Hitler Youth: Growing up in Hitler’s Shadow

Bartoletti, S. (2005).  Hitler Youth: growing up in Hitler’s shadow.  New York: Scholastic.

This nonfiction book, filled with actual pictures of young people who belonged the Hitler Youth, is a captivating read. It starts in 1926 and continues on until the end of  WWII outlining the growth of the organization and spotlighting individual stories of those who belonged to the various youth organizations developed by Hitler. It discusses how the organization began and how it slowly became a brainwashing tool for the Nazi movement. The stories of those who stood up against the tyranny of Nazi Germany, such as the White Rose group, are compelling and moving.

This book is definitely intended for more mature students, fifth grade and up. It is covers topics ranging from brainwashing, euthanasia, mass murder and concentration camps. The brave students who took a stand for what they believed was wrong knew that they were facing probable death. The pictures and personal stories make this a haunting reminder of how one man can negatively influence a whole generation.

2006 Newberry Honor Book

2006 Robert Silber Informational Honor Book