Reviews (6)

Riveting Story of Diversity
This is a companion book to the documentary about the Paper Clip project started at Whitwell Middle School outside of Chattanooga, Tennessee, in the late 1990s.What began as a class to teach diversity to a mostly white southern group of schoolchildren evolved into a project of collecting 6 million paper clips (the clips are historically tied to the Holocaust) to represent the Jews who perished during that dark period.This book is a wonderful story that shows what can be accomplished when children are determined and how a relatively small idea can grow into something significant that can affect millions of people.This one is highly recommended for children of all ages.

Deserves 10 stars
I happened upon a review and ordered the book. When it arrived, I read it with a lump in my throat and my eyes tearing up.My 72 year old mother and I were driving to another town when I started telling her about it.I couldn't get that damn lump out of my throat and pretty soon my voice started quivering and I started crying. She just reached over and held my hand as I got my composure back.I was done, though, I told her she had to read it.She did. Afterward, she took it to one of her clubs and shared it.It's just a 10 minute read, but it sure provides plenty of emotion. I am so glad I happened upon it. A glorious story. Thank you.

The power of a symbol.
Those of us who are horrified by the murderous actions of the Nazis during the Holocaust pray that such a terrible event will never happen again.It is heartening to know that there are a number of middle school children in Whitwell, Tennessee who did their share to raise the consciousness of people from all over the world.Whitwell, a small town of white Anglo-Saxon Protestants with a population of only 1,600, is now internationally famous for its "Paper Clip Project."
Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - History - General    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    3. Children: Grades 3-4    4. Ethnic relations    5. History - Holocaust    6. Holocaust    7. Holocaust memorials    8. Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)    9. Juvenile Nonfiction    10. Juvenile literature    11. Religion - Judaism    12. Social Issues - Prejudice & Racism    13. Study and teaching (Elementary    14. Study and teaching (Elementary)    15. Tennesee    16. Whitwell    17. Whitwell (Tenn.)    18. Jewish studies   

Reviews (4)

Education to those not knowing
This book explains the depth the Nazis went to get rid of whole nationalities,races and religions. It teaches readers young and old of how awful the circumstances where and how some survived. They have beautiful pictures, and vivid accounts of survivors. I would recommend this for schools and young children. Some children dont see the importance of this and they will learn that they should not repeat this cruel history, we teach them to learn from past mistakes to prevent the end of the future.

One of the Best Holocaust books to read
This book gives a good explanation of the Holocaust with pictures and everything. I've read many a Holocaust book and this one is one of the best so if your looking for a Holocaust book look no more this is the one.

An inncredible book
To start of this is an very inncredible book. It is ashamed it had to happen, but that is how life is. The book explains great detail of the Holocaust. When I first read this book I wanted to cry it is so emotional. If I had the chance to go back in time I would run away for all of this hatred.I really enjoyed this book, and I really like how Susan wrote it. Next time I will by another good book from her. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children    2. Children's 12-Up - History - General    3. Children's Books/Young Adult Misc. Nonfiction    4. Children: Grades 3-4    5. History - Holocaust    6. Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)    7. Jewish children    8. Juvenile Nonfiction    9. Juvenile literature    10. World War, 1939-1945    11. Juvenile Nonfiction / History / Holocaust    12. The Holocaust   

Reviews (17)

GOOD, WELL RESEARCHED WORK FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
A person could well pontificate for several pages here over this particular work.I will spare you that. This is a well researched book and should be read by any young person in the study of WWII and that era.No, this work does not go into some of the agonizing details of this particular Nazi program, it was not meant to do so.This is an introduction for you young reader and is a wonderful tool to stimulate further reading and research on the readers part.If a young person is bright enough to read this work, the same young person is bright enough to ask all the right questions upon it's completion.The photographs in this work are quite good.Recommend this one highly.

