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Books for children and young adults to learn more about the Holocaust

Books for children and young adults to learn more about the Holocaust
NEW DOCUMENTARY TITLED ALWAYS REMEMBER YOUR NAME. DEIRDRE FITZPATRICK JOINS US NOW IN STUDIO WITH MORE ABOUT THE SISTERS FEATURED IN THIS DOCUMENTARY. SO ALWAYS REMEMBER YOUR NAME IS THE STORY OF THE BUCCI SISTERS, ANDREA AND TATIANA BUCCI ARE TWO OF THE YOUNGEST SURVIVORS OF THE AUSCHWITZ CONCENTRATION CAMP, AND MANY DESCRIBE THEIR BOOK AS A PARALLEL STORY TO ANNE FRANK’S. TINA FERGUSON IS THE OWNER OF FACEBOOK BOOKSTORE AND IS JOINING US WITH SOME SUGGESTIONS TO INTRODUCE CHILDREN AND TEENS TO THE HOLOCAUST AND FOR A LOT OF US, ANNE FRANK’S STORY WAS REALLY THE INTRODUCTION TO THAT TIME IN HISTORY. 100% AN INTRODUCTION TO THAT MOMENT IN HISTORY, AND ALSO AN INTRODUCTION TO CHILDREN’S ROLE ROLES IN IN HISTORY AND HOW THEY CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN WHAT’S HAPPENING AROUND THEM AND FOR THE FUTURE. YOU BROUGHT A NUMBER OF BOOKS, AND IT IS INTERESTING, LIKE AS EARLY AS THE AGE OF THREE, WHICH IS WHAT THIS BOOK IS RECOMMENDED FOR. YOU CAN ACTUALLY START INTRODUCING CHILDREN TO THESE HISTORICAL EVENTS. YES, I LOVE CHILDREN’S PICTURE BOOKS THAT ARE CENTERED AROUND NONFICTION EVENTS, AND THIS IS THE TREE OF LIFE ON HOW A SAPLING INSPIRED THE WORLD. AND THIS IS A TRUE STORY THAT TAKES PLACE IN THE TEREZIN CONCENTRATION CAMP. A GENTLEMAN THERE WOULD IN SECRET, MEET WITH JEWISH CHILDREN AND TEACH THEM ABOUT THEIR TRADITIONS AND ABOUT THEIR HOLIDAYS. ONE WHICH IS THE NEW YEAR OF THE TREES. AND HE SOMEHOW GOT A GUARD AT THIS CAMP TO SNEAK IN A SAPLING IN HIS BOOT, AND THEY TOOK THE SAPLING, AND HE AND THE CHILDREN PLANTED IT IN SECRET. AND EVERY DAY IN SECRET WOULD CARE FOR IT. SHARE WHAT LITTLE WATER THEY HAD WITH THE TREE. AND SIX YEARS LATER, WHEN THE WAR WAS OVER, THE TREE WAS OVER FIVE FEET TALL. AND NOW THERE’S OVER 600 SAPLINGS FROM THAT ORIGINAL TREE AROUND THE WORLD. IT’S GOT CHILLS WITH YOU TALKING ABOUT THAT BEAUTIFUL LOIS LOWRY WHO SOME PEOPLE MIGHT REMEMBER. SHE HAS WRITTEN A BOOK CALLED THE GIVER, WHICH IS A BOOK THAT’S USED IN A LOT OF HIGH SCHOOLS. IS REQUIRED READING. SHE HAS ANOTHER ONE ABOUT THE DANISH RESISTANCE AND THIS ONE IS CALLED NUMBER THE STARS. AND THIS IS A TRUE STORY. IT IS A TRUE STORY, AND IT’S POWERFUL BECAUSE IT’S TOLD FROM THE EYES OF TEN YEAR OLD ANA MARIE. SO IT’S TOLD FROM A CHILD’S PERSPECTIVE ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON AROUND HER. AND AS SHE SEES THESE PEOPLE RISKING THEIR VERY LIVES TO GET PEOPLE TO SAFETY IN SWEDEN AND HER FRIEND ELLEN, HER BEST FRIEND, IS HIDDEN WITH HER FAMILY. AND THEN SHE THEN GOES OFF TO SWEDEN AND THE COVER AT THE END OF THE STORY, SHE’S CLUTCHING THIS, HER FRIEND’S NECKLACE, HOPING THAT WHEN THE WAR IS OVER, THEY’LL GET TO BE REUNITED. PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT DENMARK’S ROLE IN THE WAR. 90% OF THE -- IN DENMARK SURVIVED WORLD WAR TWO BECAUSE OF SEVEN OVER 7000. YES, OF OF PEOPLE THERE. THIS IS A FASCINATING ONE. THIS IS CALLED WHEN WE FLEW AWAY AND THIS IS BY ALICE HOFFMAN. THIS IS A STORY ABOUT THE YEARS BEFORE ANNE FRANK WAS DEPORTED TO AUSCHWITZ. YES. I LOVE THAT THIS BOOK OPENS WITH ANNE FRANK, JUST AS ANY OTHER 12 YEAR OLD. JUST THINKING BIG THINGS AND DREAMING BIG DREAMS WANTS TO GO TO CALIFORNIA AND LIVE LIFE. AND SHE THEN HAS TO GO INTO HIDING AND SHE IS, YOU KNOW, SHE HAS TO LEARN ABOUT ALL THESE THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING AND HOW SHE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. AND I JUST THINK IT’S REALLY POWERFUL. ALICE HOFFMAN ACTUALLY SAID THAT SHE BECAME A WRITER BECAUSE OF READING DIARY OF A YOUNG GIRL WHEN SHE WAS A YOUNG GIRL HERSELF. WOW. THE BOOK THIEF IS A BOOK THAT I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE MIGHT RECOGNIZE, BECAUSE THIS WAS ACTUALLY TURNED INTO A MOVIE. AT ONE POINT IT WAS PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE READ THE BOOK AND THEN SEE THE MOVIE. BUT THIS BOOK REALLY HAS RESONATED WITH ME FOR SO LONG. IT’S UNLIKE ANY BOOK I’VE READ. IT’S NARRATED BY DEATH AND DEATH ACTUALLY SEES THIS ONE LITTLE GIRL NAMED LIESEL, WHO’S STEALING BOOKS. LIESEL IS STEALING BOOKS BEFORE SHE EVEN