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To Look a Nazi in the Eye: A teen's account of a war criminal trial
The true story of nineteen-year-old Jordana Lebowitz’s time at the trial of Oskar Groening, known as the "bookkeeper of Auschwitz", a man charged with being complicit in the deaths of more than 300,000 Jews. A granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, Jordana was still not prepared for what she would see and hear. Listening to Groening’s testimony and to the Holocaust survivors who came to testify against him, Jordana felt the weight of being witness to history – a history that we need to remember now more than ever.
175 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 12, 2017
22 people are currently reading
705 people want to read
About the author
Kathy Kacer
50 books55 followersKathy Kacer was born in Toronto and has lived there all her life (with the exception of three years in New Brunswick). She has a Master’s degree in Psychology and worked for many years with troubled teens and their families. She stopped working full time in 1995 to pursue her dream of becoming a children’s author. That dream came true with the publication of her first book, The Secret of Gabi’s Dresser, in 1999. She has been writing ever since.
Her parents were both survivors of the Holocaust. Her mother survived the war in hiding; her father was a survivor of the concentration camps. Their stories of survival were an inspiration to Kathy as she was growing up. As an adult, she was determined to write their stories and pass them on to young readers. She went on to write more than twenty books, all focused on the Holocaust. These books include The Night Spies, The Diary of Laura’s Twin, To Hope and Back, Hiding Edith, the Whispers series, and The Magician of Auschwitz. Many of her books have won awards in Canada, the United States, and Israel. Her books have been sold in over twenty countries around the world.
In addition to writing, Kathy teaches at the University of Toronto (Continuing Studies). She also speaks to children in schools and libraries around the world about the importance of understanding the Holocaust and keeping its memory alive. In addition, she lectures in universities and colleges on the topic of teaching sensitive material to young children.
She is married and has two children, Gabi and Jake. Both children share her family’s love of stories.
Her parents were both survivors of the Holocaust. Her mother survived the war in hiding; her father was a survivor of the concentration camps. Their stories of survival were an inspiration to Kathy as she was growing up. As an adult, she was determined to write their stories and pass them on to young readers. She went on to write more than twenty books, all focused on the Holocaust. These books include The Night Spies, The Diary of Laura’s Twin, To Hope and Back, Hiding Edith, the Whispers series, and The Magician of Auschwitz. Many of her books have won awards in Canada, the United States, and Israel. Her books have been sold in over twenty countries around the world.
In addition to writing, Kathy teaches at the University of Toronto (Continuing Studies). She also speaks to children in schools and libraries around the world about the importance of understanding the Holocaust and keeping its memory alive. In addition, she lectures in universities and colleges on the topic of teaching sensitive material to young children.
She is married and has two children, Gabi and Jake. Both children share her family’s love of stories.
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July 30, 2017
We can never be at peace with the pain of the past. However, we must transform suffering into meaning so that we may take these tools and build a better tomorrow. For those whose lives were taken and those whose lives were burdened. For those whose voices were lost and those who are desperate to be heard. For those who came before us and those that are yet to follow, we are the voice that will echo though the halls of history and shape the patterns of reality itself.
As a granddaughter of a Jewish survivor, I knew from the start it would be impossible for me to read this book without crying. Reading about the pain and misery your people went through is something I wish to nobody. Really, I mean it. What happened to my people should never happen again.
This book relates the days Jordana Lebowitz spent in Lüneburg for the trial of Oskar Gröning, a former SS. During this trial, Gröning acknowledges that what happened in Auschwitz was terrible, but declares he had nothing to do with Jewish people being killed. He was just a cog in the machine. But as it is clearly said, “If you think of the ‘death machine’ then all the parts of the machine must work. Otherwise the machine does not work.” and “In other words, Herr Gröning, you facilitated the smooth operation of Auschwitz’s killing machine by your actions.” It is clear that Oskar Gröning thought himself as non-guilty, simply because he didn’t pull the trigger . . . “Though I am not personally responsible for that time, I spend my life making up for it”, but it doesn’t work like that. He volunteered to be part of the Waffen SS, he believed Jews were a cancer that should be eliminated, took all their belongings from there when they arrived at Auschwitz, and yet he declared him ‘non-guilty’ . . . what a joke. You’ll be glad to know he was found guilty and was charged with four miserable years of jail he of course didn’t do because he’s ‘too old.’
