What Was the Holocaust? is a highly regarded addition to the New York Times best-selling series aimed at educating young minds about historical events with sensitivity and care. Gail Herman provides a thoughtful and age-appropriate introduction to the Holocaust, a tragic chapter in human history marked by immense suffering and resilience.
The Holocaust was a genocide of unprecedented scale, leading to the deaths of approximately twelve million people in Nazi death camps, six million of whom were Jews. This book takes readers on a journey through the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazis, whose extreme anti-Semitism prompted laws that humiliated Jewish individuals and led to forced relocation into ghettos across Eastern Europe. Ultimately, this dark narrative culminated in the horrifying implementation of the Final Solution.
Gail Herman succeeds in distilling complex historical events into an engaging narrative that is suitable for elementary-school audiences. The book is well-researched and written in a readable style, making it accessible while preserving the gravity of the subject matter. Its insightful portrayal offers young readers just the right amount of information to understand the significance of historical events and the importance of compassion and tolerance in today's world.
This entry in the best-selling series is particularly visually engaging, boasting eighty carefully chosen illustrations alongside sixteen pages of black-and-white photographs. These images complement the narrative and provide pivotal visual context, enhancing young readers’ understanding of the Holocaust. The book not only educates children on this crucial topic but also encourages them to reflect on the importance of kindness and humanity.
Overall, What Was the Holocaust? is an essential classroom resource and a thought-provoking addition to any young reader's library, guiding them through one of history's darkest periods with care and sensitivity.
