Literature related to the Holocaust
A collection of resources for the English/Language Arts classroom
Lesson plans on Holocaust History are available here.
Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl
Resources for teaching the novel, the play, and historical background.
The Book Thief
by Markus Zusak
Lesson plans and resources.
The Devil's Arithmetic
by Jane Yolen
Lesson ideas.
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
Lesson plans for both novel and film.
Farewell to Manzanar
by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston
The injustice done to Japanese-Americans during World War II does not reach the level of horror of the Holocaust. However, a teacher looking for reading material related to this time period might wish to include this title.
Girl in Hyacinth Blue
by Susan Vreeland
Links to lesson plans and activities.
Hana's Suitcase
by Karen Levine
Scroll down on the page for activities related to this story.
I Have Lived a Thousand Years
by Livia Bitton-Jackson
Summary, 12 discussion questions, and related titles.
In My Hands
by Irene Gut Opdyke with Jennifer Armstrong
A reading group guide and a teacher guide.
In My Hands: Memories of a Holocaust Rescuer
by Irene Opdyke as told to Jennifer Armstrong
This teacher's guide includes a summary, a variety of teaching ideas and interdisciplinary connections, vocabulary, and related links.
Maus
by Art Spiegelman
Lesson plans and teaching resources for
Maus I
and
Maus II
.
Milkweed
by Jerry Spinelli
Lesson plans and teaching resources.
Night
by Elie Wisel
Historical background and resources for teaching the novel.
Number the Stars
by Lois Lowry
Novel resources.
Passage to Freedom: The Sugihara Story
by Ken Mochizuki
Several literacy skills are addressed by the resources here.
"Refugee Blues" by W. H. Auden
This lesson plan is part of a unit commemorating the Holocaust. It includes background information, questions, related visuals, and answers. It does not include a copy of the poem.
The Sneetches
by Dr. Seuss
Lesson plans.
Something Remains
by Inge Barth-Grözinger
Booktalk, prereading, discussion questions, and suggestions for crosscurricular projects.
Terrible Things: an Allegory of the Holocaust
by Eve Bunting
This book can be used with young readers and with high school students. Resources are available to support all grade levels.
Upon the Head of the Goat: A Childhood in Hungary, 19391944
and
Grace in the Wilderness: After the Liberation, 19451948
by Aranka Siegal
Questions to help students understand their reading in historical and cultural context. Scroll down to find questions comparing the two books and an author interview. This 8-page document requires Adobe Reader or compatible application for access.
The Wave
by Todd Strasser
Summary, media connections, related titles, links to teaching about the Holocaust. Scroll to the bottom for teaching ideas for this book.