Deem, James M. Kristallnacht

Deem, James M.    Kristallnacht     

 Enslow      2011  128p  31.93 978-0-7660- 

 ms/jr E-BN         

    Through first hand accounts, the first terrible night of violence against jews in Nazi Germany is recounted.     

    While there are so many books about this subject, what makes this book exceptional is that it is written for the tween student in the voice of the subjects about whom the book is about. First hand accounts, memoirs verbal and written add such a strong voice to the subject in this book and make for compelling reading for not just the student but anyone who picks up this book to read. The black and white imagery throughout the text keeps it in the period, and narratives are written in a ‘handwriting’ font which also keeps the context of the book intact. Sidebars throughout the book serve to emphasize specific occurences such as “Kristallnact instructions for gestapo and state police”, page 36 and “A German firefighter remembers”, page 79. The book concludes with a timeline, chapter notes, a glossary, further reading and an index.       

    Holocaust Through Primary Sources (Enslow)      Six titles complete this series which, if the other titles are as well prepared as this title would be a welcome addition to any secondary school or public library collection.  Jews - Persecutions - Germany Lynn Fisher