Hitler Youth: Growing up in Hitler's shadow by Susan Bartoletti

Bartoletti, Susan Campbell. (2005). Hitler Youth: growing up in Hitler's shadow. New York: Scholastic 

The book is structured around 12 young individuals and their experiences, which clearly demonstrate how they were victims of leaders who took advantage of their innocence and enthusiasm for evil means. Their stories evolve from patriotic devotion to Hitler and zeal to join, to doubt, confusion, and disillusion.Formed in 1926, the Hitler Youth involved seven million boys and girls by 1939 and was instrumental in Hitler's rise to power. Bartoletti makes it clear what appealed to youth: "Excitement, adventure, and new heroes to worship," hope, power, and the "opportunity to rebel against parents, teachers, clergy, and other authority figures."

This book is unique in the fact that it shows how Hitler took advantage of young people, how he brainwashed them into following him. This book is not your typical history book, it's personal, you feel connected. It's a great beginning for a discussion, "What would you have done?". This is a great book not only for middle and high school children, but even for adults.