The Book Thief by Markus Zusak Zusak, M. (2005). The book thief. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf.
Summary: Markus Zusak has a work of genius in The Book Thief. The narrator of this story is Death and he tells the story extremely well. Death finds himself in need of distraction from the “leftover humans”, the ones who survive. Through the eyes of Death, Zusak tells the story of a little girl, Liesel, living outside of Munich in Nazi Germany. Liesel is extraordinarily brave and begins stealing books the Nazis are burning and shares them with her neighbors and a Jewish man that is hidden in her basement. The Book Thief is one that you cannot put down, as you constantly want to know what will happen next. Zusak takes you through the trials and tribulations of this little girl and gives the story a refreshing angle that makes it impossible to set aside. Commentary: This book will be required reading for the entire class. Ideally, an integrated curriculum where this book is being read in an English class while the Holocaust is being studied in a history class would be beneficial. If that is not possible, each student should be required to read this book. The teacher can allow time in class for silent reading. Each student will then be required to write a research paper based on German propaganda and the truth behind Germans burning books. They students could also choose to write a research paper about how/if/where this is still happening in the modern world.
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne Boyne, J. (2006). The boy in the striped pajamas. New York, NY: David Fickling Books.
Summary:
In this book, John Boyne tells the story of friendship found in the oddest of places. It shows how children are able to view others through eyes not covered with a film of prejudice. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is told from the view of a nine-year old boy named Bruno who is the son of one of Hitler’s top soldiers. The story takes place at Auschwitz, which Bruno refers to as ‘Out-With’. He befriends a boy on the other side of the fence, who he then begins to take food to. The story ends in a heartbreaking twist that leaves the reader feeling a deep loss. Commentary: Because of the length and reading level are low for this book, it will be read in class. The teacher can choose to use different strategies throughout the reading of this book such as reader's theatre, text to self - text to world - text to text, picture mapping and so on.
The Man from the Other Side by Uri Orlev Orlev, U. (1990). The man from the other side. Boston, MA: Houghton Mufflin Company.
Summary: In The Man from the Other Side, Uri Orlev does an amazing job of telling the story a Polish journalist who he met later in his life. What makes this story amazing is that while it is about a boy on the outside of the Warsaw Ghetto, Orlev was one of the many Jews on the inside. The story is about a young boy who helps his father sneak food into the Ghetto. This boy later becomes involved in the blackmailing of a Jew who was seen escaping the Ghetto. Orlev makes the reader feel the emotions that the characters experience and by doing this helps you understand how many people were called upon to act on their own personal morals and beliefs even if they placed them in danger. Commentary: This book will be offered as an outside reading option for extra credit. After reading the book the student will then turn in a creative writing essay from a different point of view in relation to the Holocaust or World War II. For example, the student can write from the view of U.S. soldier, German soldier or rescuer in any country that the Germans occupied. Factual information will need to be included for full participation points.
Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli Spinelli, J. (2003). Milkweed. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf.
Summary:
In Milkweed, Jerry Spinelli tells the story of a young boy with many different names. Through the eyes of this young orphan, Spinelli is able to paint a picture of a war torn Warsaw and how differently eyes of different ages view things. Commentary: This book will should be used as a readers' theatre because of the rich conversations included in the story. Have the students volunteer for the roles and then work together to write up speaking parts from a specific chapter of their choosing. After giving the group enough time, they will participate in the theatre in front of the class. After the volunteers are finished, the teacher should ask the class to discuss the reading and why they believe the group chose that specific passage and how it relates to the Holocaust or World War II.
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry Lowry, L. (1989). Number the stars. Boston, MA: Houghton Mufflin Company.
Summary: In this book by Lois Lowry portrays true friendship, loyalty and many great acts of valor on the part of one specific family and a whole country. The book Number the Stars tells the story of a family in Denmark who takes in one of their children’s friends. Lowry does a remarkable job of telling the story of Annemarie and her friend Ellen. This book tells of the heroic lengths of the Danish resistance and how they smuggled thousands of people into Sweden. By telling the story through the eyes of a child, Lowry makes it relatable to children of all ages. Commentary: As this book in generally read in elementary or high school, the teacher should choose a specific chapter or passage that is connected by some historical significance. For example, how the citizens of Denmark risked their lives to ensure the safety of Jewish people into Sweden. The class will discuss the passage and its relevance to the Holocaust and World War II. Young Adult Novels
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Zusak, M. (2005). The book thief. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf.