Mesmerizing Account
This is a very gripping book. It is good to hear some stories from the other side. Objective in nature but walking on thin ice per its subject matter this book is still good reading.
A must read for students studying World War II
This book gives new perspective to the Hitler Youth movement, but particularly for those youth who rebelled against the movement with great risk to themselves.After reviewing the book you feel as though the issue is much more complex than your previous assumptions. It accurately shows both the underground as well as the public view of the movement with riviting pictures included. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Children's 12-Up - History - General    3. Children's Books/Young Adult Misc. Nonfiction    4. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    5. Germany    6. History    7. History - Europe    8. History - Holocaust    9. History - Military & Wars    10. Hitler-Jugend    11. Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)    12. Jewish youth    13. Juvenile Nonfiction    14. Juvenile literature    15. National socialism and youth    16. Juvenile Nonfiction / History / Europe   

Reviews (33)

A photo memoir of Anne Franks' life
A nice little book about the life of a 16 year old girl killed by the Nazis.Despite the fact that Anne was persecuted and made to live in horrible conditions, she still maintained her humanity.Her killers however lost their humanity.This was a sad tale of a teenage girl living a life she should not have had to live.
A Great Resource For Learning A bout The Holocaust
I am in Sixth Grade and when my teacher started talking about some day in March and when she asked us "does anybody know what today is" only the war-historian in our class knew. It was holocaust remberance day...and I had no idea! We started this book and I started learning all these new things about the holocaust, what it was and how horribile it was. If you have the guts to read a 100% true book about the holocaust, then this is A GREAT BUY! BUY THIS FOR YOURSELF OR AS A TEACHING RESOURCE...IT'S GREAT!!!

Anne Frank the Diary of a Young Girl
I rated this book a five because while you read it makes you relize that you are so lucky you weren't born in those very tragic times.It made me think about how easy I, and others have it.I love this book because it teaches me about other peoples lives and how hard it was for them.I also think that it was well written and easy to understand.I'm not positive that you will like this book because of how sad and frightning the tale is, but if you are anything like me you will have your face stuck in a book 'till your done. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Amsterdam    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography - General    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Children's Books/Young Adult Biography    6. Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)    7. Jews    8. Juvenile literature    9. Netherlands    10. Pictorial works    11. Europe    12. Historical figures    13. Juvenile Nonfiction / Biography & Autobiography / Historical    14. World history: from c 1900 -   

Reviews (2)

A great mythology - but one that denies the truth of Columbus' conquest
The story presented here is not surprising, as it recounts the traditional, accepted tale of Columbus' journey.It focuses on Columbus as a person, his desires, struggles, and eventual "success."
A good beginning but Adler leaves out important details.
With great illustrations, Adler gives us the bare facts of Columbus' life, however, he leaves out the passion of the man that children can really appreciate.Furthermore, Adler "forgets" that 1 reason Columbussailed was to find new lands but another reason was to win converts toChrist.This & other historical information is lacking in his book. Iwas left with more questions than answers based on this book & will belooking elsewhere for these important answers.I wish the end of the bookhad a "parents note" with a synopsis of Columbus' life in moredetail. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. America    2. Biography & Autobiography - Historical    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    4. Children: Grades 1-2    5. Columbus, Christopher    6. Explorers    7. History - Exploration & Discovery    8. History - Holocaust    9. Juvenile Nonfiction    10. Juvenile literature    11. Pictorial works    12. Spain   

Reviews (11)

Hana's Suitcase
This children's book (age 10+)is an engaging story, almost a mystery/detective story about a Czech girl named Hana who dies in the Holocaust.It is an unusual story because it begins in Tokyo with the curator of a newly created Holocaust museum who is curious about the name on a suitcase from Auschwitz.She wants the people of Japan to understand the story of the Holocaust, especially children.The children wanted to know about Hana.The book has many photographs of Hana and her family. Each chapter answered questions in my mind but then created even more questions.Who was Hana?How did the author get the photographs?Did she survive the Holocaust?What was Hana like?

