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To Look a Nazi in the Eye

a Teen's Account of a War Criminal Trial
May 15, 2018TEENREVIEWCREW rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
To Look A Nazi in the Eye is one of the few books where I choose not to take a side. It feels weird. I almost don’t know what to say. But I do know how I like that the author explores all sides of the story. You can see bits of the perspectives of former nazis who have repented as well as survivors who have and haven’t move on and other survivors that are somewhere in between. Although I strongly dislike the opinion of the whoever denies that the holocaust ever happened, despite all the evidence against that theory. Personally I think it’s great that Groening repented, some Auschwitz survivors forgave him, but he still should pay for his crimes, partially serving as an example to future terrorists and such. Plus, he didn’t take responsibility for his role and his has some holes in it. I only wish he had been tried at an age when he could still be given a proper sentence. I also find it easy to connect with Jordana. Huh. I guess had more to say about this book than I thought. 9 out of 10 for relatability and making me think. @R2-D2 of the Teen Review Board of the Hamilton Public Library Kathy Kacer’s books have always read very juvenile to me, which in some ways is a positive and in most... a negative. This book was short, to-the-point, but it lacked emotional connection to characters. Jordana truly witnessed history when she was present in the courtroom holding a war criminal trial. Oskar Gröning was a German SS junior squad leader who was stationed at the Auschwitz concentration camp, complicit in killing 300,000 Jews. As the granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, witnessing the trial is one of the most important decisions she will make. I found Jordana herself to be a role model for young teens all over the world, but the book itself failed to make a lasting mark due to the writing style. This book truly explores the basis of Nazis and whether or not we should forgive if they repent. Rating 3/5 @jewelreader of the Teen Review Boad of the Hamilton Public Library The horrors of the Holocaust are worse than anything most of us can imagine today. And yes, truth to be told, it appears that with the media/ events today, we have become desensitized to horrors such as violence, warfare, and etc. This is why it is so important for books (like this one), to be written to show the next generations what is one of the most devastating acts in ages. Jordana (our protagonist) is one of the strongest persons I have ever read about. I hope that more people read this and understand it through her eyes - of what it means to be a testament to history. @Siri of the Hamilton Public Library's Teen Review Board