My son has a lot of questions about the holocaust and also about Nazi Germany and Hitler. I don't know where his interest in this subject came from, but I want to educate him in an appropriate way.

Does anyone have any suggestions for books that can help us better discuss the subject?  He is almost 11 years old, and quite mature. Still, I am afraid to expose him too much to some of the really horrible parts of that history.

Thoughts, suggestions?

Thank you so much :)

Well, I love the history books by Albert Marrin. He has one entitled "Hitler". This discusses Hilter's early years as well as the WW II years. This might need to be a Read Aloud book as I'm not certain of your son's reading level. You will have to buy this one as it rarely comes through PBS.

Here are some sites that have reading lists on this subject:

http://www.holocaust-trc.org/chldbook.htm

http://www.carolhurst.com/subjects/history/holocaust.html

http://fcit.usf.edu/holocaust/resource/books.htm

http://www.shamash.org/lists/scj-faq/HTML/rl/kid-history.html 

http://www.naperville-lib.org/libservices/children/readers_ser/booklist/holocaust.htm

I was teaching history and had students that couldn't understand how Europe let Hitler kill millions. I had them read "The Wave" by Todd Strasser. This is based on a true story. A history teacher in a high school used some of the same techniques that the Nazi's used and things got out of hand as students reacted in ways they never dreamed they would.  My students learned that history will repeat itself if we allow it.

There were some good suggestions made in this Post here on the HS forum.

I really like this website , I liked that pictures of the books were provided it helped me remember what books I had read when I studied the holocaust.

I have been trying and trying to find a book I read in my Junior year.  It was about a 12-15 yr old girl who hid and was on the run by herself.  She survived and ended up on a boat to Israel.  One thing that really stands out in my mind is the boat trip.  It was a very long voyage so she tore off peices of her skirt using it like a calendar.  Her fellow passengers began calling her calendar girl.    Anyone recognize it??

I found the book I was searching for!!!  Actually our local public librarian found it.  :o)

It's Alicia: My Story by Alicia Appleman-Jurman

My daughter (11 y.o.) read a book about the Holcaust called The Devil's Arithmetic by Jane Yolen. I haven't read it, but she said it was really good and helped her understand things better. It's a time travel story about a modern Jewish girl who gets transported to Poland during WWII. It looks like there are several copies available here.

Here's a link to a teacher's packet of information from the Houston Holocaust museum. 

http://www.hmh.org/ed_teacher_packet.asp

It has a great summary page and resources broken down by grade.  There are videos listed and it describes whether they consider the film graphic or not.  There are also maps of the different camps.

I just finished Devil's Arithmetic as well.  I am opting not to read it to my 10-year-old this year, but to wait a few more years so we can study these atrocities more in depth.

We watched the movie "The Devil's Arithmetic" based on the Yolen book; our local library has it.  Kirsten Dunst played the lead role. Very well done.

The story of Corrie ten Boom, The Hiding Place, is also quite good, and I think was also made into a movie.  Finally, daughter (early middle school) also recommends Lois Lowry's Number the Stars.

You could also read the Diary of Anne Frank.... My DD (9) got interested in WWII in general from reading American Girl books and watching The Sound of Music.  These are very watered down, but good for her at this level.  She can understand some of the history without going into all the graphic violence.

When I was 16 I visited Dachau - it was VERY instense and emotional.  It's something I'll never forget - unlike reading about it in a history book.

Edie

Here's an online resource.

The History Place.      http://www.historyplace.com/

I have a couple of video tapes about the role Jehovah's Witnesses played during the holocaust.  Hundreds were killed by Hitler and thousands were tortured and imprisoned.  The tapes are tasteful and kid friendly.  They explain what happened to people who stood up for Bible principles rather than take part in their corrupt Govt.  Children also took a stand against Hitler and the tapes explain that.  PM me if you want one.

For High schoolers I recommend “I Cannot Forgive”, the biography of the first man to escape Dachaou (sp?)  and tell the world about the horrible things happening.  I made both my kids read it.

thank you, thank you, thank you!!

you guys are awesome- i'm still checking out all the books and links  :)

I found the book I was searching for!!!  Actually our local public librarian found it.  :o)

It's Alicia: My Story by Alicia Appleman-Jurman

Just in case anyone was wondering....