KNOWS HOW TO READ, BECAUSE SHE KNOWS THEY’RE IMPORTANT AND SHE BECOMES THE BOOK THIEF. AND IT’S JUST A STORY ABOUT THIS, ABOUT THE POWER OF WORDS, REALLY TO HEAL, BUT ALSO HOW THEY CAN HURT. OKAY, THIS ONE I FOUND VERY FASCINATING. SO THIS IS CALLED WHITE BOARD OR WHITE BOARD. IT’S BY R.J. PALACIO. IF YOU SAW THE MOVIE AND READ THE BOOK WONDER. YES, THERE IS A CHARACTER, THE BULLY FROM WONDER IS ACTUALLY THE MAIN CHARACTER IN THIS BOOK. YES. SO THIS I CHOSE THIS BOOK BECAUSE IT’S A GRAPHIC NOVEL, WHICH IS REALLY GREAT FOR STORYTELLING. IT’S REALLY GOOD FOR THOSE RELUCTANT READERS WHO DON’T WANT TO GET BOGGED DOWN IN HISTORY, BUT THIS WILL BE SOMETHING THAT’S REALLY GOING TO BE SITTING STRONG WITH THEM. JULIAN IS HAVING A FACE TIME WITH HIS GRANDMOTHER, SARAH, WHO IS IN THE CONCENTRATION CAMPS, AND AS SHE IS RETELLING HIM, HER STORY, HE’S REALIZING THAT, YOU KNOW, THE BULLY THAT HE WAS, THE PERSON THAT HE WAS CAN CHANGE. HE CAN LEARN HOW TO BE EMPATHETIC. HE CAN LEARN HOW TO TO CHANGE AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE. AFTER BEING THAT KIND OF INDIVIDUAL. AND THEN AS WE WRAP UP, OUR DOCUMENTARY IS CALLED ALWAYS REMEMBER YOUR NAME. AND IT’S ACTUALLY THE SAME TITLE AS THE SISTER’S MEMOIR. IT’S WRITTEN, THEY WROTE THIS BOOK AND AS THEY WRITE IT, YOU GENUINELY FEEL LIKE TWO YOUNG GIRLS ARE REMEMBERING THEIR WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM AND THEN ALSO WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM. THE REST OF THEIR LIFE. IT’S VERY IT’S KIND OF DIFFICULT TO EXPLAIN, BUT IT’S REALLY AN AMAZING BOOK. AND CERTAINLY WORTH ALSO INTRODUCIN
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Books for children and young adults to learn more about the Holocaust
"Always Remember Your Name" is the title of our latest documentary. But it's also the title of the Bucci sisters' memoir. Andra and Tatiana Bucci were just 4 and 6 years of age when they were deported from Italy to the Auschwitz concentration camp. Their unusually hopeful book recalls, through a child's eyes, events before, during and after the war. It's been described as a parallel story of "The Diary of a Young Girl," the story of Anne Frank, which has sold more than 30 million copies and is frequently a young reader's introduction to the Holocaust. The sisters, now in their 80s, were two of 50 children under the age of eight to survive Auschwitz-Birkenau and miraculously be reunited with their parents. The sisters share their experiences with school children and lead memory trips back to Auschwitz in the hopes of history not repeating.We asked Tina Ferguson, owner of Face in a Book bookstore, for recommendations on books for children of all ages to learn more about the Holocaust.Here are Tina's picks: "The Tree of Life: How a Holocaust Sapling Inspired the World"Author: Elisa Boxer Illustrator: Alianna Rozentsveig (illustrator) Suitable for ages 3 and upDuring World War II, at the Terezin concentration camp, a devoted teacher held secret classes for children, teaching them about Jewish history and traditions – including a holiday known as the New Year of the Trees, which is honored by planting a tree. The teacher bribed a guard, who smuggled a sapling into the camp in his boot. The children planted the sapling and cared for it. Over time, many children were taken but those who remained shared their water and lovingly took care of the tree. When the War at last came to an end, the sapling had grown to be five feet tall. Today, around 600 saplings from this tree have been planted around the world, including in front of New York City’s Museum of Jewish Heritage, as a sign of hope for a bright future.Children will see that this is a powerful story of hope and resilience in the face of unimaginable hardship, teaching them about the enduring power of life and the importance of nurturing even small acts of kindness, all while providing a gentle introduction to the complexities of the Holocaust through a relatable, symbolic narrative about a tree planted by children in a concentration camp."Number the Stars" Author: Lois Lowry Suitable for ages 8 and upIn this unforgettable Newbery Medal-winning novel, the German troops begin their campaign to "relocate" all the Jews of Denmark. Annemarie Johansen’s family takes in Annemarie’s