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Sibert Honor author Deborah Hopkinson unearths the heroic stories of Jewish survivors from different countries so that we may never forget the past.
As World War II raged, millions of young Jewish people were caught up in the horrors of the Nazis' Final Solution. Many readers know of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi state's genocidal campaign against European Jews and others of so-called "inferior" races. Yet so many of the individual stories remain buried in time. Of those who endured the Holocaust, some were caught by the Nazis and sent to concentration camps, some hid right under Hitler's nose, some were separated from their parents, some chose to fight back. Against all odds, some survived. They all have stories that must be told. They all have stories we must keep safe in our collective memory. In this thoroughly researched and passionately written narrative nonfiction for upper middle-grade readers, critically acclaimed author Deborah Hopkinson allows the voices of Holocaust survivors to live on the page, recalling their persecution, survival, and resistance. Focusing on testimonies from across Germany, the Netherlands, France, and Poland, Hopkinson paints a moving and diverse portrait of the Jewish youth experience in Europe under the shadow of the Third Reich. With archival images and myriad interviews, this compelling and beautifully told addition to Holocaust history not only honors the courage of the victims, but calls young readers to action -- by reminding them that heroism begins with the ordinary, everyday feat of showing compassion toward our fellow citizens. |
Activity 1:
Tuvia Bielski, who died in 1987, is credited with leading one of the most successful Jewish groups who fought against the Germans in the war and creating a Jewish community in the forest despite the cold and horrible conditions. He is often quoted as saying, "Don't rush to fight and die. So few of us re left, we need to save lives. It is more important to save Jews than to kill Germans."What did he mean by this quote? Why was it important to save Jews, wasn't it more important to kill Germans? In either a half page story or a drawing, please tell me what you think about this? Why was it important for the Jews to live, other than what the Germans were doing to them was horrible!
Activity 2:
There were many people who were highlighted in this book. Among them are:
Eva and Martin Gertrud Ruth Fred Paula Chella
Alfred Max Bronka Wlodka Vladka and Benjamin
Choose one of these brave souls and draw a picture of what you think they look like. If you're not much of an artist, then find a picture on the internet of what you think they look like. They were all so very brave in their own right, we need to learn from them.
Activity 3:
Beginning on page 283 in the book, and at the end of many of the chapters, there are places marked as Look, Listen, Remember: Resources to Explore. Choose one of these sights, explore it, and share that information with me. I went to https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/jewish-badge-during-the-nazi-era and read that. It talked about the compulsory Star of David that all of the Jews were forced to wear. I would print out the chart that showed the different meanings of the different badges and then explain when it was enforced and what it did to the Jews. If you want to use the same page, you can.
Tuvia Bielski, who died in 1987, is credited with leading one of the most successful Jewish groups who fought against the Germans in the war and creating a Jewish community in the forest despite the cold and horrible conditions. He is often quoted as saying, "Don't rush to fight and die. So few of us re left, we need to save lives. It is more important to save Jews than to kill Germans."What did he mean by this quote? Why was it important to save Jews, wasn't it more important to kill Germans? In either a half page story or a drawing, please tell me what you think about this? Why was it important for the Jews to live, other than what the Germans were doing to them was horrible!
Activity 2:
There were many people who were highlighted in this book. Among them are:
Eva and Martin Gertrud Ruth Fred Paula Chella
Alfred Max Bronka Wlodka Vladka and Benjamin
Choose one of these brave souls and draw a picture of what you think they look like. If you're not much of an artist, then find a picture on the internet of what you think they look like. They were all so very brave in their own right, we need to learn from them.
Activity 3:
Beginning on page 283 in the book, and at the end of many of the chapters, there are places marked as Look, Listen, Remember: Resources to Explore. Choose one of these sights, explore it, and share that information with me. I went to https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/jewish-badge-during-the-nazi-era and read that. It talked about the compulsory Star of David that all of the Jews were forced to wear. I would print out the chart that showed the different meanings of the different badges and then explain when it was enforced and what it did to the Jews. If you want to use the same page, you can.