“He apologized only for what he saw, not for anything he did. For that, he assumed no responsibility.
With this book, we also get to see how the next generations live with the past of their people. We, the children and grandchildren of Holocaust survivors, grew up with the memories and pain of our parents and grandparents. We grew up with the ghosts of the people who couldn’t be saved, the people who died to soon and suffered too much. We have to live with this pain, like a phantom limb. I’m not sure you can understand what I mean, it’s something very personal. And I was glad to find myself so much in Jordan. Like myself, she has nightmares because of what happened and feel deeply connected to this period.
But what she did know was that she cared so much for every victim of that unimaginable time, and that her compassion and connection came from a place inside that was so deep and haunting she couldn't fully explain it.
But this book also deals with what we see as evil and good. I get it’s something every Jewish person who doesn’t live in Europe can relate to - I’m from France so I personally couldn’t - but Jordana is convinced she’ll find Nazis and swastikas everywhere in Germany. She grew up with the idea that German people are in denial of what happened. But they’re not. It’s something extremely important : the new generation is fighting so history won’t repeat itself. Young Germans are ashamed of what happened, and they feel like they’ll have to make up for what happened all their life. You don’t need to remind them of their history, because yes, it’s also theirs, and they’re aware of it.
“If we don’t learn about it, if we don’t try to understand it, if we don’t talk about it, then it will be buried and forgotten. We can never make up for what happened in the past. But we can act differently going forward.”
4.5
Thank you Netgalley for providing me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
As a granddaughter of a Jewish survivor, I knew from the start it would be impossible for me to read this book without crying. Reading about the pain and misery your people went through is something I wish to nobody. Really, I mean it. What happened to my people should never happen again.
This book relates the days Jordana Lebowitz spent in Lüneburg for the trial of Oskar Gröning, a former SS. During this trial, Gröning acknowledges that what happened in Auschwitz was terrible, but declares he had nothing to do with Jewish people being killed. He was just a cog in the machine. But as it is clearly said, “If you think of the ‘death machine’ then all the parts of the machine must work. Otherwise the machine does not work.” and “In other words, Herr Gröning, you facilitated the smooth operation of Auschwitz’s killing machine by your actions.” It is clear that Oskar Gröning thought himself as non-guilty, simply because he didn’t pull the trigger . . . “Though I am not personally responsible for that time, I spend my life making up for it”, but it doesn’t work like that. He volunteered to be part of the Waffen SS, he believed Jews were a cancer that should be eliminated, took all their belongings from there when they arrived at Auschwitz, and yet he declared him ‘non-guilty’ . . . what a joke. You’ll be glad to know he was found guilty and was charged with four miserable years of jail he of course didn’t do because he’s ‘too old.’
“He apologized only for what he saw, not for anything he did. For that, he assumed no responsibility.
With this book, we also get to see how the next generations live with the past of their people. We, the children and grandchildren of Holocaust survivors, grew up with the memories and pain of our parents and grandparents. We grew up with the ghosts of the people who couldn’t be saved, the people who died to soon and suffered too much. We have to live with this pain, like a phantom limb. I’m not sure you can understand what I mean, it’s something very personal. And I was glad to find myself so much in Jordan. Like myself, she has nightmares because of what happened and feel deeply connected to this period.
But what she did know was that she cared so much for every victim of that unimaginable time, and that her compassion and connection came from a place inside that was so deep and haunting she couldn't fully explain it.
But this book also deals with what we see as evil and good. I get it’s something every Jewish person who doesn’t live in Europe can relate to - I’m from France so I personally couldn’t - but Jordana is convinced she’ll find Nazis and swastikas everywhere in Germany. She grew up with the idea that German people are in denial of what happened. But they’re not. It’s something extremely important : the new generation is fighting so history won’t repeat itself. Young Germans are ashamed of what happened, and they feel like they’ll have to make up for what happened all their life. You don’t need to remind them of their history, because yes, it’s also theirs, and they’re aware of it.
