The Righteous Gentiles

School Library Journal

Gr 6 Up-These two volumes complete the series. Each well-researched volume examines a single topic using primary- and secondary-source quotations in addition to narratives to provide the context for understanding one of history's greatest tragedies. Ayer offers a graphic description of liberation, bewilderment, life in the DP camps, and the mood of the world, as well as the survivors' struggles to rebuild their lives. After reading the previous title, Sherrow's book is a tonic. It introduces the noble individuals who risked their lives and those of their families to rescue Jews, as well as churches and governments that defied Hitler's orders to deport the Jews to the camps. In both titles, shaded sidebars highlight important figures and present compelling anecdotes that create a sense of intimacy between reader and subject. The authors' writing styles range from objective to concerned to impassioned, resulting in vital as well as informative reads. The photographs are distinct and well selected. These titles are better than "The Holocaust" volumes (Grolier) and as good as those in the "Holocaust Series" (Blackbirch).-Marcia W. Posner, Holocaust Memorial and Educational Center of Nassau County, Glen Cove, NY