B O O K L I S T

© 2014 Holocaust Education Trust Ireland. All rights reserved.No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means without permission in writing.

Clifton House, Lower Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2, IrelandTel: +353 1 6690593 Email:info@hetireland.org Website: www.hetireland.org

This material has been produced with support from the Department of Education and Skills, Ireland

Co-funded by the Europe for Citizens programme of the European Union

Kunsill Lokali QrendiQrendi Local Council

Eko Centru Qrendi Qrendi Eco Center

1

There are very many books written about the horrors of the Second World

War and the Jewish children who lived and died during it. Some are stories

like Anne Frank’s. Some tell of survivors and refugees, some are about the

brave people who tried to help. Most are based on true stories. The Nazis

persecuted the Jews and they also persecuted others: black people,

homosexuals, Roma and people with disabilities. Writers, journalists,

socialists, trade unionists and political opponents to the Nazi regime were

also targeted.

There are several listings of books about the Holocaust suitable for

children. The following are useful points of contact for lists and guides:

• Public libraries www.askaboutireland.ie/libraries

• Children’s books Ireland http://www.childrensbooksireland.com

• International Board on Books for Young People

http://www.ibbyireland.ie

Every country participating in The Crocus Project will have its own

recommended reading list.

The books on this reading list refer specifically to the Holocaust.

Teachers are strongly advised to read all books before reading them in the

classroom and to add their own selections to the list.

The Crocus Project – Booklist

2 The Crocus Project – Booklist

A Friend Called Anne by Jacqueline Van MaarsenEdited by Carol Ann Lee, Puffin Books, 2004 (Age 11+)This is the true story of two best friends, one ofwhom was Anne Frank. Jacqueline van Maarsengives a fascinating and moving account of herfriendship with Anne and describes how she andher own family lived through the Nazi occupation.

Eva’s Story: Survivor’s Tale by the stepsister ofAnne Frank by Evelyn Julia Kent and Eva Schloss,Castle-Kent, 1999 (Age 12+)A refugee in 1938, betrayed and arrested in 1944,Eva was 15 years old when she was sent toAuschwitz – the same age as Anne Frank – onlynow, over 40 years later, has Eva felt able to tell herstory.

Hannah Goslar Remembers Bloomsbury (Age 11)Hannah and her best friend, Anne Frank, lived arelatively normal girlhood – going to school, playingin the park and growing up. Until one day, Annedisappeared and Hannah and her family began torealise that everything was changing around them.In this profoundly moving book, we are told of thehardships of living through the Second World War, ofthe struggle for daily survival and finally of thenightmare of deportation to a concentration camp –where Hannah was once more to meet up with Anne.

The Last Seven Months of Anne Frank by WillyLindwer, Macmillan, 2000 (Age 14+)An account of what happened to Anne betweenher arrest in August 1944 until her death sevenmonths later. This book contains the eyewitnesstestimony of six Jewish female survivors whodescribe Anne’s ordeals as she was transported toWesterbork, Auschwitz, and finally, Bergen-Belsen.

Other Books about Anne Frank

In 1944, Gerrit Bolkestein, a member of the Dutch government in exile, announcedin a radio broadcast from London that after the war he hoped to collect eyewitnessaccounts of the suffering of the Dutch people under the German occupation, whichcould be made available to the public. As an example, he specifically mentionedletters and diaries. The broadcast was heard by a young Jewish girl called Anne Frank,who was hiding with her family and friends in a secret annexe in Amsterdam. She hadbeen keeping a diary of her experiences since they first went into hiding in 1942.

Anne thinks this is a brilliant idea and writes “Just imagine how interesting it would be if I were to publish a novel aboutthe Secret Annexe!” In May 1944, the idea of this novel takes on serious form: “At long last after a great deal of reflectionI have started my Achterhuis (Secret Annexe), in my head it is as good as finished, although it won’t go as quickly as that,if it ever comes off at all”.