best friend, Ellen Rosen, and conceals her as part of the family.Through the eyes of 10-year-old Annemarie, we watch as the Danish resistance smuggles almost the entire Jewish population of Denmark, nearly 7,000 people, across the sea to Sweden. The heroism of an entire nation reminds us that there was pride and human decency in the world, even during a time of terror and war.The story ends with the war’s end and Annemarie donning Ellen’s Star of David necklace, with the hope that she will soon see her friend again.There’s a quote I like from the Lord of the Rings movie, "The Fellowship of the Ring." It goes, “Even the smallest person can change the course of the future.” I believe that is a strong message in this story and one that’s important to children to know that they have agency and that they can make a difference for good."When We Flew Away" Author: Alice Hoffman Suitable for ages 8 and upHoffman sets out to explore Anne Frank’s life before she and her family went into hiding and has created a story of Anne as a bright, high-spirited girl who fights with her older sister, feels criticized by her mother, who dreams of the possibility of a life in California, and whose childhood comes to feel increasingly hemmed-in and threatened as a reign of terror grows closer.She wants and dreams, but can see by the actions of her parents — her father cries at his helplessness in getting his family overseas, and her mother hides her jewelry — that these hopes and dreams might slip away. Add on top of that the new restrictions Jews were facing. American children reading this book might be startled to learn about the segregation, the yellow stars, and the rules prohibiting even such things as ice-skating for the Jewish children. Hopefully, by reading this, they realize that the bright star that was Anne Frank should have been allowed to shine.The author read "The Diary of a Young Girl" when she was 12 years old and said that it changed the person she was. It made her realize that even though there was evil in the world, it was still possible to be brave and to have a dream. And it made her want to be a writer. I wonder if children reading this book might find that same inspiration."White Bird" Author: R.J. Palacio Suitable for ages 9 and upThrough a FaceTime chat, Julien has asked his grandmother Sara about her wartime experience. Readers of the author’s previous book, "Wonder," will recognize the grandson as the bully of that story. He’s come to see his previous behavior as wrong, and his grandmother’s experiences remind him how important it is – and how it often takes courage – to be kind and to do the right thing.A graphic novel is a great and powerful storytelling vehicle. The author skillfully ties these terrible events to the threats of today’s world. The character’s grandson, and hopefully the readers of this novel, learn that these terrible events of the past don’t have to be repeated and that our positive actions are necessary to keep the world a safe and just place for all."The Book Thief" Author: Markus Zusak Suitable for ages 13 and upDeath narrates this story – the life of a girl named Liesel, who steals her first book from her brother’s gravesite. She becomes the book thief of the title, even before she knows how to read, stealing books from the site of Nazi book-burnings. Liesel learns to read and befriends a neighbor boy named Rudy, and a Jewish man, Max, who comes to her foster father seeking refuge from the Nazis. Max, hidden in the basement, becomes part of the family – and writes a story for Liesel, using painted-over pages of "Mein Kampf," the autobiographical manifesto by Adolf Hitler. It’s a perfect metaphor – for this is a story about the power of words to both hurt and heal.Liesel experiences great suffering and loss before the war’s end, and many of the characters we meet are gathered up by Death, but still, this is a hopeful story, with a message that our lives matter. The New York Times called this “the kind of book that can be life-changing” and I think that, especially for young people, who so often look for answers to life’s complexities in fiction, there are answers to be found here.Watch "Always Remember Your Name" at 9 p.m. on KCRA 3.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter

