ISBN: 0439862736
PLOT SUMMARY
In 1926 Adolph Hitler devised a plan to secure the future of Germany under the Third Reich. His idea was to muster the youth of Germany with his Nazi organization, "Hitler Jugend". His concept to captivate and exploit the hearts, minds, and energy of young people became a chilling success in the 1930's. Hitler is quoted, "What can happen to a people whose youth sacrifices everything in order to serve it's great ideals."
Susan Campbell Bartoletti, using extensive resources like oral histories, diaries, and other personal accounts, relates the stories of twelve of these children and teens.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Bartoletti's impeccable research and thoughtful presentation has garnered such praise for this book as "Best Books for Young Adults, 2006" from the American Library Association; the John Newbery Medal, 2006 Honor Book, the Orbus Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children, 2005 Honor Book, and the Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal, 2006 Honor Book.
The reasons for these honors are evident in the design and contents of HITLER YOUTH. The author uses fluid prose, ample dialogue, and photos on every double page spread to relate the involvement of these children and teens in the Nazi youth brigade. In the case of Melita Maschmann, she felt that Hitler brought hope for the future of Germany, "I believed the National Socialists when they promised to do away with unemployment and poverty...I believed them when they said they would reunite the German nation."
In other cases, some of the youth, as they grew older (and as membership became mandatory), began to question the Nazis and formed resistance efforts. One of these was Hans Scholl, who had become disillusioned with the loss of personal freedom and individual rights, "I must go my own way and I do so gladly, I'm not anxious to avoid a host of dangers and temptations. My sole ambition must be to perceive things clearly and calmly."
There were those who resisted and later paid the ultimate price, as well as those who trusted the cause, but who survived with subsequent shame and remorse.
Bartoletti has substantiated her research with a five page bibliography, five pages of quote sources, notes about the photographs used and a timeline of the Hitler Youth.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Booklist: "The handsome book design...will draw in readers and help spark deep discussion, which will extend beyond the Holocaust curriculum."
Kirkus Reviews: "Case studies of actual participants root the work in specifics, and clear prose, thorough documentation and an attractive format with well-chosen archival photographs make this nonfiction writing at its best."
CONNECTIONS
*Would make an excellent addition to any study of World War II
*For more of a literature study, Bartoletti's historical fiction: THE BOY WHO DARED, based on the life of Helmuth Hubener, the 17 year old executed by the Nazis in 1942 for resistance activities, profiled in HITLER YOUTH
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