“If we don’t learn about it, if we don’t try to understand it, if we don’t talk about it, then it will be buried and forgotten. We can never make up for what happened in the past. But we can act differently going forward.”
4.5
Thank you Netgalley for providing me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
June 4, 2018
Every year, my local library branch holds a “Top Teen Book” contest with five YA books of various genres and authors. As per tradition, I put holds on all of them and waited for them to arrive. This tradition has been going on for four years, but since this is my last year volunteering, I can say it’s my last time voting as a teen representative. It’s my period that’s making me so emotional, okay?
Anyways, this book read very juvenile, much like Kacer’s “Hiding Edith”. Many of the conversations between the survivors and Jordana seemed scripted. I wanted to feel more emotion, but this was still an important book regarding the war criminal trial of Oskar Groening. It comes to show there are many colours of the spectrum, if you just look a little deeper. I can’t express my emotions in the same way as other books, considering that this is a nonfiction work. But Jordana’s narration wasn’t the best, in my most humble opinion.
Anyways, this book read very juvenile, much like Kacer’s “Hiding Edith”. Many of the conversations between the survivors and Jordana seemed scripted. I wanted to feel more emotion, but this was still an important book regarding the war criminal trial of Oskar Groening. It comes to show there are many colours of the spectrum, if you just look a little deeper. I can’t express my emotions in the same way as other books, considering that this is a nonfiction work. But Jordana’s narration wasn’t the best, in my most humble opinion.
May 13, 2017
**Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary copy of TO LOOK A NAZI IN THE EYE in exchange for my honest review**
3.5 stars
In 2015, nineteen-year-old Jordana travels to Germany to witness the trial of a Nazi war criminal.
TO LOOK A NAZI IN THE EYE is an important story and unfortunately still quite relevant to current events still happening in the world. Jordana, in part, wanted to see the trial as a witness to history, to make sure the Holocaust is not forgotten for her generation and beyond. The shrinking number of survivors and likelihood that few if any guards are still alive makes Jordana's travels even more vital.
Writing is the biggest drawback to the book. Kathy Kacer uses mostly passive verbs. She tells rather than shows. Her sentences are wordy and repetitive. For example, many people ask Jordana why she wanted to attend the trial. Readers didn't need to be told each time with dialogue, because her answer is always similar. Jordana's actual blogs were extremely well written and I wish she had written the book as her own memoir. If she had, TO LOOK A NAZI IN THE EYE would be a great classroom read.
I recommend TO LOOK A NAZI IN THE EYE, for the historical importance, which transcends poor writing.
3.5 stars
In 2015, nineteen-year-old Jordana travels to Germany to witness the trial of a Nazi war criminal.
TO LOOK A NAZI IN THE EYE is an important story and unfortunately still quite relevant to current events still happening in the world. Jordana, in part, wanted to see the trial as a witness to history, to make sure the Holocaust is not forgotten for her generation and beyond. The shrinking number of survivors and likelihood that few if any guards are still alive makes Jordana's travels even more vital.
Writing is the biggest drawback to the book. Kathy Kacer uses mostly passive verbs. She tells rather than shows. Her sentences are wordy and repetitive. For example, many people ask Jordana why she wanted to attend the trial. Readers didn't need to be told each time with dialogue, because her answer is always similar. Jordana's actual blogs were extremely well written and I wish she had written the book as her own memoir. If she had, TO LOOK A NAZI IN THE EYE would be a great classroom read.
I recommend TO LOOK A NAZI IN THE EYE, for the historical importance, which transcends poor writing.
July 5, 2017
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Second Story Press for kindly provide an advanced reader copy of ‘To Look a Nazi in the Eye: A Teen’s Account of a War Criminal Trial’ for an honest review.
It’s probably my least favourite thing in the world to write a negative review…..However, I really struggled with this one. In fact I could only make it to the half way point. When it got to the point where Jordana just gets up and walks over to Groening (who is on trial for war crimes) I’d had it with her to be honest.
Jordana is quite possibly the most self-centred and decidedly unlikeable protagonist I’ve encountered in quite some time. I tried and tried, and wanted, to like her as I believe this book has something so important to say.
