1933 – 1945
During World War II, the Holocaust was a genocide during which six million Jews and other minorities were systematically murdered by the Nazis. This horrific event involved mass deportations, ghettos, concentration camps, and extermination camps like Auschwitz. Besides the Holocaust, Jewish people experienced severe persecution, forced labor, and displacement. Some found refuge through resistance movements or were hidden by brave allies.
Picture books
Benno and the Night of Broken Glass
Introduction to Kristalnacht and the Holocaust through the eyes of a neighborhood cat
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The Whispering Town
True story of Danish neighbors working together to help a Jewish family escape
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The Harmonica
Powerful story of a boy keeping hope alive through music in a concentration camp
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Hedy’s Journey: The True Story of a Hungarian Girl Fleeing the Holocaust
True story of a Hungarian girl fleeing through Europe alone
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A Picture Book of Anne Frank
Introduction to Anne Frank for younger readers
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The Tree in the Courtyard: Looking Through Anne Frank’s Window
Gentle introduction to Anne Frank’s story
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Bear and Fred: A World War II Story
Story of a Jewish boy in hiding, told by his teddy bear
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Miep and the Most Famous Diary: The Woman Who Rescued Anne Frank’s Diary
Story of the woman who sheltered Anne Frank’s family and saved her diary
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Nicky & Vera: A Quiet Hero of the Holocaust and the Children He Rescued
Award-winning story of a man who saved almost 700 children from the Nazis, and that of one of the girls he saved
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The Grand Mosque of Paris: A Story of How Muslims Rescued Jews During the Holocaust
Inspiring story of how a French Muslim community sheltered Jewish refugees
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Chapter books
Number the Stars
Award-winning story of a Danish girl hiding her best friend from the Nazis
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When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit
Story of a Jewish girl’s dislocation as her family evades the Nazis
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Someday We Will Fly
Story of a Polish girl whose family escapes to Shanghai and struggles to make a life there
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The Boy In the Striped Pajamas
Powerful story about Auschwitz through the innocent eyes of two young boys
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The Boy on the Wooden Box
True story of the perseverance and survival of a boy on Schindler’s list
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The Librarian of Auschwitz: The Graphic Novel
Graphic novel telling the true story of a girl safeguarding books in Auschwitz
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37 Days at Sea: Aboard the M.S. St. Louis, 1939
Story of a German Jewish refugee girl aboard a ship to Cuba
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Adam and Thomas
Story of two Jewish boys surviving WWII by hiding out in a forest together
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Non-fiction books
What Was the Holocaust?
Detailed, comprehensive intro to the Holocaust
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Parallel Journeys
Real story of two children born only miles apart- but his childhood brought him to the Hitler Youth, while hers brought her to Auschwitz
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My Secret Camera
Story of a man who secretly documented a Polish ghetto, illustrated with his photos
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