We Must Not Forget

Synopsis:

“As World War II raged, millions of young Jewish people were caught up in the horrors of the Nazis’ Final Solution. Many readers know of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi state’s genocidal campaign against European Jews and others of so-called “inferior” races. Yet so many of the individual stories remain buried in time. Of those who endured the Holocaust, some were caught by the Nazis and sent to concentration camps, some hid right under Hitler’s nose, some were separated from their parents, some chose to fight back. Against all odds, some survived. They all have stories that must be told. They all have stories we must keep safe in our collective memory.

In this thoroughly researched and passionately written narrative nonfiction for upper middle-grade readers, critically acclaimed author Deborah Hopkinson allows the voices of Holocaust survivors to live on the page, recalling their persecution, survival, and resistance. Focusing on testimonies from across Germany, the Netherlands, France, and Poland, Hopkinson paints a moving and diverse portrait of the Jewish youth experience in Europe under the shadow of the Third Reich. With archival images and myriad interviews, this compelling and beautifully told addition to Holocaust history not only honors the courage of the victims, but calls young readers to action — by reminding them that heroism begins with the ordinary, everyday feat of showing compassion toward our fellow citizens.”

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Review:

A thoroughly researched book, We Must Not Forget, gives the accounts of young people across Europe who not only survived the Holocaust but also resisted the atrocity as well. These individual accounts, bring this time period to life in ways a high school history book cannot. What I liked about this book is that many people’s testimonies begin long before World War II actually started. Hitler didn’t one day choose to randomly persecute Jews. There was a systematic plan in place that started slowly and increased in momentum over the course of years. Often, American History focuses more closely on the time period when the U.S. entered the war, but this genocide started long before 1941.

Again, what I also liked about this book is that Deborah Hopkinson shares stories from across Europe. Hitler’s reach was far. Farther than Germany and Poland. And with stories from that stretch across Europe the reader can see just how unsafe it really was for Jews and others at the time. Many families wanted to believe that if they followed the strict rules, they would be safe. Many had established businesses and careers they didn’t want to leave. Others had lived for generations in the same town and had family in the area and were reticent to move. Unfortunately, the rules became more strict and families were often separated as the SS raided communities across Europe.

Reading books, especially firsthand accounts, about the Holocaust is more important than ever as the generation who lived, survived, and resisted are passing away. I think the title of this book says it best, we must not forget.

Verdict:

We Must Not Forget is filled with powerful accounts of the strength and courage of everyday people under horrific conditions. This is a must-read for young readers to not only show the atrocities of what happened but to also show the acts of defiance and heroism from individuals to help in any way they could.

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Need to Know:

Title: We Must Not Forget: Holocaust Stories of Survival and Resistance
Author: Deborah Hopkinson
Publisher: Scholastic
Publication Date: May 18, 2021
Page Number: 384 pgs.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.