Why did we choose the theme, "Investigating the Holocaust: What Happened and Why?"

A study of the Holocaust teaches not only critical lessons in history, but leads to an investigation of human behavior, moral courage, and social responsibility. Studying the Holocaust helps to illustrate what can happen when people hate - something that unfortunately is not limited to one time or place.

Through teaching and studying the Holocaust, we encourage teachers and students alike to examine the historical context of the Holocaust as well as its importance in our society. This subject, raising questions of justice, individual identity, group identity, peer pressure, conformity, indifference, citizenship, and power, challenges students to confront these same issues often present in their daily lives.

Contents of Middle School Trunk & Annotated Bibliography (pdf)

The contents of this trunk include multiple copies of selected books that can be used for reading groups. These books are Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl, Devil’s Arithmetic, Friedrich, and Hana’s Suitcase. There are 6 copies of each of these books in the trunk.

You will also find two copies of each of these books: Milkweed, Rutka’s Notebook, and Sharing is Healing.

There are a number of single copy books included in the trunk.  The trunk contains books and materials at a variety of reading and skill levels.

Optional Additional Materials for Middle School Trunk

If you would like to request that any of these materials be added to your trunk, please indicate this on your trunk request form by writing, "please add..." in the comment field.  Please review the contents of the trunk before requesting that additional materials be added.

• "Devil's Arithmetic." 1999. 97 mins. (DVD/VHS)
  
  
• "Short Life of Anne Frank." 28 mins. Documentary. (DVD)
  The story of her life is told through quotations from her diary, unique photographs from the Frank Family albums and historical film extracts. It also includes the only film footage of Anne Frank. The film tells not only the story of Anne Frank, her diary, her family and the secret annex, but also of the Second World War and the persecution of the Jews.
  
• Reiss, Johanna.  The Upstairs Room. NY: Harper Trophy, 1972.
  When the German army occupied Holland, Annie deLeeuw was eight years old. Because she was Jewish, the occupation put her in grave danger - she knew that to stay alive, she would have to hide. Fortunately, a non-Jewish family offered to help. For two years they hid Annie and her sister in the cramped upstairs room of their farmhouse. Multiple copies available.
  
• Spinelli, Jerry. Milkweed. NY: Scholastic Inc, 2004.
  2 copies are included in the trunk. Additional copies available.