As we read The Hiding Place, please choose a second book to read about World War II or the Holocaust. You can choose from this list or bring another to Mrs. Oster to be accepted. (There are so many!)
Choose a book, read it, fill in the WWII Book Review handout, and come to class prepared to read your handout aloud to the class.
PROJECT DUE DECEMBER 5/7
Comments on this list are by Samantha, a former homeschooler, who blogs at Learning in Color: http://learnincolor.com/list-holocaust-books-grades-5-9-rated-reviewed.html
Choose a book, read it, fill in the WWII Book Review handout, and come to class prepared to read your handout aloud to the class.
PROJECT DUE DECEMBER 5/7
Comments on this list are by Samantha, a former homeschooler, who blogs at Learning in Color: http://learnincolor.com/list-holocaust-books-grades-5-9-rated-reviewed.html
Daniel’s Story by Carol Matas*
Part Elie Wiesel (Night) and part Anne Frank, this is one of my favorite Holocaust fiction books. Although it has obvious historical violence, this is a fantastic story of a teenager’s journey through two concentration camps, the infamous Auschwitz Birkenau and Buchenwald.
Part Elie Wiesel (Night) and part Anne Frank, this is one of my favorite Holocaust fiction books. Although it has obvious historical violence, this is a fantastic story of a teenager’s journey through two concentration camps, the infamous Auschwitz Birkenau and Buchenwald.
Behind the Bedroom Wall by Laura WilliamsYoung Hitler Youth member Korinna discovers her parents are hiding Jews in her bedroom wall! During a time when Hitler Youth children are required to report any “suspicious” activity to their Hitler Youth leaders, Korinna must decide what she will do.
Beyond Courage by Doreen Rappaport*
For some reason, a common myth is Jews did very little to resist the Nazis and went like sheep to the slaughter. Rappaport includes many little-known stories about Jewish resistance during the Holocaust. Not only did she cover well-known Jewish resistance like the classic escapes, the Sondorkommando uprising, the Jewish partisans and the Warsaw Ghetto uprising, she profiles other little-known but fascinating escapes and incredible stories!
For some reason, a common myth is Jews did very little to resist the Nazis and went like sheep to the slaughter. Rappaport includes many little-known stories about Jewish resistance during the Holocaust. Not only did she cover well-known Jewish resistance like the classic escapes, the Sondorkommando uprising, the Jewish partisans and the Warsaw Ghetto uprising, she profiles other little-known but fascinating escapes and incredible stories!
The Boy on the Wooden Box by Leon Leyson*
This memoir is written by one of the youngest Jews on Schindler’s List. 10 year-old Leon Leyson, both of his parents, and two of his siblings survived the war. This is one memoir I keep coming back to, and one I would highly recommend!
This memoir is written by one of the youngest Jews on Schindler’s List. 10 year-old Leon Leyson, both of his parents, and two of his siblings survived the war. This is one memoir I keep coming back to, and one I would highly recommend!
Women Heroes of WWII by Kathryn Atwood*
This collection of 26 women from WWII is definitely not your average biography book. The stories are extremely interesting and profile brave and admirable women. Meet a teenager who hid 13 Jews in their attic for over two years. Meet a college student who was executed for spreading anti-Nazi leaflets. There are also extra resources so you can look into your favorite stories, either by watching the movie or reading more books.
The Diary of Anne Frank by Anne Frank
This classic, bestselling memoir has been read by millions across the globe. Anne Frank is a young girl who wrote this memoir while hiding from the Nazis.
Four Perfect Pebbles by Lila Perl
For six years, Lila and her family moved across a variety of refugee, transit, and prison camps, before finally emigrating to America after the war. The story isn’t as detailed or graphic as some books.
For six years, Lila and her family moved across a variety of refugee, transit, and prison camps, before finally emigrating to America after the war. The story isn’t as detailed or graphic as some books.
Hitler Youth: Growing up in Hitler’s Shadow by Susan Campbell Bartoletti*
I believe every child should learn about the Hitler Youth. This informational book is a great way to start, as it introduces readers to the roots of Nazi Germany, Hitler Youth, and this effective brainwashing. I also enjoyed how Bartoletti also included some stories of teenagers who resisted Hitler. This was a Newbery Honor book.
Code Name Pauline by Kathryn AtwoodPearl Witherington Cornioley shares her remarkable story of her experience as a special agent for the British Special Operations Executive (SOE). From a difficult childhood to her recruitment as a special agent and the logistics of parachuting into a remote rural area —each chapter also includes helpful opening remarks to provide context and background on the SOE and the French Resistance.
I believe every child should learn about the Hitler Youth. This informational book is a great way to start, as it introduces readers to the roots of Nazi Germany, Hitler Youth, and this effective brainwashing. I also enjoyed how Bartoletti also included some stories of teenagers who resisted Hitler. This was a Newbery Honor book.