The diary of Anne Frank was found in the Secret Annexe after the family wasarrested and was kept carefully by Miep Gies, one of the people who helpedthe family. Miep handed the diary back to Otto Frank, together with Anne’snotebooks and loose sheets of paper, when he returned to Amsterdam.

The diary continues to be read by millions of people all over the world.

The Diary of a Young Girl: Definitive Edition by Anne FrankTranslated by Susan Massotty, Puffin Books, 2002 (Age 11+)

Other editions of the diary are also available.

Anne Frank’s Diary

3The Crocus Project – Booklist

When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit by Judith Kerr,Collins, 2005 (Age 10+)Anna’s father is wanted by the Nazis – dead oralive – and one day he disappears. Then she and herbrother Max are rushed by their mother, inalarming secrecy, away from everything they knew– home and schoolmates and well-loved toys –right out of Germany.

Hana’s Suitcase by Karen Levine, Evans Brothers,2003 (Age 10+)In March 2000, a suitcase arrived at a children’sHolocaust Education Centre in Tokyo. It belonged toan orphan girl called Hana Brady. Everyone wasdesperate to discover the story of Hana – who wasshe? What had happened to her? This is her true story.

Hitler’s Canary by Sandi Toksvig, Doubleday,2005 (Age 10+)This is the story of one of history’s most dramaticrescues – smuggling Denmark’s Jewish populationacross the water to Sweden, and safety. Many ofthe characters are based on the author’s ownfamily, including her father, Bamse, and the bookwas inspired by the stories he told to her.

The Good Liar by Gregory Maguire, The O’BrienPress, 2002 (Age 10+) Teaching guide availablefree on www.obrien.ie/schoolsSet in wartime France, this touching novel tells thestory of Marcel and his brothers Rene and Pierre,who befriend a German soldier during the life-changing summer of 1940. Then Uncle Antonbrings a woman and her young daughter to stayand suddenly everything changes, as the threat ofthe German army looms closer.

Erika’s Story by Ruth Vander Zee, Illustrated byRoberto Innocenti, Cape, 2004 (Age 10+)In a cattle car, on their way to death, Erika’s familythrew her to life. She was thrown from the train andtaken to a woman who risked her life to care for thisbaby. She gave her a name, a birth date, a home,food, clothes and life. This picture book tells Erika’sstory of survival and courage during World War II.

Faraway Home by Marilyn Taylor, The O’BrienPress, 1999 (Age 10+) Teaching guide availablefree on www.obrien.ie/schoolsKarl and his sister Rosa, young Jews who escape the

Nazi terror on a Kindertransport, are forced toleave their family behind. After frighteningexperiences and a harrowing journey, they find ahaven at a refugee farm at Millisle, County Down,in Northern Ireland. The devastating Belfast Blitz of1941 provides the climax to this story, which isbased on true events.

Mischling, Second Degree by Ilse Koehn, PuffinBooks (Age 11+)Ilse Koehn was six years old in 1935 when, unknownto her, she became a mischling, a second degreecitizen in Nazi Germany because she was Jewish.

Rose Blanche by Ian McEwan, Illustrated byRoberto Innocenti, Red Fox, 2004 (Age 10+)Rose Blanche, (Weiße Rose or White Rose), was thename of a group of young German citizens who, attheir peril, protested against the war. Rose is alsothe little girl in this picture book, who watches asthe streets of her small German town fill withsoldiers. When she discovers a place where childrenare imprisoned, staring hungrily from behind anelectric barbed wire fence, she starts bringing themfood. An incredibly powerful visual image of thehorrors of the Holocaust.

War Children by Phil Robins, Scholastic, 2005(Age 15+)Using taped interviews from the Imperial WarMuseum’s extensive Sound Archive, Phil Robins hasgathered together this compelling collection of first-hand accounts from people who grew up during theSecond World War. As well asBritish children’s stories ofevacuation and the Blitz, thisbook also includesmemoriesfromsurvivors oftheHolocaust inEurope, andfrom Germanchildren whowitnessed thenear-totaldestruction oftheir country.

