Hilde and Eli: Children of the Holocaust

This nonfiction historical picture book is an excellent resource to use for a wide variety of ages, from K-12. Adler tells the story of two young children who lived and died during the Holocaust: Hilde, a young Jewish girl from Germany, and Eli, a young Czechoslovakian Jew. The book tells a brief history of both children, and how they ultimately perished along with members of their families during Hitler’s viscous reign. While the book does not go into great detail, it is an excellent resource to use with children of any age, telling a tragic story in a way that is comprehensible yet still poignant.

When a blizzard blows into town on Billy's tenth birthday, he is convinced his day is ruined. But as the winds begin picking up and the snow falls heavier, things don't turn out as he expected. Billy's house is the nearest one to school, and it looks as though he will be having a few after-school guests for a slumber party bigger than any celebration he could have planned!

David Adler tells the story of a young Jewish boy and girl and how their once normal happy lives turn upside down as the Nazis take over. Both the text and illustrations leave readers with clear images of what happened durng the holocaust without being too graphic. It is appropriate for middle school students and above.

Summary:
This book is about to separate children who have to experience of going thru the early years of the Nazi rule in Germany. Hilde and Eli have to move from their homes into ghettos and then forced to move to concentration camps. The both experience deaths of family members and even one of their own deaths.

Personal Reaction:
I found this book very interesting because I also had a family member live thru a concentration camp. I think this book is intended for older children and I would probably share only parts of the book due to the graphics.

Extension Ideas:
1. I would use this book to help me explain the Holocaust.
2. I would possibly use this story in teaching the students about hate.

The story of two Jewish children, a girl in Germany and a boy in Czechoslovakia, during the Holocaust, written for children 10 and older.

NO OF PAGES: 29 SUB CAT I: Children's Resources SUB CAT II: Holocaust SUB CAT III: DESCRIPTION: Hilde was born in Frankfurt, Germany, in 1923. Eli was born in Zarich, Czechoslovakia in 1932. Both were children during the early years of Nazi rule in Germany. They were among the one-and-a-half million Jewish children who were victims of the Holocaust.NOTES: SUBTITLE: Children of the Holocaust