Children of Static: A Summer of Secrets in the DDR

by Lukas Mitte

Overview

A forbidden radio. A fading regime. A summer that changed everything.

In the oppressive shadow of East Germany, Tomek just wanted a normal summer—bike rides, lake swims, and harmless mischief. But when he and his friends stumble upon a mysterious Western shortwave radio, they uncover more than just static. They hear freedom.

With each broadcast from beyond the Iron Curtain, curiosity turns to obsession. As the whispers of forbidden truth grow louder, so does the risk. Are the Stasi watching or is it just paranoia? The lines between childhood games and quiet resistance begin to blur.

Set in the simmering summer of 1986, Children of Static is a nostalgic, heart-pounding coming-of-age tale where loyalty, courage, and fear collide. It's about the moments that shape us, the choices that define us, and the secrets that echo long after the static fades.

�� Perfect for fans of historical fiction, Cold War intrigue, and stories of quiet rebellion told through the eyes of youth.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940184647258
Publisher:	Lukas Mitte
Publication date:	05/28/2025
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	438 KB

About the Author

Lukas Mitte grew up in 1980s Poland, where closed borders, coal dust, and quiet resilience shaped both his early imagination and his understanding of the world. Raised during a time of curfews, ration lines, and whispered radio signals, he found freedom not in borders crossed, but in the stories people told around the table.

As an adult, Lukas built a life that took him far beyond the fences of his childhood. Working as a logistics specialist, he spent over two decades traveling the globe—from Europe to the Middle East and Southeast Asia—navigating both ports and people with curiosity and a deep respect for local culture. Whether over tea in a desert outpost or street food in Bangkok, Lukas learned that the soul of a place is often found in its food, its laughter, and its unguarded stories.

Children of Static: A Summer of Secrets in the DDR is his first novel, a deeply personal work that blends historical memory with the universal experience of growing up in a world full of quiet rules and loud questions. Lukas writes with a nostalgic lens, believing that fiction, like food, is best shared across differences—with warmth, honesty, and an open mind.

He currently lives in Florida, where he continues to write, cook, and listen closely to the stories people carry