Review by Booklist Review
This comprehensive primer on the Holocaust is age-appropriate and frank. The opening pages offer plenty of explanation for the series of events leading up to the Holocaust, including generations of anti-Semitism in Europe and Germany's humiliation in WWI. A matter-of-fact description of both the cultural traditions and religious beliefs of Judaism help highlight the Jewish experience, but other targeted groups, such as homosexuals and the infirm, are also explored. The propaganda that fueled many prejudices is a major theme, and Steele revisits the nature of discrimination at several important junctures. The book succeeds in providing an unflinching look into the inner workings of a concentration camp and attempts at escape, without including some of the most graphic and haunting images that may be unsuitable for younger readers. In fact, the focus on the impact of the Holocaust on the young will especially resonate with preadolescent audiences, making this a fitting resource for a first exposure to the topic.--Anderson, Erin Copyright 2016 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Steele concisely chronicles the events of the Holocaust in brief paragraphs on a broad range of topics, augmented by archival photographs-sometimes colorized or digitally manipulated-and documents. The image-heavy format vividly details the rise of Nazis in Germany and the ideologies that led to genocide. Details include a guide to the identification badges that Nazis sewed into prisoners' clothing and haunting reproductions of Nazi propaganda, including images taken from posters and picture books. Later sections discuss modern Jewish life in Israel and contemporary Holocaust remembrances, including a look at the Holocaust memorial in Berlin and ongoing efforts to preserve human rights and dignity: "The best possible memorial to the millions who died in the Holocaust would be to stop such a tragedy from ever happening again," Steele writes. Ages 8-12. (Sept.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 5-7-Readers are given a broad but detailed overview of the Holocaust in this title divided into three sections: "The Coming Storm," "From War to Genocide," and "Freedom and Remembrance." The first two spreads are dedicated to providing a bit of backdrop to the Jewish experience, with discussions on the Jewish diaspora, language, and religion. The rest of the work, spread by spread, follows the increasing hatred and violence against Jewish people in World War II Germany that ultimately led up to the Holocaust. A "Prisoners and Symbols" spread breaks down the many methods the Nazis used to identify or mark those in concentration camps, and a "Heroes of Humanity" spread highlights figures such as Oskar Schindler, Nicholas Winton, and Aristides de Sousa Mendes, who each helped save countless Jewish lives. The volume rounds out with a discussion of Israel and Holocaust memorial sites. The text is presented in a conversational and accessible tone. The content and images make this resource more suited for students who have prior knowledge of the Holocaust. The large trim size allows for each spread to showcase full-color illustrations, maps, and charts along with text inserts of varying length. However, this could prove distracting for readers. A glossary is included, defining words such as anti-Semitic and Zionism. VERDICT A wealth of lesser-known information about the Holocaust for World War II history buffs. Recommended for upper elementary and middle school collections.-Emily Bayci, Naperville Public Library-Naper Boulevard Library, IL © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
