leahegood's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of my favorite non-fiction books. During WWII, Hitler began shaping the girls and boys of Germany into soldiers for the fatherland. They lived to die for Germany and many did. In the later years of the war, the adult fighting force in Germany became depleted and Hitler began calling on his boy soldiers. This book tells the story of brave German youth, both those who fought for Hitler and those who fought against him.
eparker22's review against another edition
4.0
This was a really good (and quick) read. I am someone who loves WWII history and has always heard it from the side of the Allies, so getting to see it from the opposing point of view was really insightful. I will say though, this is a book for middle school aged children, I bought it from a middle school book fair, and I would say some of the things discussed in this book should not be read by 7th graders, in my opinion. Overall great book!
annebennett1957's review against another edition
5.0
A fascinating and disturbing history of the 12 year period between 1932-1945 when Hitler was coming to power and during WWII as seen through the Hitler Youth Movement. It demonstrates how easily youth (and people in general) and can be swayed by propaganda and hype. Youth are often more ruthless and savage than adult counterparts and loyal to the end.
(Catching up on reviews for books read before blogging/Goodreads days, made from notes made at the time the book was read. Written on 7/27/21.)
(Catching up on reviews for books read before blogging/Goodreads days, made from notes made at the time the book was read. Written on 7/27/21.)
pagesofpins's review against another edition
3.0
I regrettably listened to the audiobook on this one, which is very robotic and stilted. Upon examining the book, I found that the pictures and format helped me keep all the teens straight, especially since to me, an American, many of their names were unpronouncable. Fascinating history about the 12 years Hitler was in power and the children who grew up under his regime, who learned to question nothing about national socialism and to obey their Hitler Youth leaders (often only a year older) over their teachers and parents. Teens who, on purpose or on accident, had their own parents and neighbors killed. Teens who stood up against Hitler and went to the guillotine bravely, and teens who operated tanks or worked concentration camps in willful ignorance. Interesting how youth were deliberatley used by Hitler strategically.
Book Quote:
“What I want most of all is that you live in uprightness and freedom of spirit, no matter how difficult that may be." Robert Scholl
Book Quote:
“What I want most of all is that you live in uprightness and freedom of spirit, no matter how difficult that may be." Robert Scholl
ninjakiwi12's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Fun(ny) fact(s): This was one of the first books I remember reading as a kid about common people in Nazi Germany (not general WWII or Holocaust specific).
Favorite quote/image: “After all, one should have the courage to believe only in what is good. By that, I do not mean one should believe in illusions. I mean one should do only what is true and good and take it for granted that others will do the same.” (pg. 110, Sophie Scholl in her diary)
Honorable mention: "We all have this yardstick in ourselves, but it just isn't sought enough. Maybe because it is the most difficult yardstick." (pg. 38, Sophie Scholl in a letter
Why: Between 4th-5th grade, I read every available book (juvenile and adult) in two of my local county public library systems about the Holocaust. The narrative of the rise, role, and fall of Hitler Youth is well told, complemented by photos and quotes/stories from former Hitler Youth members/resistance members/Holocaust survivors. I was morbidly fascinated and completely terrified. How could something like this happen? How could powerful people turn a blind eye? How could normal people let this happen? This book was part of that answer for me, instilling a newfound respect and fear for the power of education.
Favorite quote/image: “After all, one should have the courage to believe only in what is good. By that, I do not mean one should believe in illusions. I mean one should do only what is true and good and take it for granted that others will do the same.” (pg. 110, Sophie Scholl in her diary)
Honorable mention: "We all have this yardstick in ourselves, but it just isn't sought enough. Maybe because it is the most difficult yardstick." (pg. 38, Sophie Scholl in a letter
Why: Between 4th-5th grade, I read every available book (juvenile and adult) in two of my local county public library systems about the Holocaust. The narrative of the rise, role, and fall of Hitler Youth is well told, complemented by photos and quotes/stories from former Hitler Youth members/resistance members/Holocaust survivors. I was morbidly fascinated and completely terrified. How could something like this happen? How could powerful people turn a blind eye? How could normal people let this happen? This book was part of that answer for me, instilling a newfound respect and fear for the power of education.
swinchester234's review against another edition
4.0
Adolf Hitler was an extremely influential man during his reign. After all, he made an entire country believe in his idea of a superior race. In Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler’s Shadow, Susan Bartoletti, details the lives of the children affected by Hitler in the 1930s and into the 1940s. This is about the children he influenced and the ones that spoke out against him. Hitler Youth was an organization that was a voluntary club for children who supported Hitler, at first. It soon got changed into a mandatory way for children to be prepared for Hitler’s army. This book is a tragic reminder of the people that Hitler affected, including the young ones.
As a future educator, I believe this book has a powerful way of speaking to children about the atrocities committed by Hitler in a unique way. It, not only shows the tragedy of World War II, but it is relatable because it shows how children reacted to the rise of Hitler in Germany. This book could be used in lessons about World War II, multiculturalism, and learning about nonfiction books and how to analyze them. A wonderful, yet tragically written book, I feel as if this book creates a new perspective on the war that swept the world in the 1940s.
As a future educator, I believe this book has a powerful way of speaking to children about the atrocities committed by Hitler in a unique way. It, not only shows the tragedy of World War II, but it is relatable because it shows how children reacted to the rise of Hitler in Germany. This book could be used in lessons about World War II, multiculturalism, and learning about nonfiction books and how to analyze them. A wonderful, yet tragically written book, I feel as if this book creates a new perspective on the war that swept the world in the 1940s.
mjsteimle's review against another edition
3.0
I'm not sure if this book was written for a young adult audience, but it feels like a YA book. It does a good job of explaining Nazi Germany from the point of view of a number of teens in Germany in the 1930s and 40s. There are enthusiastic Hitler Youth leaders, Jews, resistance fighters, reluctant Hitler Youth participants. The reason I say it feels like a YA book is because it does a lot of telling and explaining about what was going on without much analysis. I very much appreciated that this was a period of history told through the words and actions of real teenagers. I think this would be an excellent book to introduce the details of Nazi Germany and WII to young adults, but as an adult I don't find it essential reading on WWII.
mariahroze's review against another edition
4.0
I was very excited to be read this book. Every once in a while I would hear about the Hitler's youth, but I didn't actually know anything about them. This book taught me a ton. Hitler was brilliant, evil and a terrible person, & he knew exactly how to make youth follow him. I had no idea that he set up camps and schools why before the war to educate the German youth. Also, I knew he didn't like people with intellectual and physical disabilities and mental heath issues, but I had no idea that killed them. Also, It was really interesting learning about how he tried to kill off the "older" generation and the German people fought back, so that was stopped.
I LEARNED SOOO MUCH from this really short book.
I encourage everyone to read this!
I LEARNED SOOO MUCH from this really short book.
I encourage everyone to read this!