VERY GOOD BOOK ITS A HAVE TO READ!!!
i read this book and it was very emotional for me. I learned a lot about the holocaust and i got inside views from people in the holocaust themselfs. I loved this book and its a have to read!
Hana's Suitcase
I was enchanted reading this remarkabletrue story.The resourcefulness, tenacity, andthe ability to survive under the the circumstances never ceases to amaze me.The final chapter was a source of joy for me. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography - Cultural Heritage    3. Biography & Autobiography - Historical    4. Brady, Hana    5. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Biography    6. Children: Grades 3-4    7. Czech Republic    8. History - Holocaust    9. Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)    10. Japan    11. Jewish children in the Holocaust    12. Juvenile Nonfiction    13. Juvenile literature    14. Nove Mesto nad Metuji    15. Novâe Méesto nad Metujâi    16. Study and teaching    17. Ishioka, Fumiko   

Reviews (92)

Good Book The Cage *******
This book The Cage by Ruth Minksy Sender is a good book not great but good. It is a good history book about the struggles of jews during the Holocaust. Its is sutable for all readers any age. I recommend to learn about World War 2 1st beccause than u will understand the book better.
A Must Read!
This book is great! I haven't fisihned reading it because we are reading it as a class so I can't read ahead too much, but I want too! Riva and her brothers have such devotion for each other, I awsome. Trust me it's a great read. It's about how she is put in a ghetto with her family, but loses them before and when she is deported with her remaining 2 brothers who are separated from her too. Thats all I'll tell you. She tells the story really well though, I love the book!!!

Heart-Wrenching but with a good ending
I read this book straight in 3 hours!I was absolutely engrossed in the story that I could not put it down.In fact, it had such an impact on me that after I had read the book, went to bed, I had nightmares that I was actually running away from the Nazis!
Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography - Historical    2. Children's Books/Young Adult Biography    3. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    4. History - Holocaust    5. Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)    6. Juvenile Nonfiction    7. Juvenile literature    8. Personal narratives    9. Poland    10. ¡âodâz    11. Juvenile Nonfiction / History / Holocaust   

Reviews (1)

history as cruel as people
a remarkable work israel bernbaum has produced by this book. after having escaped the warsaw ghetto, he fled to the sowiet union and later to paris and in the end went to the usa, he found the courage and the personality to describe the horror and the unbelievable pain in simple words and verystrong pictures. this book, addressed to his children turns out to be anessential for all children anywhere in the world. As a very personal viewat the fate of the tremendous number of jewish people suffering, fightingand dying in the warsaw ghetto, he still ends up without hatred. instead heis pleading for respect against every person regardless of nationality,race, colour or religion. small wonder former president of germany, richardvon weizs�cker, expressed utmost respect for the book to isarel bernbaum.the book was awarded the german youth book price of the year 1995.Read more

Subjects:  1. Bernbaum, Israel    2. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    3. Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)    4. Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945),    5. Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945), in art    6. Individual Painters - 20th Century    7. Juvenile literature    8. Warsaw (Poland)   

Reviews (18)

We Are Witnesses
I am not a big fan of non-fiction history books. I find them hard to concentrate on because there are so many facts that they become overwhelming. But We Are Witnesses is a non-fiction history book that I liked. First, I liked it because it was set during WWII, which is something I am interested in. Secondly, this book is about five teenagers, which I can relate to because I am in the same age group. Each of their diaries was found. They all were Jewish, they all died.
Keeping history alive!
This set of stories helps keep history alive for teenagers that have no concept of the depth horror that intolerance can achieve. All teens should read it!

