Bartoletti, Susan Campbell. Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler’s Shadow. 2005. 216p. ISBN 0439353793. Winner of the Newbery Honor (2006), Sibert Honor (2006), YALSA Best Books for Young Adults (Top Ten) (2006). Available as an eBook on Overdrive.
How does a generation grow up to become part of the Nazi machine? In this provocative book, the path of several youths are followed from the late 1920s to the end of the Second World War and beyond. What first started as clean good fun playing outdoors and marching soon became paramilitary exercises and complete obedience to youth leaders, and unquestioning faith in Adolf Hitler.
Using propaganda, the Hitler Youths slowly turned a whole generation into Nazi fanatics ready to sacrifice themselves for the glory and power of the Third Reich. These children fought in the war, manning anti-aircraft weapons. Older children even fought at the front in Normandy and in Russia.
For some, even the end of the war never changed their opinion of Hitler and of Germany. Others, though underwent a change of heart and came to realize they were part of a brutal machine that eliminated millions of people, including their friends and family.
A chilling reminder of what great evil can accomplish, this book is a cautionary tale to ensure that such events never again occur.
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