Review #10: Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow

Bibliography

Bartoletti, Susan Campbell.  2005.  HITLER YOUTH:  GROWING UP IN HITLER’S SHADOW.  New York:  Scholastic Inc.  ISBN 0439353793

Summary

Bartoletti examines Nazi Germany from the perspective of those who spent their childhood and adolescence there.  The book’s 10 chapters follow the history of the Hitler Youth and of youth in Germany in general from Hitler’s rise to power through the defeat and aftermath of the Nazi regime.  While the progression of chapters is broadly chronological, each also develops a theme prominent during a particular time, such as Nazi education and the growing persecution of Jews.

The book begins with thumbnail profiles of 12 Germans born between 1916 and 1931.  The story is told largely through their life histories and reminiscences.  An epilogue describes what became of these 12 individuals.  Some, such as the Scholl children, were well-known for their resistance to the Nazis.  Others were simply ordinary children and youth caught up in their times.

Analysis

This carefully researched work draws on extensive primary and secondary sources.  It is well-written and accessible.  The numerous photographic illustrations are of generally good quality and are well-integrated with the text.  The end-notes, bibliography, and index are exceptionally good for a work of popular history at any age level.

Bartoletti goes beyond common clichés of the period to give an appreciation of the complexity of the conditions in which the people of Nazi Germany lived and the diversity of their attitudes and motives.  The use of the stories of a variety of actual German youth helps to put a human face on the upheavals and tragedies of the era.  At the same time, these stories are shown within their greater context.   This would be an excellent introduction to Nazi Germany for teen readers. 

Reviews

“Bartoletti has created an exceptional portrait of Nazi Germany by focusing on how Hitler created a new world on the shoulders of the youth of Germany.”  Book Links

“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

Connections

Other non-fiction accounts of Nazi Germany and the Holocaust:

Armstrong, Jennifer and Opdyke, Irene Gut.  IN MY HANDS:  MEMORIES OF A HOLOCAUST RESCUER.  ISBN 9780679891819

Cartlidge, Cherese and Clark, Charles.  LIFE OF A NAZI SOLDIER.  ISBN 1560064846

Wiesel, Elie.  NIGHT.  ISBN 97803743999