A review by ninjakiwi12
Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
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.