The novel has been cited by multiple scholars in the field of education for its lessons on activism and the Danish resistance during World War II.

[2][3] Lars is trying to get into a club called the St. Petri group, which is against the Nazis and Adolf Hitler taking over Denmark, his home.

And meanwhile, Lars finds a German Luger (gun) which was stolen by a boy named Otto Hvidemann, who later joins the St.Petri group.

Gunnar then put the gun to his head and told him “I personally, have shot ten Germans tonight.

So one more isn’t going to make much difference.” [7] The doctor finally complied to the boys' requests and patched up Otto's arm, and as they were leaving Gunner said if you tell anyone, you are dead.

All the boys got on their bike and rode to the brewery where they sat against the wall talking and listening to the sounds of the sirens from the German airfield that they had triggered hours before.

The young boy soldier who they had let live the previous day was also with the men and this made Lars and Gunner very nervous.

[8] The Nazi German does not intimidate Gunnar or his little Brother when he starts threatening them with bad intentions, and discreetly telling them he knew what the boys were up to.

All the boys planned to sneak away from the school play and run to the railroad tracks where a large train would arrive with a lot of important military machinery.

Lars yelled to him to forget about it but Otto did not listen, he was insisting on setting off the bomb and ran faster for the tracks.

Lars was placed into a cell and the next day united with the other group members as they were marched across the camp to a black armed car.