Summary:
Markus Zusak has a work of genius in The Book Thief. The narrator of this story is Death and he tells the story extremely well. Death finds himself in need of distraction from the “leftover humans”, the ones who survive. Through the eyes of Death, Zusak tells the story of a little girl, Liesel, living outside of Munich in Nazi Germany. Liesel is extraordinarily brave and begins stealing books the Nazis are burning and shares them with her neighbors and a Jewish man that is hidden in her basement. The Book Thief is one that you cannot put down, as you constantly want to know what will happen next. Zusak takes you through the trials and tribulations of this little girl and gives the story a refreshing angle that makes it impossible to set aside.
Commentary:
This book will be required reading for the entire class. Ideally, an integrated curriculum where this book is being read in an English class while the Holocaust is being studied in a history class would be beneficial. If that is not possible, each student should be required to read this book. The teacher can allow time in class for silent reading. Each student will then be required to write a research paper based on German propaganda and the truth behind Germans burning books. They students could also choose to write a research paper about how/if/where this is still happening in the modern world.
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne
Boyne, J. (2006). The boy in the striped pajamas. New York, NY: David Fickling Books.
Summary:
In this book, John Boyne tells the story of friendship found in the oddest of places. It shows how children are able to view others through eyes not covered with a film of prejudice. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is told from the view of a nine-year old boy named Bruno who is the son of one of Hitler’s top soldiers. The story takes place at Auschwitz, which Bruno refers to as ‘Out-With’. He befriends a boy on the other side of the fence, who he then begins to take food to. The story ends in a heartbreaking twist that leaves the reader feeling a deep loss.
Commentary:
Because of the length and reading level are low for this book, it will be read in class. The teacher can choose to use different strategies throughout the reading of this book such as reader's theatre, text to self - text to world - text to text, picture mapping and so on.
The Man from the Other Side by Uri Orlev
Orlev, U. (1990). The man from the other side. Boston, MA: Houghton Mufflin Company.
Summary:
In The Man from the Other Side, Uri Orlev does an amazing job of telling the story a Polish journalist who he met later in his life. What makes this story amazing is that while it is about a boy on the outside of the Warsaw Ghetto, Orlev was one of the many Jews on the inside. The story is about a young boy who helps his father sneak food into the Ghetto. This boy later becomes involved in the blackmailing of a Jew who was seen escaping the Ghetto. Orlev makes the reader feel the emotions that the characters experience and by doing this helps you understand how many people were called upon to act on their own personal morals and beliefs even if they placed them in danger.
Commentary:
This book will be offered as an outside reading option for extra credit. After reading the book the student will then turn in a creative writing essay from a different point of view in relation to the Holocaust or World War II. For example, the student can write from the view of U.S. soldier, German soldier or rescuer in any country that the Germans occupied. Factual information will need to be included for full participation points.
Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli
Spinelli, J. (2003). Milkweed. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf.
Summary:
In Milkweed, Jerry Spinelli tells the story of a young boy with many different names. Through the eyes of this young orphan, Spinelli is able to paint a picture of a war torn Warsaw and how differently eyes of different ages view things.
Commentary:
This book will should be used as a readers' theatre because of the rich conversations included in the story. Have the students volunteer for the roles and then work together to write up speaking parts from a specific chapter of their choosing. After giving the group enough time, they will participate in the theatre in front of the class. After the volunteers are finished, the teacher should ask the class to discuss the reading and why they believe the group chose that specific passage and how it relates to the Holocaust or World War II.
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
Lowry, L. (1989). Number the stars. Boston, MA: Houghton Mufflin Company.
Summary:
In this book by Lois Lowry portrays true friendship, loyalty and many great acts of valor on the part of one specific family and a whole country. The book Number the Stars tells the story of a family in Denmark who takes in one of their children’s friends. Lowry does a remarkable job of telling the story of Annemarie and her friend Ellen. This book tells of the heroic lengths of the Danish resistance and how they smuggled thousands of people into Sweden. By telling the story through the eyes of a child, Lowry makes it relatable to children of all ages.
Commentary:
As this book in generally read in elementary or high school, the teacher should choose a specific chapter or passage that is connected by some historical significance. For example, how the citizens of Denmark risked their lives to ensure the safety of Jewish people into Sweden. The class will discuss the passage and its relevance to the Holocaust and World War II.
Young Adult Novels