Ok I guess
This book was OK. I had to read it for school but I agree that it had way too many narrations in it and the only thing that captured the teens' feelings and thoughts were the scant entries from their diaries. This book didn't move me at all. If the author had put more of the kids' entries in it, it might be more effective. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography - Historical    3. Children    4. Children's 12-Up - Biography / Autobiography    5. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    6. Europe, Eastern    7. History - Holocaust    8. Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)    9. Jewish teenagers    10. Juvenile Nonfiction    11. Juvenile literature    12. Personal narratives    13. World War, 1939-1945    14. Biography: general    15. Germany    16. Juvenile Nonfiction / History / General    17. The Holocaust   

Editorial Review

Nominated for a 1998 National Book Award for Young People's Literature, Read more

Reviews (32)

Wonderfully riveting Holocaust story. Life affirming!
This book is a tragic adventure. Anita Lobel recalls the arrival of the Nazis and the end of her childhood as she knew it. I was thankful this book was a fast read, the suspense of what would happen to Lobel and her brother was too much at times. The writing is beautiful and appropriate for young readers as well as adults. Beautiful photos.

A Deadly Game of Hide-and-Seek
Imagine playing hide-and seek, but you are hiding from the German Nazis because you are illegal. Every time they get close to you, a new hiding spot must be found, or your life will be put on the line. During the Holocaust, young Hanusiu played by these rules everyday. Told from a child's point of view, No Pretty Pictures is the memoir of Anita Lobel, earlier called Hanusiu, and her journey through the secrets, tears, and sacrifices of the Holocaust. Ms. Lobel did an amazing job describing everything that happened to her in those fatal years. One part that held excruciating description was when Hanusiu was forced into her first Concentration Camp. I felt as though I was walking into the camp alongside Hanusiu. The other prisoners, barracks, nervousness, and overall feeling of pain were expressed in a way that I cannot believe was seen through a child's eyes. Another major event that took place was when Hanusiu was diagnosed with tuberculosis after she had been rescued. She was forced to stay in a sanatorium for about a year and a half to cure the chronic disease. I could feel her hope and insecurities as each day passed, knowing that she might never get out. I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a clear picture of what happened during the Holocaust, supported with lots of description, and seen through a true survivor's eyes.

A Deadly Game of Hide-and-Seek
Imagine playing hide-and seek, but you are hiding from the German Nazis because you are illegal.Every time they get close to you, a new hiding spot must be found, or your life will be put on the line. During the Holocaust, young Hanusiu played by these rules everyday.Told from a child's point of view, No Pretty Pictures is the memoir of Anita Lobel, earlier called Hanusiu, and her journey through the secrets, tears, and sacrifices of the Holocaust.Ms. Lobel did an amazing job describing everything that happened to her in those fatal years.One part that held excruciating description was when Hanusiu was forced into her first Concentration Camp.I felt as though I was walking into the camp alongside Hanusiu.The other prisoners, barracks, nervousness, and overall feeling of pain were expressed in a way that I cannot believe was seen through a child's eyes.Another major event that took place was when Hanusiu was diagnosed with tuberculosis after she had been rescued.She was forced to stay in a sanatorium for about a year and a half to cure the chronic disease.I could feel her hope and insecurities as each day passed, knowing that she might never get out.I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a clear picture of what happened during the Holocaust, supported with lots of description, and seen through a true survivor's eyes. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography - Historical    3. Children's 9-12 - Biography / Autobiography    4. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Biography    5. Children: Grades 4-6    6. Family - General    7. History - Holocaust    8. Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)    9. Jewish children in the Holocaust    10. Jews    11. Juvenile Nonfiction    12. Juvenile literature    13. Krakâow    14. Personal narratives    15. Poland    16. Juvenile Nonfiction / Biography & Autobiography / Historical    17. Personal awareness: family, relationship & social issues    18. Sweden    19. World history: Second World War   

Reviews (25)

One Boy's Holocaust Survival
I enjoyed this book very much as it gave some new insight into life in the concentration camps and how certain friendships were formed.Jack Mandelbaum is an inspiration to all of us.

