There are many good books that depict what the Holocaust was like for Jews in Europe during World War II. Prisoner B-3087 by Alan Gratz is based on the true story of ten year old Jack Gruener, a Holocaust survivor of 10 different concentration camps. Jack's story tells of the atrocities faced by prisoners of the Nazis during their occupation of Poland, Czechoslovakia, and eastern Europe. Jack, whose real name is Yaneck, survives the work and death camps knowing that one unlucky move will most certainly end his life. Also knowing that his family is dead, and the suffering is more than any human should have to endure, Jack has to continually push himself to live; that no matter how bad each moment may seem, life is better than death. Jack and his wife, Ruth (who also is a Holocaust survivor), now travel the country telling their story to schools around the United States. Holocaust survivor Henry Golde, the author of Ragdolls (posted on my blog), visited Merrill Middle School this past spring. Mr. Golde also shared his story of survival. Both books make references to some of the same concentration camps and heinous crimes committed by some of the most famous war crime criminals at that time. Both books do a great job telling the gripping tales of survival, and at a level that makes them appropriate for many different readers.
In sixth grade we read a lot of books and articles that depict Human Rights atrocities around the world throughout history. What are some of your favorite? What makes reading historical fiction or non-fiction appealing to readers?
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