Code Name Pauline by Kathryn AtwoodPearl Witherington Cornioley shares her remarkable story of her experience as a special agent for the British Special Operations Executive (SOE). From a difficult childhood to her recruitment as a special agent and the logistics of parachuting into a remote rural area —each chapter also includes helpful opening remarks to provide context and background on the SOE and the French Resistance.
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
Number the Stars is a classic story about a Danish girl and her family, and her Jewish friend she helps save. It was written more for elementary students, but is a great introduction to the Holocaust. It is also a Newbery winner.
Number the Stars is a classic story about a Danish girl and her family, and her Jewish friend she helps save. It was written more for elementary students, but is a great introduction to the Holocaust. It is also a Newbery winner.
Survivors by Allan ZulloThis may be a bit too young for this age group, but Survivors a fantastic little book with 9 children survivor’s stories. Their stories are each different and unique, ranging from life in hiding to a few who survived the concentration camps.
Escape From Warsaw by Ian Serraillier
Originally titled The Silver Sword, this was one of the first Holocaust books I read. Partially based on a true story, it tells the adventure-filled tale of three Polish siblings who are separated from their parents. The three siblings’ mission is to get to free and neutral Switzerland.
Originally titled The Silver Sword, this was one of the first Holocaust books I read. Partially based on a true story, it tells the adventure-filled tale of three Polish siblings who are separated from their parents. The three siblings’ mission is to get to free and neutral Switzerland.
Hiding to Survive by Maxine Rosenberg
This is a collection of biographies of hidden children during the Holocaust that I quite enjoyed. 99% of France’s Jewish children survived the Holocaust, mostly due to the brave men and women who cared for them.
This is a collection of biographies of hidden children during the Holocaust that I quite enjoyed. 99% of France’s Jewish children survived the Holocaust, mostly due to the brave men and women who cared for them.
I Have Lived a Thousand Years by Livia Bitton-Jackson
This is one of my favorite Holocaust memoirs, mostly because I related a lot to Livia’s pre-war life. This made the book a lot more real – and this is definitely my favorite female Holocaust memoir. There are also two follow-ups, but I haven’t read them yet.
This is one of my favorite Holocaust memoirs, mostly because I related a lot to Livia’s pre-war life. This made the book a lot more real – and this is definitely my favorite female Holocaust memoir. There are also two follow-ups, but I haven’t read them yet.
In My Enemy’s House by Carol Matas
Although Marisa is Jewish, her blond hair and blue eyes allow her to pass as Aryan. To save her life, Marisa ends up working in a Nazi family’s household. It has great characters, a great plot, and is easy to follow.
Although Marisa is Jewish, her blond hair and blue eyes allow her to pass as Aryan. To save her life, Marisa ends up working in a Nazi family’s household. It has great characters, a great plot, and is easy to follow.
The Boy Who Dared by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
Based on the true story of Helmuth Hubener, The Boy Who Dared is written in flashback. I wasn’t the biggest fan of the writing style, but it tells the inspiring story of three brave teenagers who spoke out against Hitler by writing illegal anti-Nazi pamphlets.
Based on the true story of Helmuth Hubener, The Boy Who Dared is written in flashback. I wasn’t the biggest fan of the writing style, but it tells the inspiring story of three brave teenagers who spoke out against Hitler by writing illegal anti-Nazi pamphlets.
When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit by Judith Kerr
Inspired by the author’s life, a nine year old girl and her family must flee to Switzerland in pre-WWII. It offers an introduction on why they were forced to move and shows their struggles adapting to a new land.
Inspired by the author’s life, a nine year old girl and her family must flee to Switzerland in pre-WWII. It offers an introduction on why they were forced to move and shows their struggles adapting to a new land.
Prisoner B-3087 by Alan Gratz*
I’ve read several of Alan Gratz’s novels and have never been disappointed. In this true story, we follow along the journey of a teenager who survives ten different concentration camps and two death marches. It’s beautifully written, amazing story, and Jack had a sense of humanity that I found quite wonderful that really set this apart from other Holocaust stories.
Surviving Hitler by Andrea Warren
This amazing story is about 12 year-old Jack Mandelbaum’s journey and survival through a concentration camp. It took me about two hours to read, but is a touching story with many lessons for today.
I’ve read several of Alan Gratz’s novels and have never been disappointed. In this true story, we follow along the journey of a teenager who survives ten different concentration camps and two death marches. It’s beautifully written, amazing story, and Jack had a sense of humanity that I found quite wonderful that really set this apart from other Holocaust stories.