Surviving Hitler-- Teaching the Holocaust beyond the textbook
Surviving Hitler is written for people between the ages of 10- adults.The story is written about a real person's heroic journey during the time of the Holocaust.The author does a great job of capturing the reader with real black and white photographs accompanied by graphic details of the experiences of Janek Mandelbaum.Through these photos and texts she allows the reader to feel a sense of compassion and connection with our hero and gives the reader a much deeper understanding of the events that took place during the time of Germany's invasion.Although there are times when the reader hurts for Janek, you want to continue reading for closure.This story would be a great whole class reading while studying the events of the Holocaust.It gives an in-depth account of the events leading up to and after the Holocaust.It leaves the reader in awe thinking about all the trials and tribulations that Janek Mandelbaum went through during this 3 year long ordeal.

read this reveiw! please, its really good! trust me, if you read it you wont be sorry!
Surviving Hitler was a good book about a boy named jack. The story is about jacks life in the Nazi death camps. He travels to many different camps, some better than others. He catches a mild case of dysentery and has to eat bread with sawdust in it. After he recovers fromdysentery he is moved to another camp where he meets a boy about his age. They become good friends and fight the battle against hitler together.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography - Historical    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    4. Children: Grades 4-6    5. Gdynia    6. History - Holocaust    7. History - Military & Wars    8. Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)    9. Jewish children in the Holocaust    10. Jews    11. Juvenile Nonfiction    12. Juvenile literature    13. Personal narratives    14. Poland    15. Juvenile Nonfiction / History / Holocaust   

Reviews (9)

Classic(review by Jakob)
When reading this booki was amazed that so few would do so much for so many,Ive never heard of a story like it. What suprised me even more was that the man who saved all those Jews was a Japanese,if i remember correctly where an axis power during WW2 and allied with the Germans. This man must have really followed his heart if he was to defy his own country, and for that i really admire him

Classic(review by Jakob)
When reading this booki was amazed that so few would do so much for so many,Ive never heard of a story like it. What suprised me even more was that the man who saved all those Jews was a Japanese,if i remember correctly where an axis power during WW2 and allied with the Germans. This man must have really followed his heart if he was to defy his own country, and for that i really admire him

Sharing the positive side of Holocaust with young readers
I used this book as an introduction to the Holocaust for my 7-year-old. Rather than starting him off on the atrocities, I used this well-written and beautiful book to start him off with learning that we Jews were once in grave danger, and there were some people who took care of us when they could, even though it was a difficult choice.
Read more

Subjects:  1. 1900-1986    2. Biography & Autobiography - Cultural Heritage    3. Children's 4-8 - History - General    4. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    5. Children: Grades 2-3    6. History - Holocaust    7. Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)    8. Jews    9. Juvenile Nonfiction    10. Juvenile literature    11. Poland    12. Rescue    13. Righteous Gentiles in the Holocaust    14. Sugihara, Chiune,    15. World War, 1939-1945    16. British & Irish history: Second World War    17. British Isles    18. Sugihara, Chiune   

Editorial Review

When World War II began, Irene Gutowna was a 17-year-old Polish nursing student. Six years later, she writes in this inspiring memoir, "I felt a million years old." In the intervening time she was separated from her family, raped by Russian soldiers, and forced to work in a hotel serving German officers. Sickened by the suffering inflicted on the local Jews, Irene began leaving food under the walls of the ghetto. Soon she was scheming to protect the Jewish workers she supervised at the hotel, and then hiding them in the lavish villa where she served as housekeeper to a German major. When he discovered them in the house, Gutowna became his mistress to protect her friends--later escaping him to join the Polish partisans during the Germans' retreat. The author presents her extraordinary heroism as the inevitable result of small steps taken over time, but her readers will not agree as they consume this thrilling adventure story, which also happens to be a drama of moral choice and courage. Although adults will find Irene's tale moving, it is appropriately published as a young adult book. Her experiences while still in her teens remind adolescents everywhere that their actions count, that the power to make a difference is in their hands. Read more

Reviews (65)

Daja Vu All Over Again.
This is a true account by an Austrian child psychologist who helped to secure a safe environment for some of the multitudes of children during Hitler's Holocaust. In 1939, a group of Polish and Russian doctors had purchased some French castles to use as combined school and orphanage. Called OSE (Organization of Scientists and Educators), they attempted to save these young children of the parents in concentration camps. It is the story of survival, not of all; those who did survive bring to mind the story of the Von Trapp family as depicted in the movie, 'The Sound of Music," but multiplied many-fold.
Spellbinding
An amazing and spellbinding tale.She risked her life many, many times. Irene Gut definitely had guts!