Principally that we should never forget. That humanity is capable of great and wondrous things but also unimaginable and inconceivable hatred, ignorance and cruelty. We need to learn from the past.
I believe Kacer and Lebowitz to have had all of these intentions at heart when writing this novel. Sadly it’s lost in the poor dialogue (both between characters and Jordana’s internal voice) and the woeful over simplification of complex moral and emotional issues.
I can see that Jordana is meant to be a brave, driven, focussed young woman with great respect for history. Sadly this is really not translated in the telling of the story. Over and over again she talks about the need to bear witness. How exciting is to be part of history, she is always putting herself at the centre of everything.
I felt like Max and Hedy et al. could have offered another level to the narration. Unfortunately, they get very little opportunity. Again I felt more focus was placed on Jordana’s incessant need to explain her reasons to be there and dissatisfaction that no one understands. The following sentence is frankly, ridiculous:
“They couldn’t quite comprehend that she had dropped everything in her life with only a few weeks’ notice just to be here.”
Why is it ALWAYS about Jordana? This only got worse until I couldn’t read anymore.
I was further irritated by her over inflated self-importance when they enter the court. All she cares about is that her camera and notebook are removed. I’d have thought she could’ve spared about to think how the others must feel arriving in Germany to have all their belongings removed and impersonally searched by German officers given why they were there?!
Her audacious approach to Groening is also unfathomable. I’ve never been to international war crimes trial but I wouldn’t have thought just anyone could walk up and do so. I had believed the title to be more metaphorical.
As I mentioned I believe this book has something important to say and I hope that it will at least encourage young people to think about what happened and explore the issues. I hope it opens and encourages debate and further study.
It’s probably my least favourite thing in the world to write a negative review…..However, I really struggled with this one. In fact I could only make it to the half way point. When it got to the point where Jordana just gets up and walks over to Groening (who is on trial for war crimes) I’d had it with her to be honest.
Jordana is quite possibly the most self-centred and decidedly unlikeable protagonist I’ve encountered in quite some time. I tried and tried, and wanted, to like her as I believe this book has something so important to say.
Principally that we should never forget. That humanity is capable of great and wondrous things but also unimaginable and inconceivable hatred, ignorance and cruelty. We need to learn from the past.
I believe Kacer and Lebowitz to have had all of these intentions at heart when writing this novel. Sadly it’s lost in the poor dialogue (both between characters and Jordana’s internal voice) and the woeful over simplification of complex moral and emotional issues.
I can see that Jordana is meant to be a brave, driven, focussed young woman with great respect for history. Sadly this is really not translated in the telling of the story. Over and over again she talks about the need to bear witness. How exciting is to be part of history, she is always putting herself at the centre of everything.
I felt like Max and Hedy et al. could have offered another level to the narration. Unfortunately, they get very little opportunity. Again I felt more focus was placed on Jordana’s incessant need to explain her reasons to be there and dissatisfaction that no one understands. The following sentence is frankly, ridiculous:
“They couldn’t quite comprehend that she had dropped everything in her life with only a few weeks’ notice just to be here.”
Why is it ALWAYS about Jordana? This only got worse until I couldn’t read anymore.
I was further irritated by her over inflated self-importance when they enter the court. All she cares about is that her camera and notebook are removed. I’d have thought she could’ve spared about to think how the others must feel arriving in Germany to have all their belongings removed and impersonally searched by German officers given why they were there?!
Her audacious approach to Groening is also unfathomable. I’ve never been to international war crimes trial but I wouldn’t have thought just anyone could walk up and do so. I had believed the title to be more metaphorical.
As I mentioned I believe this book has something important to say and I hope that it will at least encourage young people to think about what happened and explore the issues. I hope it opens and encourages debate and further study.
June 4, 2017
The survivors of the Holocaust, and the nazi's who perpetrated it are both dying of old age. This is the last generation that will hear the stories from living people. Jordana is only a teenager, but because she has heard stories of her grandmother, as well as visiting Auschwitz, she feels that this might be the only time she can attend such a trail, and hear from the SS Officers own lips what happened, and why he did what he did.