Other Holocaust Stories

4

Surviving Hitler by Andrea Warren, Hodder(Age 12+)It is 1942. Fifteen-year-old Jack Mandelbaum hasjust arrived at a Nazi concentration Camp. Tornfrom his family, he now faces disease, starvationand the insane brutality of the Holocaust. Theharrowing true story…as told by Jack himself.

One Small Suitcase by Barry Turner, PuffinBooks (Age 12+)The true story of the Kindertransport children whowere rescued from Nazi Germany and brought toEngland to start a new life. It has been speciallyadapted for children by Barry Turner from his highlyacclaimed book, And the Policeman Smiled.

I am David by Anne Holm, Houghton MifflinHarcourt, 2004 (Age 12+) David is a 12 year old boy. He has lived all hislife in a concentration camp somewhere inEastern Europe. He does not know anythingabout his parents or where he comes from, orwhy he is in the camp. All he knows is that he isDavid. One day, without any explanation, aguard arranges for him to escape. The book tellsthe story of his journey to Denmark.

17 Martin Street by Marilyn Taylor, TheO’Brien Press, 2008 (Age 11+) A timely story about cultural differences set inDublin during the ‘Emergency’ years and basedon the true story of Renata Stern, a refugeefrom Berlin. In ‘Little Jerusalem’ Hetty, herselfnew to the area, tries to trace Renata, but whennext-door neighbour Ben Byrne learns of this hewonders if he should report the refugee as apossible spy. Eventually they join forces to tryand prevent Renata’s deportation.

In the Claws of the Eagle by Aubrey Flegg, TheO’Brien Press, 2006 (Age 12+)Louise’s portrait now hangs in a Jewish home inVienna where she is audience and critic forbudding violinist Izaac Abrahams. But Izaac’s riseto fame coincides with the rise to power ofAdolf Hitler and he ends up in Auschwitz,playing for the doomed camp inmates, whileLouise is appropriated by SS officer Erich for theNazi art collection. By turns joyful andharrowing, this finely written and moving finaleto a trilogy contrasts the life-affirming power of

music with the destructive forces of prejudiceduring one of the most troubled periods inmodern European history.

The Complete Maus by Art Spiegelman,Penguin, 2003 (Graphic Novel) (Age 14+)The story of Vladek Spiegelman and his wife,living and surviving in Hitler’s Europe. Byaddressing the horror of the Holocaust throughcartoons, the author captures the everydayreality of fear and is able to explore the guilt,relief and extraordinary sensation of survival –and how the children of survivors are in theirown way affected by the trials of their parents.A contemporary classic of immeasurablesignificance.

The Mozart Question by Michael Morpurgo,Walker Books, 2008 (Age 11+)A young journalist has an unexpectedassignment: to interview Paolo Levi, a famousviolinist. Her supervisor cautions her on onething: Don't ask the Mozart question.In the interview, Paolo opens up and tells thestory of how he started playing the violin andhow his playing unearthed family secrets.

Auslander by Paul Dowswell, BloomsburyPublishing plc, 2009 (13+)When Peter's parents are killed, he is sent to anorphanage in Warsaw. Then German soldierstake him away to be measured and assessed.They decide that Peter is racially valuable.Someone important will want to adopt Peter.They do. Professor Kaltenbach is very pleased towelcome such a fine Aryan specimen to hishousehold. Peter doesn't want to be a Nazi, andso he is going to take a very dangerous risk.

Beyond the Wall by Christa Laird, RedfoxLondon, 1995 (Age 14+)It's 1971 and Misha, the Polish Jew whosedevastating early life in the Warsaw Ghetto wasrivetingly told in Shadow of the Wall, is now a grownman with a wife and hostile stepson. In an attemptto come to terms with his past Misha writes downthe terrifying and moving story of the teenageyears he spent as part of an undergroundResistance movement in the Polish countryside.

