Friedrich (novel) facts for kids

Friedrich (which was first published in German as Damals war es Friedrich) is a story about two boys and their families. It shows how they grow up together during Hitler's rise to power and his time ruling Germany in the 1930s. The book was written by Hans Peter Richter and first came out in 1961.

Plot Overview

The story follows Friedrich Schneider, a young Jewish boy living in an apartment building in Germany. His neighbor and friend is the narrator, who tells the story. The book starts in 1925 and ends in 1942, when the narrator is 17 years old. Even though the narrator (who is not Jewish) tells the story, Friedrich is the main character.

The narrator describes how Jewish people were treated unfairly through Friedrich's experiences. Friedrich is forced to leave his regular school and attend a Jewish school. He is also banned from public places like swimming pools and movie theaters. An angry crowd attacks his home, and his mother is tragically lost. His father loses his job and struggles emotionally.

Friedrich finds a girlfriend named Helga, but they soon have to stop seeing each other to keep her safe. Friedrich and his father must work hard to earn money and survive. Friedrich helps his father hide a rabbi in their home. However, police later arrest Friedrich's father and the rabbi. Herr Schneider is likely sent to a concentration camp, a type of prison where people were held against their will.

Friedrich is not home when the police arrive, so he must go into hiding. During an air raid, Friedrich tries to get into the air-raid shelter but is turned away by Herr Resch, their landlord. After the raid, the narrator and his family find Friedrich outside. He has tragically died.

Setting the Scene (1925)

The story begins by introducing a garden gnome named Polycarp. The narrator explains that he and Friedrich never met until their parents moved into the same apartment building. This building was owned by a man named Herr Johann Resch. At first, the Schneiders and the narrator's family were just neighbors. But when the narrator and Friedrich were born only a week apart, their families became good friends.

In this early part of the story, the Schneiders' religion is not mentioned. The narrator's father is unemployed, and having a new baby adds to his family's money problems. Despite this, the narrator feels loved and welcome in his home.

Potato Pancakes (1929)

When Friedrich and the narrator are four years old, Friedrich stays with the narrator's family. His mother is busy with something at City Hall. At first, the narrator doesn't want to share his toys with Friedrich. He even blocks the way to his room. But Friedrich doesn't seem to mind. He takes out a cuckoo whistle and starts blowing it. The narrator is very interested in the whistle. Friedrich gives him the whistle, and the narrator then lets Friedrich play with his toys.

Later, the two boys help the narrator's mother make potato pancakes. They both want the first pancake. When Friedrich accidentally drops it, they decide to share it from the floor. Because of the mess, the mother lets them take a bath together. Both boys really enjoy this. This moment helps build their strong friendship.

Snow (1929)

Winter arrives, bringing lots of snow. It's so deep that only the top of Polycarp, Herr Resch's garden gnome, can be seen. The narrator sees Friedrich and his mother playing in the snow. He asks his own mother to hurry and take him outside. However, his mother is busy with her work. When she finally finishes, she goes out with the narrator to play in the snow.

Grandfather (1930)

Hans's grandfather comes to visit. He learns that Hans plays with Friedrich, who is Jewish. Hans's grandfather tells Hans not to play with Friedrich anymore. However, no one in the family truly listens to this rule.

Friday Evening (1930)

After playing with Friedrich all day, Hans stays for most of a traditional Jewish Friday night celebration, known as the Sabbath. He gets to see how Jewish people worship and what they do during their Sabbath dinner. Hans politely leaves shortly after his own mother comes home.

School Begins (1931)

On the first day of school, after classes end, Hans and Friedrich's families spend a day at the amusement park. Hans and his family are not wealthy, so they feel a bit uncomfortable with the Schneiders' generosity. This makes them feel even poorer. When Hans's father finally gets a chance to buy everyone photos and licorice, his family has to skip lunch.

The Way to School (1933)

Friedrich and Hans see a doctor's sign with the word "Jew" written over it. They go to tell the doctor, but he already knows about it. They then see a crowd of people outside a shop. They push through and see a man with a Swastika symbol on his arm. He is blocking the door with a sign that says "Don't buy from Jews." An old lady pushes past the man, saying she wants to buy from the shop. Everyone stares at her.

The Jungvolk (1933)

Hans and Friedrich attend a Hitler Youth camp. The leader there explains why Jewish people are supposedly Germany's enemies. While all the other young people can easily repeat this idea, Friedrich finds it very hard to say. This is the first time Friedrich truly understands Hitler's hatred for Jewish people. He is very upset and runs out, leaving Hans to watch him go.

The Ball (1933)

Hans and Friedrich were playing with a ball. Hans accidentally threw it into a shopkeeper's window, breaking it. A crowd gathered around. The woman who owned the shop accused Friedrich of breaking her window and trying to steal. She also insulted him because he was Jewish. Hans immediately said that he broke the window and that Friedrich was not trying to steal. The woman did not believe him. Someone had called the police. The woman explained the supposed "burglary" to the police, leaving out her insults about Jewish people. Herr Schneider arrived and agreed to pay for the damage, if the police would let Friedrich go free.

Conversation On The Stairs (1933)

Herr Resch confronts Herr Schneider on the apartment building's stairs. He tells them to leave and asks Hans's father to confirm this. Hans's father denies it. Herr Schneider reminds Herr Resch about their tenant agreement, but Herr Resch does not care. Herr Schneider begs for more time to find another apartment.

Herr Schneider (1933)

Herr Schneider loses his job because he is Jewish.

The Hearing (1933)

Herr Resch takes Herr Schneider to court, trying to force him to move out of the apartment. In court, Herr Resch's lawyer reveals that Herr Schneider is Jewish. However, Herr Schneider also points out that he has lived in Herr Resch's house for ten years, and Herr Resch had no problem with it until recently. In the end, Herr Schneider is allowed to stay in the house. At this point, Friedrich suddenly cries out. The judge calls Friedrich forward and promises him that justice will be done.