I've read extensively in World War II history. And while I know about the atrocities committed by more than one side, I don't know it all. For example, you can read a lot about the concentration or internment camps, but displaced persons are not mentioned often. Yet they existed, in their millions. I remember one book about what happened to the Germans who took over areas in countries the German army conquered, and what happened to them after the war when they themselves were displaced. I wouldn't wish that on anyone, even if some of them deserved it. But you don't often find books about the people, even the children, who were taken by the Nazis and made slaves, unless it is about the people they forced to make the V-1 and V-2 rockets.
But what about the innocent who were made to work on farms, in the factories, or as house slaves, etc.? Most of us have probably seen "Schindler's List," but many more haven't. This is a good book for young people to read about what happened to other young people during the war. The author wrote the story based on interviews with many of those young people who survived. It is a perfect book for young people who go into deep shock because their cell phone lost its signal or their parents won't let them wear the brand of clothes they want.
The really sad part about it is millions of people, including children, still live under these conditions today. Yet recently a software glitch caused thousands of plane flights to be canceled. A news program showed a women being interviewed who stated being stranded in an airport was a "huge" inconvenience. My immediate reaction was one of revulsion toward her. If I had been there I would have asked if anyone was shooting at her or were her children being starved or killed by rocket fire.
Perhaps parents should read this book with their child and discuss it the next time that child whines about some "hardship." I've traveled to many foreign countries and have seen people living under conditions which in this country would be deemed intolerable. When I complain about something, I often remind myself that billions of people in the world, including many in the U.S. would change places with me no questions asked. Basically, most of us have never had it so good.
But what about the innocent who were made to work on farms, in the factories, or as house slaves, etc.? Most of us have probably seen "Schindler's List," but many more haven't. This is a good book for young people to read about what happened to other young people during the war. The author wrote the story based on interviews with many of those young people who survived. It is a perfect book for young people who go into deep shock because their cell phone lost its signal or their parents won't let them wear the brand of clothes they want.
The really sad part about it is millions of people, including children, still live under these conditions today. Yet recently a software glitch caused thousands of plane flights to be canceled. A news program showed a women being interviewed who stated being stranded in an airport was a "huge" inconvenience. My immediate reaction was one of revulsion toward her. If I had been there I would have asked if anyone was shooting at her or were her children being starved or killed by rocket fire.
Perhaps parents should read this book with their child and discuss it the next time that child whines about some "hardship." I've traveled to many foreign countries and have seen people living under conditions which in this country would be deemed intolerable. When I complain about something, I often remind myself that billions of people in the world, including many in the U.S. would change places with me no questions asked. Basically, most of us have never had it so good.
