Book Suggestion on theme of the Holocaust for an 11 yo boy

[Tillyboo]

Hi, my almost 11 year old nephew showed an interest in my Geneology work as some of our family were Dutch Jews and many many of them perished in the camps.

He has an interest in what the camps looked like, what life was like etc. so I thought I'd try and find him a novel or maybe a factual book about this subject.

I've heard 'The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas' is a bit dark and scary. So, any other recommendations ?
Would 'The Diary of Anne Frank' be interetsing for a boy ?

I don't want to give him nightmares or scare him, even though he wanted to see graphic images.

Thanks

[BelleDeChocolateFluffyBunny]

Ds read Anne Frank's diary, he was a little younger then 11 though but he said it was really good. I was there when he wanted to know things aswell. I can't think of any more books suitable for children, how about schindlers list? I can't remember how graphic the movie was to be honest but the book should be on similar lines.

[displayuntilbestbefore]

"Fugitive Pieces" by Anne Michael is an amazing book. Been some years since I read it last and wasn't checking along the way to see if it would be ok for an 11yr old to read, but it might be worth a look.

[LadyGlencoraPalliser]

It's not about the camps, but has he read When Hitler stole Pink Rabbit? It would put some of the background into context for him. I definitely think he should read Anne Frank also. Schindler's Ark I think might be OK, but it is some years since I read it so you would want to check first.

[MintyCan]

The devils arithmetic is very good :

www.amazon.co.uk/Devils-Arithmetic-Jane-Yolen/dp/1903015103/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=126382405&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21 4&sr=8-3

[MintyCan]

Also Number the Stars :

www.amazon.co.uk/Number-Stars-Lois-Lowry/dp/0006736777/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1263824188&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21 1-1

[FranSanDisco]

The Silver Sword may appeal to boys.

[luckyblackcat]

I was about to suggest The Silver Sword

[FranSanDisco]

This is it The Silver Sword by Ian Serralier. This is on my uni reading list for forthcoming module on children's books.

[nickelbabe]

I am David by Anne Holm,
Hiding Edith by Kathy Kacer (isbn 9781408113653)
I have lived a thousand years by Livia Bitton-Jackson (isbn 9780743408752)
Once by Morris Gleitzman(isbn 9780141320632)
The Mozart Question by Michael Morpurgo (isbn 9781406312201

[FranSanDisco]

I have just finished Anne Frank and though I enjoyed it she does talk alot about puberty which perhaps an 11 yo boy may find embarrassing. Of course this depends on the boy so perhaps your nephew would be OK.

[librarymice]

Definitely Once. It's dark, but then most books on that subject will be. It was chosen as one of the free books year 7 students could choose from this year so definitely suitable for an 11 year-old. Boy in Striped Pyjamas is not particularly dark but it is also not accurate historically so I wouldn't go for that.
The Mozart Question is also really good, with a less direct approach to the subject, but it doesn't lessen the impact of the story.

[mimsum]

Imo The boy in the striped pyjamas isn't particularly dark and scary - at least not on the surface - but it's not very good either! And I suspect that most 10/11 year olds wouldn't know enough about the background to be able to put it into context

Schindler's List I think would be a bit dull for such a young child - although fascinating for me as an adult

I thought the Silver Sword was brilliant when I was your nephew's age - and would thoroughly recommend it

[cory]

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas is just totally implausible; if he has any sense it would irritate him no end. (if the hero is able to sneak in under the fence to join his friends, how come the inmates are too dim/helpless to escape?)

[LadyGlencoraPalliser]

I have to say I totally disagree about Anne Frank being unsuitable. Both my 12 and 9 year old daughters have read the unabridged version and it has provoked a lot of interesting discussion. Why shouldn't a boy of the same age read it? Yes, she is very open about her developing body and her sexuality, but should boys not be allowed to get some insight into how girls feel and think at that age?

[ChilloDOESNOTLIKELIARShippi]

Hitler's Canary?

[Tillyboo]

Thank you all for the brilliant suggestions - I have gone for 'The Silver Sword'.

Think I may have to read it first ....

[LadyGlencoraPalliser]

Do read it first. It's a great read.

[TuppyGlossop]

Hana's Suitcase by Karen Levine. An amazing book. The chapters alternate between the story of Hana and George being deported from their home in Czechoslovakia to Terezin and then to Auschwitz with the contemporary story of the Tokyo museum of the holocaust. The museum acquires Hana's suitcase and try to trace it's history. It is an amazing story with as close to a happy ending as you will get with a holocaust story. Great illustrations and photographs. I read it in a couple of hours as did my 11 yo. We both cried buckets.

[Tillyboo]

Have managed to get the Silver Sword at the library for me to read too. Can't wait to make a start, roll on bed time !

Hana's suitcase is next on my list.

[nightcat]

saw Silver Sword at Polka theatre once with my ds, not a dry eye in the house..

[golemmings]

The Wave by Moreton Rhue is good too - although I'l let somebody else comment on the suitability for an11 year old.

I read it when I was at uni - although the person who lent it to me used it as a secondary scool text. Its the story of a social experiemt which went somewhat wrong.

A teacher showed his pupils a film about the Nazis' persecution of the Jews,but they can't believe it could happen. So he introduces a new disciplinary system in an attempt to shown them how powerful group pressure can be...

Its based on a true incident that occured in a high school history class in Palo Alto, California, in 1969.

[NotAPollyanna]

Hi Maus by Art Spiegleman is excellent and written as a comic book. I really recommend it. It is primarily about the experience of a survivor's child but deals with the experiences of the parents too.

The Wave as mentioned above also very good.

Maus