Nazi Hunters: How a Team of Spies and Survivors Captured the World’s Most Notorious Nazi. By Neal Bascomb

Nazi Hunters is a compelling example of narrative non-fiction that reads like a true spy novel. The pages are filled with primary sources gathered during the suspenseful hunt for Adolf Eichmann, the orchestrator of the Nazi’s Final Solution. Nazi Hunters begins with the retelling of Eichmann’s rise to power in the Nazi Party, the end of World War II, and his escape to Argentina. Sixteen years later he was found and a team of special Israeli spies was sent out to secretly capture him and smuggle Eichmann back to Israel where he could stand trial. Through the spies’ retelling of the story, we learn about the preparation and dangers of the mission. From disguises to hidden cameras, the Israeli spies employed every trick up their sleeves to confirm the man they would capture was indeed the man they sought for his involvement in the death of millions.

Nazi Hunters is a great read for high school students interested in the Holocaust, spy novels or the events surrounding World War II.  The text is supplemented by photographs, maps, and documents used during the reconnaissance, capture and escort phases of the mission. --Claudio Leon

Bascomb, Neal. Nazi Hunters: How a Team of Spies and Survivors Captured the World’s Most Notorious Nazi. New York: Arthur A. Levine Books. 2013. Print.

For a few discussion questions from the folks at Unleashing Readers, click here.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas: a fable by John Boyne

The Fury has come for dinner and decided Bruno’s father is destined for greatness, so the family is moving to Out-with.  Told from the perspective of nine-year old Bruno, Boyne’s tale is a brilliantly written short novel which offers an engaging counterpoint or supplement to the textbook teachings on the Holocaust for middle and high school students.  While most fiction for adolescents features an adolescent protagonist, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas requires a more sophisticated reader to appreciate the clever wordplay referring to Hitler and Auschwitz.   Readers of all ages stand to benefit from the discussions the book will be sure to inspire, including the importance of questioning one’s surroundings, following a moral compass, and genocide.  The ending packs a quiet punch--wait to see the movie if you can.  Originally published in 2006, back matter in the 2011 edition includes eight discussion questions from Pat Scales and an interview with the author.  --Jessica Fenster-Sparber

Oxford University Press has published an 88-page teacher guide written by Hayley Davies-Edwards.  You can get it for free here.

Boyne, John.  The Boy in the Striped Pajamas: a fable.  New York: Random House, 2011.  Print.