Book Review: Hitler Youth by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

A brief summary of Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow

An overview of the role youth played in Hitler's Germany, including members of the Hitler Youth, those who rebelled against the Nazis, and Jewish youth.

I was blown away by this book! I couldn't believe much Hitler depended on Germany's young people! From the rise of the National Socialist Party in Germany and throughout the war, Hitler had well-structured programs in place to train young people according to his ideals. As Hitler himself said, "I begin with the young... With them I can make a new world." Which is exactly what he tried to do. I was astonished at how loyal the Youth were - willing and wanting to sacrifice their lives for Germany and for Hitler. So many of them went to battle when they were still just children! I was also really impressed with the stories of the resistance members - those who fought back against Hitler. Their stories are bitter sweet.

Oh, and one last thing that really struck me. It is amazing how some of Hitler's ideas were actually good - at least how they started out. No wonder he was popular with the things he was promising - jobs, enough food, a stronger country.

Read-alikes:
The Boy Who Dared by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
The Book Thiefby Markus Zusak
Milkweedby Jerry Spinelli
Three Against Hitlerby Rudi Wobbe (haven't read it yet, but this is nonfiction about Helmuth Hubener and his friends who distributed anti-Hitler propaganda)

Watch-a-like:
Reminded me of Swing Kids, a great movie, more for older teens

RATINGS:
s-factor: none

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: none

Overall rating: *****