Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow

Bibliography

Bartoletti, Susan Campbell. 2005. Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler’s Shadow. New York: Scholastic Nonfiction. ISBN 978-0439353793.

Brief plot summary

By 1939, more than 7 million German children belonged to the Hitler Youth, a political machine that capitalized on the youth, innocence, and enthusiasm of Germany's children. Bartoletti explores how Hitler gained the loyalty, trust, and passion of so many of Germany's young people. Following the lives of twelve children who grew up in Hitler's Germany, the author uses their stories to reveal the actions and emotions of a generation who were enticed and then used by the Nazi party. The work weaves together the stories of former members of the Hitler Youth, young people who chose to resist the Nazi movement, and Jewish youths and others who were targeted by the Nazis.

Critical analysis

The story of the children and teenagers of Germany during World War II is told from multiple perspectives: members of the Hitler Youth, those who resisted, and those who were persecuted. Through twelve young people the reader experiences life during the war and comes to understand not only how the young were manipulated and used by Hitler’s regime, but also how difficult it was to risk one’s life by turning against the indoctrination and fight against them.

This carefully researched and powerfully narrated book will provide significant information for anyone with an interest in the Holocaust and/or World War II. Readers will gain an understanding of Germany’s part in World War II, along with a connection stemming from World War I. By focusing on the role of Germany’s young people in the war, Bartoletti provides today’s readers a connection with these historical events.

The book is organized chronologically from the early years of the Hitler Youth through the end of the war. An epilogue tells what became of all the young people who were featured in the book. The storytelling is supported by an abundance of historical photos, details, and relevant quotes. Includes a timeline of the Hitler Youth, an author’s note, and an index along with an extensive bibliography and list of sources for the quotes.

 Review excerpts

“The power of the account is matched by the many period candid and propaganda photographs, well-married to the text by strong captions and placement…” – Horn Book, Starred Review
“Bartoletti draws on oral histories, diaries, letters, and her own extensive interviews with Holocaust survivors, Hitler Youth, resisters, and bystanders to tell the history from the viewpoints of people who were there.” – Booklist, Starred Review

“…Nonfiction writing at its best. Essential for WWII collections as well as teaching units on conformity, peer pressure and resistance.” – Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
“Bartoletti lets many of the subjects’ words, emotions, and deeds speak for themselves, bringing them together clearly to tell this story unlike anyone else has.” – School Library Journal
“This solid offering deserves wide readership by today's young people, and it is certain to promote extensive discussion." – Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Awards / Best Books

John Newbery Medal Honor Book, 2006

Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children Honor Book, 2006

Parent Choice Award Gold Non-Fiction, 2005

Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal Honor Book, 2006

ALSC Notable Children’s Books, 2006

Booklist Editors Choice, 2005

Kirkus Best Children’s Books, 2005

Publishers Weekly Best Children’s Books, 2005

School Library Journal Best Books, 2005

YALSA Best Books for Young Adults, 2006

Classroom Connections

Before reading from the book students brainstorm reasons why and to what extent they think young people were targeted during World War II and the Holocaust.

Pair Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler’s Shadow with The Boy Who Dared. Use excerpts from this book to introduce or to build background knowledge while reading the historical fiction novel, The Boy Who Dared.

This book can be used as part of a discussion/lesson on propaganda in which students explore what it is and how it works.

Students select a quote from the book that resonates with them and explain why they chose the quote.

Students can write responses to the wonderings at the end of the book: Could another despot like Hitler rise to power on the shoulders of young people? What are you willing to do to prevent such a shadow from falling over you and others? Responses can then be used to organize a class debate or philosophical chairs activity.

Other related books:

• The Book Thief by Markus Zusak – ISBN 978-0375931000        
• DK Eyewitness Books: World War II by Simon Adams – ISBN: 978-0756630089
• The Good Fight: How World War II Was Won by Stephen E. Ambrose – ISBN: 978-0689843617
• Hans and Sophie Scholl: German Resisters of the White Rose by Toby Axelrod – ISBN 0823933164
• The Life and Death of Adolf Hitler by James Cross Giblin – ISBN: 978-0395903711
• Parallel Journeys by Eleanor H. Ayer, Helen Waterford and Alfons Heck – ISBN: 978-0689832369
• Surviving Hitler: A Boy in the Nazi Death Camps by Adrea Warren – ISBN: 978-0060007676

Other books by Susan Campbell Bartoletti:

• Black Potatoes: The Story of the Great Irish Famine, 1845-1850 – ISBN 978-0618548835
• The Boy Who Dared – ISBN 978-0439680134
• Growing Up in Coal Country – ISBN 978-0395778470
• Kids on Strike! – ISBN 978-0395888926
• No Man’s Land – 978-0590383714
• They Called Themselves the KKK: The Birth of an American Terrorist Group – ISBN 061844033X