"Always Remember Your Name" is the title of our latest documentary. But it's also the title of the Bucci sisters' memoir.

Andra and Tatiana Bucci were just 4 and 6 years of age when they were deported from Italy to the Auschwitz concentration camp. Their unusually hopeful book recalls, through a child's eyes, events before, during and after the war. It's been described as a parallel story of "The Diary of a Young Girl," the story of Anne Frank, which has sold more than 30 million copies and is frequently a young reader's introduction to the Holocaust.

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The sisters, now in their 80s, were two of 50 children under the age of eight to survive Auschwitz-Birkenau and miraculously be reunited with their parents. The sisters share their experiences with school children and lead memory trips back to Auschwitz in the hopes of history not repeating.

We asked Tina Ferguson, owner of Face in a Book bookstore, for recommendations on books for children of all ages to learn more about the Holocaust.

Here are Tina's picks:

"The Tree of Life"
Tina Ferguson
"The Tree of Life: How a Holocaust Sapling Inspired the World"

Author: Elisa Boxer

Illustrator: Alianna Rozentsveig (illustrator)

Suitable for ages 3 and up

During World War II, at the Terezin concentration camp, a devoted teacher held secret classes for children, teaching them about Jewish history and traditions – including a holiday known as the New Year of the Trees, which is honored by planting a tree.

The teacher bribed a guard, who smuggled a sapling into the camp in his boot. The children planted the sapling and cared for it. Over time, many children were taken but those who remained shared their water and lovingly took care of the tree.

When the War at last came to an end, the sapling had grown to be five feet tall. Today, around 600 saplings from this tree have been planted around the world, including in front of New York City’s Museum of Jewish Heritage, as a sign of hope for a bright future.

Children will see that this is a powerful story of hope and resilience in the face of unimaginable hardship, teaching them about the enduring power of life and the importance of nurturing even small acts of kindness, all while providing a gentle introduction to the complexities of the Holocaust through a relatable, symbolic narrative about a tree planted by children in a concentration camp.

