Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford

The title of this book struck me first.  Followed by the fact it was about the Japanese internment during WWII.  I loved that it told a story about an old man and a child (him as a boy).  However, I became disappointed about halfway through the book when I could easily tell where it was going and how it would end.  It was too predictable for my taste, but I finished it.  It ended just as I thought it would, no surprises.  This would be a good book for a high school student learning more about the Japanese internment, but not as a novel for an educated adult.    

The Devil’s Arithmetic by Jane Yolen

I ordered this book from Scholastic for my classroom.  After reading it, I realize that it is more suited for Jr. High or High School students than 4th graders.  Although I think that younger students  benefit from learning about the Holocaust, I think books more like Number the Stars are more age appropriate for 9 and 10 year olds.  being sent to a concentration camp.  The story told has a magical element of time travel, that she had a hard time selling to me.  However, the purpose and story is there.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Reading this book was a new take on an old topic. The story is told from Death’s perspective, with hand drawn pictures inserted throughout.  I enjoyed the non-traditional aspects of this novel.  The Book Thief is an intricately woven story of a German girl, an accordion player, and a hiding Jew during WWII all told from the memories of Death.  I highly recommend it. 

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne

I read this book in one day. One work-day even, because I couldn’t put it down. The way the story is written from a child’s perspective is just incredible. It is simple enough to be taken at face value, but also poignant enough for the more advanced reader. I am so glad that I took this journey with Bruno, and I hope you do too.

Elly My True Story of the Holocaust by Elly Berkovits Gross

Written as child's nonfiction, Elly tells her story in short segments. It reads like a book of memories, in short bursts. She tells her true story in an honest and open manner, exactly as it happened to her, but with language suitable for elementary students. I would suggest this book as a good introduction to WWII and the Holocaust. This book is written at a fifth grade reading level, and I wouldn’t suggest children below fourth grade reading the story because of it's nature.