How could so many Germans go along with Hitler's inhumane public policies that led to the deaths of millions? This book, through the testimony of youth, successfully answers that question. The Hitler Youth program offered its often-impoverished members hope, excitement, and even power. The dangling carrot of camping trips, uniforms, and parades enraptured tens of thousands of children. From the story of its first martyr to the executions of those who left its ranks in the war's waning years, the history of the organization, and on a wider scale the story of the Holocaust, is told against the backdrop of Germany's youth, used as campaigners, informants, laborers, and even soldiers. The program infiltrated churches and schools and intimidated teachers and clerics to conform to Nazi policies of anti-Semitism, book burning, and eradication of all things "non-German." As these policies became more outrageous, many tried to leave, but by then it had become dangerous to challenge the mob mentality. This profusely illustrated book relates the stories of youth who were-and still are-supportive of Hitler's deeds as well as those who resisted, and in some cases died, trying to sway public opinion. Heartbreaking photographs include images of the infirm, and mentally and physically handicapped being sent to eradication centers, and in the final chapter, images of astonished Germans watching films of Holocaust atrocities that they had helped to bring about, many unwittingly so. This book offers through simple and powerful primary sources an important though tearful lesson in history, citizenship, and responsibility. VOYA CODES: 4Q 3P M J S (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Willappeal with pushing; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2005, Scholastic, 176p.; Index. Photos. Maps. Biblio. Source Notes. Chronology. Appendix., Ages 11 to 18.
—Kevin Beach
Formed in 1926, the Hitler Youth involved seven million boys and girls by 1939 and was instrumental in Hitler's rise to power. Bartoletti makes it clear what appealed to youth: "Excitement, adventure, and new heroes to worship," hope, power, and the "opportunity to rebel against parents, teachers, clergy, and other authority figures." She covers Hitler Youth, the resistance movement among young people and the de-Nazification process after the war in this study of Hitler's horrifying 12 years and the courageous moral stance of those who resisted. Case studies of actual participants root the work in specifics, and clear prose, thorough documentation and an attractive format with well-chosen archival photographs make this nonfiction writing at its best. Essential for WWII collections as well as teaching units on conformity, peer pressure and resistance. Superb. (epilogue, time line, author's note, about the photographs, quote sources, bibliography, index) (Nonfiction. 12+)
"Bartoletti (Kids on Strike!) offers a unique and riveting perspective on WWII by focusing on the young people who followed Hitler from 1933-1945….Bartoletti's portrait of individuals within the Hitler Youth who failed to realize that they served “a mass murderer” is convincing, and while it does not excuse the atrocities, it certainly will allow readers to comprehend the circumstances that led to the formation of Hitler's youngest zealots."
--Publishers Weekly, May 23, 2005
*starred review*
"Case studies of actual participants root the work in specifics, and clear prose, thorough documentation and an attractive format with well-chosen archival photographs make this nonfiction writing at its best….Superb."
--Kirkus Reviews, April 1st, 2005
*starred review*
"Hitler's plans for the future of Germany relied significantly on its young people, and this excellent history shows how he attempted to carry out his mission with the establishment of the Hitler Youth....Bartoletti lets many of the subjects' words, emotions, and deeds speak for themselves, bringing them together clearly to tell this story unlike anyone else has."
--School Library Journal, June 2005
*starred review*
The handsome book design, with stirring black-and-white historical photos on every double-page spread, will bring in readers and help spark deep discussion..."
--Booklist, April 15th, 2005
*starred review*
"With clarity and apt quotation (scrupulously sourced), Bartoletti takes readers from the prewar beginnings of Hitler Youth, through its significant role in gaining Hitler the government, to its ultimate position as a feeder for the German war machine….The power of the account is matched by the many period candid and propaganda photographs, well-married to the text by strong captions and placement and an unobtrusive but period-evocative Art Deco page design."
--The Horn Book, May / June 2005
*starred review*
"This solid offering deserves wide readership by today's young people, and it is certain to promote extensive discussion."
--The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, June 1st, 2005
*starred review*
VOYA 8/05
4Q - 3P- M - J - S
Bartoletti, Susan CarnpbeU, leder Youth: Growing Up in I-litleis Shadow. SchoWtic, 2005. 176p. $19.95.0439-35379-3. I
I
How could so many Germans go along with Hitler's inhumane public policies that led to
the deaths of millions? This book, through the testimony of youth, successfully answers
that question. The Hitler Youth program offered its often-irnpoverished members hope,
excitement, and even power. The dangling carrot of camping trips, uniforms, and parades
enraptures tens of thousands children. From the story of its first martyr to the executions of those who left its ranks in the war's waning years, the history of the organization, and
on a wider scale the story of the Holocaust, is told against the backdrop of Germany's
youth, used as campaigners, informants, laborers, and even soldiers. The program
infiltrated churches and schools and intimidated teachers and clerics to
conform to Nazi policies of anti-Semitism, book burning, and eradication of all things
"non-German." As these policies became more outrageous, many tried to leave, but by then it had become dangerous to challenge the mob mentality
.
This profusely illustrated book relates the stories of youth who were - and still are
-
supportive of Hider's deeds as well as those who resisted, and in some cases died
,
trying to away public opinion. Heartbreaking photographs include images of the i