The Crocus Project – Booklist

The Crocus Project – Booklist 5

Out of the Hitler Time: When Hitler Stole PinkRabbit, Bombs on Aunt Dainty, A Small PersonFar Away by Judith Kerr,Collins, 2002 (Age 15+)Out of the Hitler Time is a compilation of threebooks written by Judith Kerr.1. Anna’s father is wanted by the Nazis – deador alive – and one day he disappears. Thenshe and her brother Max are rushed by theirmother, in alarming secrecy, away fromeverything they know- home and schoolmates and well loved toys-right out ofGermany.

2. Bombs on Aunt Dainty: Anna, now 16 is doingan art course while living with an Americanfamily as the parents are in a refugee hoteland have no money. The book discussed dayto day life and the problems of being a non-citizen, a long-term refugee.

3. A Small Person Far Away: Anna is now anewlywed and it’s 1956. Anna returns toBerlin to visit her mother and ends up relivingher childhood relationship with her mother.

I will Plant you a Lilac Tree by Laura Hillman,Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, 2005(Age 14)In the spring of 1942 Hannelore received a letterfrom Mama at her school in Berlin, Germany.Papa had been arrested and taken to aconcentration camp. Soon another letter arrived.“The Gestapo has notified your brothers and methat we are to be deported to the East –whatever that means.” She made a decision: Shewould go home and be deported with her family.

The Diary of Petr Ginz edited by ChavaPressburger, Atlantic Books, 2007 (Age 14)Petr Ginz was a young Czechoslovak boy of Jewishdescent who was deported to Theresienstadtconcentration camp during the Holocaust. At agefifteen, Ginz was deported to Auschwitzconcentration camp. Petr wrote a diary between1941 and 1942 about his life in the ghetto.

If this is a Man by Primo Levi, Abacus, 1991(Age 15)If This Is a Man is a work of witness by theItalian author Primo Levi. It was influenced byhis experiences in the concentration camp atAuschwitz during the Second World War. Thebook traces the years of Primo Levi from hisentrance into the concentration camp up to theday the camp is deserted and the few remainingsurvivors find their way back to civilisation.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, Doubleday,2007 (Age 15)The Book Thief is set in Nazi Germany beforeand during World War II. The story is told fromthe point of view of Death, a reluctant collectorof souls, who does not enjoy the job appointedto him. One of the few pleasures he has is in thestory of the book thief, Liesel Meminger. She isa young girl who, at her brother’s graveside,picks up a book accidentally left in the snow,and so begins her life of book thievery.

Fateless by Imre Kertesz, NorthwesternUniversity Press, 1992 (Age 16)The novel is about a young Hungarian boy,Georg living in Budapest. Georg receivesworking papers and travels to work outside ofthe Jewish quarter. One day all of the Jews arepulled off of the buses leaving the Ghettos inoccupied Europe 1939 - 1944 and are sent toAuschwitz. Arriving there, Georg lies about hisage, unknowingly saving his own life, and tells usof camp life and the conditionshe faces.

6 The Crocus Project – Booklist

Title

Author

Publisher

Title

Author

Publisher

Title

Author

Publisher

Title

Author

Publisher

Title

Author

Publisher

Title

Author

Publisher

Add your own websites to the list

Add your own titles to the booklist

7

Title

Author

Publisher

Title

Author

Publisher

Title

Author

Publisher

Title

Author

Publisher

Title

Author

Publisher

Title

Author

Publisher

Add your own websites to the list

The Crocus Project – Booklist

Add your own titles to the booklist

8 The Crocus Project – Booklist

Title

Author

Publisher

Title

Author

Publisher

Title

Author

Publisher

Title

Author

Publisher

Title

Author

Publisher

Title

Author

Publisher

Add your own websites to the list

Add your own titles to the booklist

© 2014 Holocaust Education Trust Ireland. All rights reserved.No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means without permission in writing.

Clifton House, Lower Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2, IrelandTel: +353 1 6690593 Email:info@hetireland.org Website: www.hetireland.org

This material has been produced with support from the Department of Education and Skills, Ireland

Co-funded by the Europe for Citizens programme of the European Union

Kunsill Lokali QrendiQrendi Local Council

Eko Centru Qrendi Qrendi Eco Center