School Library Journal» World War II

Pick of the Day: Courage Has No Color: The True Story of the Triple Nickles: America’s First Black Paratroopers

SLJ — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 14:00:19 +0000

STONE, Tanya Lee. Courage Has No Color: The True Story of the Triple Nickles: America’s First Black Paratroopers. 160p. appendix. bibliog. chron. notes. photos. reprods. Candlewick. Jan. 2013. Tr $24.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5117-6; ebook $24.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-6405-3.
Gr 5 Up–A moving, thoughtful history of the United States military’s first black paratrooper unit. During World War II, African American soldiers were mostly relegated to service and security jobs, generally denied the same training and active-combat positions that were available to their white counterparts. Expertly woven together are two narratives: the large, overarching history of rampant racism in the U.S. military and the smaller, tightly focused account of a group of black soldiers determined to serve their country and demonstrate their value as soldiers. Readers are taken along on the emotional journey with the soldiers as they leapt forward from guard duty at The Parachute School into official paratrooper training, the first of its kind for blacks. They faced multiple setbacks as they encountered discrimination, some justified as “policy” and some that was more personal and insidious. Throughout the book, the courage and strength of these men is evidenced in their tireless quest to be the best at what they do, throwing themselves headlong into sometimes dangerous and terrifying training requirements. The photographs and the design of the book as a whole are a gift to readers. Rich with detail, the pictures not only complement the narrative, but also tell a stirring story of their own, chronicling the triumphs and frustrations of the soldiers as they pursued their dreams. Complete accessibility to a wide range of readers, coupled with expert research and meticulous care, makes this a must-have for any library.–Jody Kopple, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA

To read an interview with Tanya Lee Stone, see Jennifer M. Brown’s “A Mission Above and Beyond Them.”

Pick of the Day: Otto Frank, Father of Anne (DVD)

SLJ — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 14:00:24 +0000

Otto Frank, Father of Anne. DVD. 75 min. MVD Entertainment Group. 2012. ISBN unavail. $119.97.
Gr 9 Up–Anne Frank’s diary has been translated into more than 67 languages and, as a result of her father’s persistence, it has become the world’s greatest single document about the Holocaust. In David DeJongh’s revealing documentary, we meet Otto, Anne’s father, who was an officer in Germany’s army during WW I. The family fled to Holland during Hitler’s reign, and Anne’s diary was written while they were in hiding. Otto survived Auschwitz and was disconsolate over losing his daughters and wife. But his life took on a singular, passionate purpose when Anne’s diary anonymously came to him. He edited the diaries and doggedly pursued publishers to print the book. Finally, faced with rejection, he paid for the printing of the initial editions. Firsthand interviews and rare footage from Europe reveal controversies and battles unimagined by the Diary’s readers. There were also lawsuits over stage and screen rights. Testimonies revealing the Franks’ life in hiding and Otto’s own bias favoring his younger daughter contribute to a compelling investigation of a father’s mission to make his daughter’s voice heard. This film offers conflicting accounts form eyewitnesses about the events surrounding Anne and her diary as well as source material that is sure to spark discussion and debate. An excellent addition to Holocaust collections.–Robin Levin, Fort Washakie School/Community Library, WY

Pick of the Day: Shadow on the Mountain

SLJ — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 13:00:12 +0000

PREUS, Margi. Shadow on the Mountain. 386p. bibliog. chron. maps. photos. CIP. Abrams/Amulet. 2012. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-4197-0424-6. LC 2012015623.
Gr 6-9–This engrossing offering sheds light on the Norwegians’ courage during World War II. Preus masterfully weds a story of friendship with the complications faced by 14-year-old Espen and his friends as Nazi restrictions and atrocities become part of their everyday lives. Espen not only has to deal with the political turmoil, but also with discovering that his best friend has joined the German cause, which Espen is committed to work against. Even his young sister, Ingrid, joins the resistance when she gets a bit older. Norway’s hazardous topography adds to the adventure as Espen must ski across dangerous mountain passes in order to carry out his secret missions. This is at once a spy thriller, a coming-of-age story, and a chronicle of escalating bravery. Multidimensional characters fill this gripping tale that keeps readers riveted to the end. An informative author’s note explains that Espen was inspired by Erling Storrusten, who, as a teenager, helped in the resistance movement. A “Bonus for Code Breakers” and instructions for making invisible ink are appealing additions. Preus aptly celebrates the determination of ordinary citizens in this book. Similar truths are told in Mal Peet’s Tamar: A Novel of Espionage, Passions and Betrayal (Candlewick, 2008) and Kathy Kacer’s Night Spies (Tandem, 2003).–Renee Steinberg, formerly at Fieldstone Middle School, Montvale, NJ