Surviving Hitler by Andrea Warren
This amazing story is about 12 year-old Jack Mandelbaum’s journey and survival through a concentration camp. It took me about two hours to read, but is a touching story with many lessons for today.
Projekt 1065 by Alan Gratz*
13 year old Michael is the son of the Irish ambassador in Germany. To gain access to top secret blueprints, he joins the Hitler Youth as a spy. This book is action packed and fast paced. It gives great background on the Hitler Youth and brings up a great morality and ethics discussion.
13 year old Michael is the son of the Irish ambassador in Germany. To gain access to top secret blueprints, he joins the Hitler Youth as a spy. This book is action packed and fast paced. It gives great background on the Hitler Youth and brings up a great morality and ethics discussion.
Irena’s Children by Mary Cronk Farrell
Catholic social worker Irena Sendler smuggled 2,500 Jewish children out of the Warsaw Ghetto. She and all of the children survived. Here is her incredible story. There’s also a
Catholic social worker Irena Sendler smuggled 2,500 Jewish children out of the Warsaw Ghetto. She and all of the children survived. Here is her incredible story. There’s also a
Parallel Journeys by Eleanor Ayers*
Parallel Journeys follows two journeys during the Holocaust; a female Jewish Holocaust survivor, and a male Hitler Youth. They both were born miles away from each other, but had drastically different experiences during the war. I loved this dual perspective.
Parallel Journeys follows two journeys during the Holocaust; a female Jewish Holocaust survivor, and a male Hitler Youth. They both were born miles away from each other, but had drastically different experiences during the war. I loved this dual perspective.
The Nazi Hunters by Neal Bascomb
After WWII, the world wanted the most notorious Nazi criminals caught, tried, and executed. This thrilling story tells the true story of spies and survivors who hunted Eichmann, the architect of the Holocaust.
Once by Morris Gleitzman
Felix is a Jewish boy living in Germany in 1942, living in a Catholic orphanage. He is oblivious to the war around him, which turns dangerous when he goes out to warn his parents when he believes they are in danger. This is the first in a quartet. This is a popular book for middle schoolers, but I felt it wasn’t as good as many others I’ve read. It also showed the horrors more than others on this list.
Felix is a Jewish boy living in Germany in 1942, living in a Catholic orphanage. He is oblivious to the war around him, which turns dangerous when he goes out to warn his parents when he believes they are in danger. This is the first in a quartet. This is a popular book for middle schoolers, but I felt it wasn’t as good as many others I’ve read. It also showed the horrors more than others on this list.
Things We Couldn’t Say by Diet Eman*
Although very similar to The Hiding Place, I enjoyed Diet’s memoir much better. Diet (pronounced deet) Eman was a young Dutch woman during WWII, and actively fought in the Resistance. Despite being arrested and taken to a concentration camp, Diet Eman’s faith led her through.
Although very similar to The Hiding Place, I enjoyed Diet’s memoir much better. Diet (pronounced deet) Eman was a young Dutch woman during WWII, and actively fought in the Resistance. Despite being arrested and taken to a concentration camp, Diet Eman’s faith led her through.
Surviving the Angel of Death by Eva Kor
When only a little girl, Eva Kor faced the Angel of Death – Josef Mengele. Mengele was a Nazi scientist obsessed with twinning, as he wanted to create a perfect blond-haired blue-eye race. Kor and her twin Miriam miraculously survived. Despite harboring many years of hatred, Kor later went back and forgave the Nazis!
When only a little girl, Eva Kor faced the Angel of Death – Josef Mengele. Mengele was a Nazi scientist obsessed with twinning, as he wanted to create a perfect blond-haired blue-eye race. Kor and her twin Miriam miraculously survived. Despite harboring many years of hatred, Kor later went back and forgave the Nazis!
The Book Thief by Markuz Zusak
Narrated by death, this story follows eleven year-old Liesel, a young foster girl living in Munich, Germany. As a self-proclaimed “book thief,” Liesel uses books to bond with neighbors during bombing raids and the Jewish man hiding in her basement.
A few more:
Narrated by death, this story follows eleven year-old Liesel, a young foster girl living in Munich, Germany. As a self-proclaimed “book thief,” Liesel uses books to bond with neighbors during bombing raids and the Jewish man hiding in her basement.
A few more:
- Alicia by Alicia Appleman
- Between Shades of Grey by Ruta Sepetys
- The Endless Steppe by Esther Hautzig
- Shadows in His Hands by Wendy Lawton
- Farewell to Manzanar by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston
- I Survived #9: I Survived the Nazi Invasion, 1944
- Waldek by Blanca Miosi
- Ursula’s Prism by Anne Block
- Snow Treasure by Marie McSwigan
- I Will Plant You a Lilac Tree by Laura Hillman
Is the Boy in Striped Pajamas okay?
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