Nonfiction

The following reviews were made as part of an assignment for the Literature for Children course through Sam Houston State University.

Hitler Youth: Growing up in Hitler’s Shadow 

Bartoletti, S. C. (2019). Hitler Youth: Growing up in Hitler's shadow. New York: Scholastic.

ISBN: 9781338309843 

 

Hitlerjugend or Hitler Youth were the boys who were groomed to be good German soldiers. Likewise, the League of German Girls (BDM) groomed girls to be good German wives and mothers supporting the work of the men. The stories range from those who joined voluntarily, sometimes despite the disapproval of their parents, to those who were required to join but found their way out despite the risk. Some even joined or led resistance movements actively opposing the Third Reich. The story begins in 1932, tells the stories leading up to World War II, covers war time experiences, explains the collapse of Nazi Germany and the end of the war, explains de-Nazification, and closes with the reunification of East and West Germany in 1990. Included are many photographs of the young people named specifically, as well as German propaganda shots, Allied photos, and family photos. There is a Hitler Youth Timeline, Author’s Note, information about the photographs, source notes for the quotes, and a bibliography which includes a notation of the sources that are especially interesting for young people. 
 

The narrative of this book draws in the reader with the intent of understanding the boys and girls who proudly participated as Hitler Youth and those who opposed Adolf Hitler and his Nazi regime. There was no apparent attempt to persuade the reader to condemn those who bought into the Nazi brainwashing nor was there praise for those who opposed the Nazis. It helps to understand how Hitler was able to accomplish such horrible things with widespread support from his citizens while also explaining why more people did not speak out against the government.  
 From Kirkus Reviews: “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.” Retrieved from: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/susan-campbell-bartoletti/hitler-youth/.  
 

This book would be valuable in any Social Studies class and could be used to explore points of view. 

 

You may also like: Surviving Hitler: A Boy in the Nazi Death Camps by Andrea Warren or We Will Not Be Silent: The White Rose Student Resistance Movement That Defied Adolf Hitler by Russell Freedman. 

 

Bomb: The Race to Build and Steal the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon 

Sheinkin, S., & Colvin, J. (2012). Bomb: the race to build and steal the world's most dangerous weapon. New York: Roaring Brook Press. 

ISBN: 978-1596434875 

A thrilling tale for anyone interested in science or history, as the name implies, tells the story of the scientists who built the atomic bomb and the spies who stole information on how it was being done. During World War II American, British, German, and Soviet scientists rush to build the atomic bomb before anyone else can. The Americans and the British work together to sabotage the German efforts while communist sympathizers pass information to the Soviets. Interwoven are the roles of people displaced by the Nazis who work with the Allies to defeat Hitler and free their homeland.  

An interesting narrative that brings science down to a level that anyone can understand and conveys the importance of being the first to succeed in building this new weapon. This book connected the dots that were, up until now, providing me with enough of an understanding of the United States rise to power during and after WWII. This would serve as a great intro to a study of the Cold War.  
From Common Sense Media: “a detailed, suspenseful account of developing the first atom bombs, and the consequences of inventing and dropping The Bomb that effectively ended World War II and led to the Cold War/arms race between the United States and Russia.”

Retrieved from: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/bomb-the-race-to-build-and-steal-the-worlds-most-dangerous-weapon.  
In older grade levels this book could be used to connect science and social studies. MacMillan has a great resource with suggestions for using this book in a variety of subjects that can be found at: https://images.macmillan.com/folio-assets/teachers-guides/9781596434875TG.pdf.

 

You may also like: Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of World War Two by Joseph Bruchac or Sachiko: A Nagasaki Bomb Survivor’s Story by Caren Stelson.  

 

The Boy’s War: Confederate and Union Soldiers Talk About the Civil War 

Murphy, Jim, 1947-. (1990). The boys' war: Confederate and Union soldiers talk about the Civil War. New York: Clarion Books. 

ISBN: 0-89919-893-7 

 

This is the story of the American Civil War as told by the boys who fought on both sides. It begins by telling the story of the first shots of the Civil War fired at Fort Sumter, South Carolina and looks at the war from different angles starting with the motivation for joining the fight and covering topics such as battle experiences, prisoner of war camps, and medical care. It also addresses changes made after the Civil War to prevent such young boys from being allowed to serve in any capacity. The stories contained are from those who were not old enough to enlist but did so by parental permission, deceit, or to serve in a non-combat role. One boy ran away from home and enlisted in 1861 at age 11 as a drummer boy. In one battle, after his drum was shattered by enemy fire, he picked up musket and “fought bravely for the rest of the war, becoming a sergeant in the fall of 1863.”  
 

This book is well written and keeps the reader engaged, bringing a heavy topic down to a level that is sure to resonate well with young readers. History is a topic that students often dislike because they feel it to be irrelevant. This story makes it relevant. It also presents the story without glorifying one side and vilifying the other. It is told in a neutral tone presenting the facts and sharing the experiences of the youngest soldiers of America’s bloodiest war, often in their own words. If anything, I would have liked to have seen a map or a timeline that represented the stories shared. In modern times we can all learn from the realization the soldiers came to as described on page 64. “The enemy it turned out, was human after all, and could be kind and generous as well.” 

From Publishers Weekly: “He skillfully interweaves excerpts from the diaries and letters

of countless young men who, either seeking escape from the drudgery of farm work or embracing fantasies of glory, participated in America's most brutal and bloody war. … The extensive use of contemporary archival photos reinforces the power of the understated text.” Retrieved from https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-89919-893-4.  

In a high school class this book could be used in conjunction with a book such as Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler’s Shadow to contrast the experiences and mindsets of the young soldiers. 

 

You may also like: Chasing Lincoln’s Killer by James L. Swanson or Truce: The Day the Soldiers Stopped Fighting by Jim Murphy.

 

Drawing from Memory 

Say, A. (2011). Drawing from memory. New York: Scholastic Press. 

ISBN: 978-0545176866 

 

This memoir tells the story of Allen Say and his quest to fulfill his dream of becoming a cartoonist perfectly told in a graphic novel style. Say includes a map of Japan so that the reader can locate the various cities and villages that he moves to or visits. The story demonstrates the importance, but also the risk, of pursuing one’s dreams, especially in a setting where it is not fully understood or accepted. 

 

The author tells his story in a manner that is both exciting and relatable. He demonstrates the wisdom to identify what he can do to achieve his dream and the courage to chase after what he wants. Say completes the story through images, mostly his own drawings including early sketches and photographs. 

 

From Kirkus reviews: “Shinpei’s original comics are reproduced here, harmonizing with Say’s own art from that time and the graphic-novel–style panels, drawings and paintings created for this book. Aesthetically superb; this will fascinate comics readers and budding artists while creating new Say fans.” Retrieved from: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/allen-say/drawing-memory/  

 

In art this book could provide a study of the various mediums found within. It could also be used in a social studies class, specifically as a cultural study. 

Also by Allen Say: Grandfather’s Journey or Tree of Cranes.