"Number the Stars"
Tina Ferguson

"Number the Stars"

Author: Lois Lowry

Suitable for ages 8 and up

In this unforgettable Newbery Medal-winning novel, the German troops begin their campaign to "relocate" all the Jews of Denmark. Annemarie Johansen’s family takes in Annemarie’s best friend, Ellen Rosen, and conceals her as part of the family.

Through the eyes of 10-year-old Annemarie, we watch as the Danish resistance smuggles almost the entire Jewish population of Denmark, nearly 7,000 people, across the sea to Sweden. The heroism of an entire nation reminds us that there was pride and human decency in the world, even during a time of terror and war.

The story ends with the war’s end and Annemarie donning Ellen’s Star of David necklace, with the hope that she will soon see her friend again.

There’s a quote I like from the Lord of the Rings movie, "The Fellowship of the Ring."

It goes, “Even the smallest person can change the course of the future.”

I believe that is a strong message in this story and one that’s important to children to know that they have agency and that they can make a difference for good.

"When We Flew Away"
Tina Ferguson

"When We Flew Away"

Author: Alice Hoffman

Suitable for ages 8 and up

Hoffman sets out to explore Anne Frank’s life before she and her family went into hiding and has created a story of Anne as a bright, high-spirited girl who fights with her older sister, feels criticized by her mother, who dreams of the possibility of a life in California, and whose childhood comes to feel increasingly hemmed-in and threatened as a reign of terror grows closer.

She wants and dreams, but can see by the actions of her parents — her father cries at his helplessness in getting his family overseas, and her mother hides her jewelry — that these hopes and dreams might slip away. Add on top of that the new restrictions Jews were facing.

American children reading this book might be startled to learn about the segregation, the yellow stars, and the rules prohibiting even such things as ice-skating for the Jewish children. Hopefully, by reading this, they realize that the bright star that was Anne Frank should have been allowed to shine.

The author read "The Diary of a Young Girl" when she was 12 years old and said that it changed the person she was. It made her realize that even though there was evil in the world, it was still possible to be brave and to have a dream. And it made her want to be a writer. I wonder if children reading this book might find that same inspiration.

"White Bird"
Tina Ferguson

"White Bird"

Author: R.J. Palacio

Suitable for ages 9 and up

Through a FaceTime chat, Julien has asked his grandmother Sara about her wartime experience. Readers of the author’s previous book, "Wonder," will recognize the grandson as the bully of that story. He’s come to see his previous behavior as wrong, and his grandmother’s experiences remind him how important it is – and how it often takes courage – to be kind and to do the right thing.

A graphic novel is a great and powerful storytelling vehicle. The author skillfully ties these terrible events to the threats of today’s world. The character’s grandson, and hopefully the readers of this novel, learn that these terrible events of the past don’t have to be repeated and that our positive actions are necessary to keep the world a safe and just place for all.

"The Book Thief"
Tina Ferguson

"The Book Thief"

Author: Markus Zusak

Suitable for ages 13 and up

Death narrates this story – the life of a girl named Liesel, who steals her first book from her brother’s gravesite. She becomes the book thief of the title, even before she knows how to read, stealing books from the site of Nazi book-burnings.

Liesel learns to read and befriends a neighbor boy named Rudy, and a Jewish man, Max, who comes to her foster father seeking refuge from the Nazis. Max, hidden in the basement, becomes part of the family – and writes a story for Liesel, using painted-over pages of "Mein Kampf," the autobiographical manifesto by Adolf Hitler. It’s a perfect metaphor – for this is a story about the power of words to both hurt and heal.

Liesel experiences great suffering and loss before the war’s end, and many of the characters we meet are gathered up by Death, but still, this is a hopeful story, with a message that our lives matter.

The New York Times called this “the kind of book that can be life-changing” and I think that, especially for young people, who so often look for answers to life’s complexities in fiction, there are answers to be found here.

Watch "Always Remember Your Name" at 9 p.m. on KCRA 3.

See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter