The Holocaust: The Origins, Events, and Remarkable Tales of Survival

Gr 5–7—Readers are given a broad but detailed overview of the Holocaust in this title divided into three sections: "The Coming Storm," "From War to Genocide," and "Freedom and Remembrance." The first two spreads are dedicated to providing a bit of backdrop to the Jewish experience, with discussions on the Jewish diaspora, language, and religion. The rest of the work, spread by spread, follows the increasing hatred and violence against Jewish people in World War II Germany that ultimately led up to the Holocaust. A "Prisoners and Symbols" spread breaks down the many methods the Nazis used to identify or mark those in concentration camps, and a "Heroes of Humanity" spread highlights figures such as Oskar Schindler, Nicholas Winton, and Aristides de Sousa Mendes, who each helped save countless Jewish lives. The volume rounds out with a discussion of Israel and Holocaust memorial sites. The text is presented in a conversational and accessible tone. The content and images make this resource more suited for students who have prior knowledge of the Holocaust. The large trim size allows for each spread to showcase full-color illustrations, maps, and charts along with text inserts of varying length. However, this could prove distracting for readers. A glossary is included, defining words such as anti-Semitic and Zionism.