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 97804399353793

BOOK SUMMARY

Many accounts of Hitler’s reign and the Holocaust describe horrific events instigated by adults. However, in Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler’s Shadow tells how children and adolescents in Germany are recruited and trained in Nazi principles and practices. The author states that this book is not about the rule of Adolf Hitler but about the young people who followed him heart and soul as part of the Hitler Youth.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

More than typical books about World War II and the Holocaust, Hitler Youth uses a vast range of primary sources—participants in and victims of the Hitler Youth—to bring together the telling of this historical epoch. Author Susan Campbell Bartoletti introduces the reader to these sources with a brief description of their partaking in the Hitler Youth regime. Not all were supporters of the Führer and many explain in their own words how they paid the price.

The author explains at the conclusion of the book how she was inspired to write it and the process she went through. She compiled her bibliographic sources in several pages—over 60 cited sources! The numerous photographs are each cited with a caption. Bartoletti most definitely did her research! The sources for photographs range from U.S. National Archives, to German archives and even include former members’ personal collections. I would count this book as one of the most accurate sources about World War II and the Holocaust written for children.

The book follows many children through the years as they rise in age and rank in the Hitler Youth. The chronological sequence helps readers connect Youth activity with other historical events occurring simultaneously in the world. The organization of the book almost resembles that of a storybook with a conflict, rise in action, climax, and resolution—not because Bartoletti has authored it as a storybook but due to the natural order of events. Access features include a table of contents and index. In this text, the chapter titles serve their purpose—informing readers what the chapter contains.

The physical appearance of the book draws the readers’ attention. The oversized book has raised letters along with a photograph (as opposed to an illustration) on the cover. Each chapter beginning contains a full-page photograph opposite the text. The photographs add authenticity to the text as if proving the writing correctly describes actual events. Throughout the chapter, photographs are strategically placed to both break up an abundance of text and complement the topic being discussed.

Bartoletti reveals in an author’s note how the idea for this book was born. Her passion for the subject drove her to travel abroad for research, request interviews with former participants, and dig for truth. Despite the author’s passion, the text is very facts-based and non-judgmental. She allows readers to form their own judgments based on the information. She serves simply as an informant.

Many Hitler Youth participants were similar to the intended audience—kids in school who want to take pride in their country and follow their leaders. Bartoletti explains to the reader how quickly these kids’ thinking was changed along with their lifestyles—everything that was done was done to the glory of Hitler. This ought to encourage readers to think critically about why they believe what they believe.

Because of the depth and expanse the Hitler Youth came to have, the text is abundant and at times overloaded with information. However, it is not enough to prevent readers from understanding the occurrences. The vocabulary or official terms used are not watered-down. Bartoletti uses the German phrases for organization names and gives either an English translation or an acronym to help the reader.  While the content is at times violent and gruesome, Bartoletti does not shy away from the serious truths that occurred during this era. For this reason, I would consider Hitler Youth to be one of the best books designed for young adult readers concerning youth’s role in World War II and the Holocaust.

REVIEWS

Newbery Honor Book, 2006

Sibert Honor Book, 2006

"So many books on the Holocaust have been published for young people, yet ‘Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow’ is nonetheless an invaluable introduction to the ways that children and young adults were indoctrinated into Nazi ideology.”

—The New York Times Book Review, August 2005

“This well-contextualized narrative allows readers largely unfamiliar with the history to gain a solid understanding not only of Hitler and his legions of youth but of the deeper connections back to the first World War, the Treaty of Versailles, and the anti-Semitism of the nation, and the abundant details effectively function to broaden understanding rather than dragging the plotline down.”

—Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, April 2005

“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.”

—The Horn Book, May/June 2005

CONNECTIONS

Related Books

Altman, Linda Jacobs. 2010. Shattered youth in Nazi Germany: Primary sources from the Holocaust. Berkeley Heights, NJ: Enslow Publishers. ISBN 9780766032682

Hughes, Dean. 2001. Soldier boys. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0689817487

Ayer, Eleanor H. 1995. Parallel journeys. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0689318308

A Day In the Life

Research further the strict schedule and duties required of members of Hitler Youth and make a schedule accompanied with journal entry as if you were a member of the group.

Booktalk

Create a podcast/video podcast giving a booktalk promoting this book. For a written example of a booktalk, visit http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/hitler-youth-growing-hitler39s-shadow-booktalk.

Timeline

Create a timeline to follow the events and changes that occurred in one of the divisions of Hitler Youth. Add original illustrations to document these events.