Module 11-Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler’s Shadow

Book Info:
Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow by Susan Campbell Bartoletti. Scholastic, Inc., 2005.

Summary:
Using archival photographs and personal recollections from people who were part of the Hitler Youth group, Bartoletti presents a riveting perspective on World War II and the Nazi movement by examining the children and teens who were caught up in the movement, either members of the Hitler Youth or those who fought against them or were targeted by the Nazis. She unflinchingly presents the truth of these children and their experiences whether good or bad and without any sugar-coating of what happened to them or what they did at the behest of their leaders. This is a powerful book for anyone who might be curious as to how anyone could follow Hitler and just how easy it was for him to mislead and use the young's loyalty and hopefulness.
My Take:
I've been interested in WWII for many years, going back to the stories related by my grandfather about his experiences during the war and her service in the Navy immediately after the war's end. Having long been one of those people who wondered how anyone could fall under the sway of such a monster, this book puts a very relatable face on the people who followed Hitler as well as the ones who fought against him from within his own country. It was also an affecting read in that Bartoletti's intent was not just to inform people of what the Hitler Youth did and how they basically brainwashed; she also wanted to point out that this was not some random circumstance. Given the right leader and the right atmosphere in a country, any leader could follow Hitler's example and turn their youth to their own purposes no matter how dark. A scary lesson, but one that is worthwhile learning.
Reviews:
School Library Journal (June 01, 2005 ; 0-439-35379-3 )
Gr 5-8-Hitler's plans for the future of Germany relied significantly on its young people, and this excellent history shows how he attempted to carry out his mission with the establishment of the Hitler Youth, or Hitlerjugend, in 1926. With a focus on the years between 1933 and the end of the war in 1945, Bartoletti explains the roles that millions of boys and girls unwittingly played in the horrors of the Third Reich. The book is structured around 12 young individuals and their experiences, which clearly demonstrate how they were victims of leaders who took advantage of their innocence and enthusiasm for evil means. Their stories evolve from patriotic devotion to Hitler and zeal to join, to doubt, confusion, and disillusion. (An epilogue adds a powerful what-became-of-them relevance.) The large period photographs are a primary component and they include Nazi propaganda showing happy and healthy teens as well as the reality of concentration camps and young people with large guns. The final chapter superbly summarizes the weighty significance of this part of the 20th century and challenges young readers to prevent history from repeating itself. 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.-Andrew Medlar, Chicago Public Library, IL Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.
Suggestions:
This book could be used especially when studying this period of history in school, either in junior high or high school. This could also be good if used in a book talk to try and encourage kids to learn more about history, though not through a boring old history textbook. Instead they could use this interesting and unflinching portrait of the Hitler Youth and how Hitler was able to accomplish much of what he did through appealing to the young people of his country.