Little-Known Polish Aid to Jews During the Holocaust
There is an unfortunate and unfair stereotype about Poles not doing enough for Jews during World War II. This book helps set the record straight by first showing that Poles were also victims of the Germans. In addition, unlike in other German-occupied countries, Poles were given the death penalty for the slightest aid to Jews. Despite all this, the heroine of this historical account risked her life every day to hide a group of Jews right under the nose of a German officer whom she was forced to serve. Absolutely thrilling!
Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Historical - General    6. Historical - Holocaust    7. Holocaust    8. Jews    9. Juvenile literature    10. Personal narratives, Polish    11. Poland    12. Rescue    13. Righteous Gentiles in the Holocaust    14. Women    15. World War, 1939-1945    16. Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs    17. Reading Group Guide   

Reviews (1)

Mercenaries of World War II
This book proves to be a well written and well illustrated book on the foreign soldiers who fought and died for Hitler's Third Reich. The author keep things simple and carefully summarized how, when and why so many various foreign nationals chooses to fight for a regime that proves to be so racially hateful. It seem to be interesting that Germans played its "anti-communist" card very well in recuiting foreign nationals to fight for them. Many volunteers from Western Europe came through that route. Fight against Stalin were another reason for the eastern Europeans to joined up with the Germans. Ethnic warfare, various form of anti-Semitic movements and desire for independence like the Indians were all part of the reasons why these foreign nationals fought for Germany. Some like Spaniards or the Italians were sent by their governments to Russia where they had a terrible time.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Young Adult Misc. Nonfiction    2. History    3. Holocaust    4. Military    5. Military - World War II    6. Photoessays & Documentaries    7. Biography & Autobiography / Military    8. European history: Second World War    9. Germany    10. Second World War, 1939-1945   

Reviews (31)

eleanor's best book ever!
WOW, what a book i would say. It's a very moving book about the memoirs of Helen Waterford and Alfons Heck during WWII.This book should be in high school history not to say only for high schoolers but 12 year olds and up.

An Aryan and Jew become friends
This book is not your usual book. It details the lives of Ayran Alfons Heck and Jewish Helen Waterford.
This is a book you can not put down!
Seriously this book is impossible to stop reading once you pass a certain point. I stayed up 'til seven in the morning reading this book. Mind you I started reading that night around ten or eleven at night. It is seriously that captivating. This book tells some very important and over-all relatively unknown facts about the period surrounding WWII. It is an intriguing and captivating book that I believe every human being high school age and older should read. I also think it should be added to high school curriculums. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 12-Up    2. Biography & Autobiography - Historical    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Biography    4. Children: Grades 4-6    5. Frankfurt am Main    6. Germany    7. History - Holocaust    8. Holocaust survivors    9. Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)    10. Jews    11. Juvenile Nonfiction    12. Juvenile literature    13. United States    14. Juvenile Nonfiction / History / Holocaust   

Reviews (2)

Excellent for the classroom
I am a 6th grade teacher of a multicultural awareness course in NJ. I came across this book last year and it was excellent.The pictures give the whole story in a very simple and powerful manner. The Children We Remember
This is a wonderfully touching book that introduces elementary age children to the holocost.The pictures are poignant and draw the children in.The text is simple and thought provoking.Children begin to realizethat war affects everyone even the children. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    2. Children: Grades 3-4    3. History - Holocaust    4. Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)    5. Jewish children in the Holocaust    6. Juvenile Nonfiction    7. Juvenile literature    8. People & Places - Europe    9. Pictorial works    10. Religion - Judaism    11. Juvenile Nonfiction / History / Holocaust   

