HITLER YOUTH: GROWING UP IN HITLER’S SHADOW by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

1.BIBLIOGRAPHY
Bartoletti, Susan Campbell. 2005. HITLER YOUTH: GROWING UP IN HITLER’S SHADOW. New York, NY: Scholastic, Inc. ISBN 0439353793

2.PLOT SUMMARY
Hitler’s rise to power is an intriguing time in history, and is worth further investigation. In this documentary, we hear from a variety of voices that were merely youth in Germany in the 1930’s and 40’s. We hear the compelling tales of children enticed into patriotism and loyalty, then subjugated to mental conditioning that eventually tore families apart and lead to the killings of many Jews and governmental enemies. This book gives us first-hand accounts from the youngest supporters and protesters of Hitler’s Reich.

3.CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This book contains a great deal of firsthand accounts of the Hitler Youth and their family or friends. We learn how Hitler rose to power and utilized the youth in his plans. On nearly each page, we see pictures with descriptions of what the picture contains. The book is organized in several chapters. The previous chapter leads into the next. The events are not always in chronological order, but the book leads the reader on a journey from 1926 with the establishment of the Hitler Youth through the end of World War II.

4.HONORS & REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
NEWBERRY HONOR BOOK
THE ROBERT F. SIBERT HONOR BOOK
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL Starred Review: “this excellent history shows how he attempted to carry out his mission with the establishment of the Hitler Youth”
BOOKLIST Starred Review: “[This book] will draw in readers and help spark deep discussion, which will extend beyond the Holocaust curriculum”

5.CONNECTIONS
*Invite students to reflect on one of the youth members. Would he/she do the same things? What would he/she do differently if given the choice?
*Other books about Nazi youth and citizens
Bartoletti, Susan Campbell. BOY WHO DARED. ISBN 0439680131
Heck, Alfons. A CHILD OF HITLER: GERMANY IN THE DAYS WHEN GOD WORE A SWASTIKA. ISBN 0939650444
Hunt, Irmgard A. ON HITLERS MOUNTAIN: OVERCOMING THE LEGACY OF A NAZI CHILDHOOD. ISBN 0060532181