by Gail Herman
First published 2018
Gail Herman introduces elementary school readers to one of history's darkest chapters. She begins with Hitler's ascent to power and the Nazi party's growing influence in Germany. Herman explains how anti-Jewish sentiment transformed into systematic persecution through humiliating laws that stripped Jews of their rights. The narrative follows the progression from legal discrimination to the creation of ghettos across Eastern Europe, where Jewish families were forced into overcrowded, unsanitary conditions. Herman then addresses the Final Solution, the Nazi plan that led to death camps where six million Jews and six million other victims perished. The author presents these difficult facts in language appropriate for young minds, providing enough detail to convey the scope of the tragedy without overwhelming her audience. Through careful research and thoughtful presentation, Herman helps children understand how hatred can escalate into unimaginable violence, offering them knowledge that honors the memory of those who suffered.
Genres: history, 20th-century, non-fiction, 21st-century, antisemitism
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: educational, informative
Setting: Germany, Eastern Europe
Period: 20th Century, 21st Century
112 pages · Paperback · Penguin Workshop
Content warnings: violence