Reviews (1)

wonderful, accesible history for young adults!
Meltzer writes the story of the Holocaust from an interesting viewpoint.Becuse he is a young 15 year old American Jew, watching the events of the war from afar, he brings a passion to the delivery of the historicalinformation that makes it more engaging and powerful.The organization ofthe book into chapters according to chronology makes it easy to read as awhole, or a reader can use it to research a particular aspect of theHolocaust.As a teacher of middle schoolers, books that are so accessibleand interesting are hard to find.I would recommend any reader interestedin the subject to start here- you won't find much better! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Young Adult Misc. Nonfiction    2. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    3. Germany    4. History - Holocaust    5. Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)    6. Jews    7. Juvenile Nonfiction    8. Persecutions    9. Underground movements, Jewish    10. World War, 1939-1945    11. Jewish studies    12. Juvenile Nonfiction / History / Holocaust    13. The Holocaust   

Reviews (3)

What a rueful term....
Holocaust........
The painful truth of the Holocaust
Yehuda Bauer is one of the most important historians of the 'Holocaust'. In this work he traces the history of the Jewish people. And he provides background historical explanation on the murder of over one - third of the Jewish people by the Nazis and their assistants. He writes with clarity and deep understanding of the subject.

Powerful History
I had the opportunity to use Yehuda Bauer's book in a universtiy course on the history of the Holocaust two years ago.Now that I am a history teacher, I found myself looking for the text that I foolishly sold. In his book Bauer provides an overview of the Jewish people and then takes youthrough the the major events (WWI, the Weimar Republic, rise of Hitler)inhistory and how they contributed to the massacre of millions in theHolocaust.Bauer's chapter by chapter analysis of the events surroundingthe Holocaust is the reason that I came back to look for the text.Whetheryou are interested in this era of history or are perhaps an educator aboutto teach it, you will find valuable information within this book to helpyou synthesize and present the information.I plan to use parts of thisbook in the World History class that I am teaching. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1789-1945    2. Children's 12-Up - History - General    3. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 10-12)    4. General    5. Historical - Holocaust    6. History    7. Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)    8. Jews    9. Juvenile Nonfiction    10. Juvenile literature   

Reviews (5)

An engaging and informative book
A Special Fate is the story of Chiune Sugihara, a Japanese consulate to Lithuania who, against the wishes of his superiors, hand wrote about six thousand transit visas to Jews fleeing the invading Nazi forces.His bravery saved many lives, but cost him not only his political career but also his youngest son's life.The author also weaves the story of two Jewish children who received visas from Sugihara into the main narrative.
Chiune Sugihara--Righteous Among the Nations
Chiune Sugihara's story needed to be told. In a dark period of Japanese history, one man listened to his conscience, discussed the consequences with his wife and children, and chose to do the right thing. In the early days of WWII, Sugihara, a diplomat to Lithuania, issued thousands of life-saving visas to the Jews of Europe against the direct orders of his superiors. After the Russians took over Lithuania, Sugihara was forced to close the Japanese Embassy, but he continued writing visas until the last possible moment. A great and exciting story!
Chiune "Sempo" Sugihara is one of the little known heroes of the Holocaust. This is rather unfortunate, as Mr. Sugihara was probably responsible for the saving of more Jews than any other individual! While serving as Japanese Vice Consul in Lithuania in 1940, Mr. Sugihara, against the express orders of his government, issued some 6,000 visas to people (individuals and families) desperately seeking to avoid the Nazi death machine. This book is the story of Chiune Sugihara, from youth to honored old age, and also the story of two young Jews, one whose parent took the visa and ran, and one whose parent waited too long.Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography - Historical    3. Children's 9-12 - Biography / Autobiography    4. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Biography    5. Children: Grades 2-3    6. Diplomats    7. History - Holocaust    8. Japan    9. Jews    10. Juvenile Nonfiction    11. Juvenile literature    12. Kaunas    13. Lithuania    14. Persecutions    15. Righteous Gentiles in the Holocaust