This book is important. The experience of Jordan's Leibovitz, and the effect it had on her are quite important. The words of the survivors, the testimony of the Nazi, all of these are important, and every one should read this book, for that alone.
The problem is, the book though tear jerking at times feels as though we are a bit too far removed. As anotehr reviewer said, perhaps Jordon herself should have written the book, have the book in her words, instead of relying on her blog entries, and interviews with the survivors who testified.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
This book is important. The experience of Jordan's Leibovitz, and the effect it had on her are quite important. The words of the survivors, the testimony of the Nazi, all of these are important, and every one should read this book, for that alone.
The problem is, the book though tear jerking at times feels as though we are a bit too far removed. As anotehr reviewer said, perhaps Jordon herself should have written the book, have the book in her words, instead of relying on her blog entries, and interviews with the survivors who testified.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
September 4, 2017
I have a lot of emotions. Anger, sadness, sympathy, love, pride , embarrassment.
This book is so incredibly important, demonstrating justice for millions of lives lost, families torn.
It's important we understand and pass on the history that has impacted so many
5 ⭐️ Published 12th September, 2017
ARC received with #Netgalley
This book is so incredibly important, demonstrating justice for millions of lives lost, families torn.
It's important we understand and pass on the history that has impacted so many
5 ⭐️ Published 12th September, 2017
ARC received with #Netgalley
June 13, 2017
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
To Look a Nazi in the Eye is a Canadian university student's eyewitness account of the trial of Oskar Groening, charged with complicity in the deaths of over 300,000 Jews in Auschwitz. The granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, Jordana Lebowitz feels compelled to travel to Germany and experience firsthand the prosecution of a war criminal, spending a week immersed in emotional courtroom proceedings and listening to devastating accounts of survivors.
This is a quick read, and an important one, for the historical context and its representation of a new generation of involvement in Holocaust-related accountability. However, the stilted writing style and unnatural choice of framing this in a third-person narrative detracted from such an influential story. The brief snippets of Jordana's blog posts that she penned while attending the trial have a stronger pull than the disconnected writing of the book and I think a heavier reliance on her original voice would have offered a more compelling, and less detached, narrative. Jordana's experience is unique and powerful, but unfortunately this account does not do her, nor her story, justice.
To Look a Nazi in the Eye is a Canadian university student's eyewitness account of the trial of Oskar Groening, charged with complicity in the deaths of over 300,000 Jews in Auschwitz. The granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, Jordana Lebowitz feels compelled to travel to Germany and experience firsthand the prosecution of a war criminal, spending a week immersed in emotional courtroom proceedings and listening to devastating accounts of survivors.
This is a quick read, and an important one, for the historical context and its representation of a new generation of involvement in Holocaust-related accountability. However, the stilted writing style and unnatural choice of framing this in a third-person narrative detracted from such an influential story. The brief snippets of Jordana's blog posts that she penned while attending the trial have a stronger pull than the disconnected writing of the book and I think a heavier reliance on her original voice would have offered a more compelling, and less detached, narrative. Jordana's experience is unique and powerful, but unfortunately this account does not do her, nor her story, justice.
January 21, 2021
Плоска, скучна, безумна книга, антипатична главна героиня, която заминава по-скоро на екскурзия или круиз сякаш, а не да отразява съдебно производство. Всичко се върти около слабоумните заключения и "проблясъци" на девойката (пример: в един момент я осенява, че всъщност трябва всички да са благодарни на охраната в съда, защото "те всички ни пазят"), много малко реални истории на преживелите лагера на смъртта (схематично с 2 изречения участват), абсолютно няма с какво да се свържеш като читател - нито с главната празноглавка, нито с някой от оцелелите. Много слаб, повърхностен роман, скъса ми нервите, докато го завърша. "Приспивна песен в Аушвиц" си има достоен наследник, че даже и бива надскочена... Антирекорд за новата година. Добре започваме :)
December 25, 2020
Thanks to the publisher for providing a digital review copy of To Look a Nazi in the Eye in exchange for an honest review.
To Look a Nazi in the Eye follows 19 year old Jordana Lebowitz as she travels to Germany to witness the trial of Oscar Groening to try and become more informed on the tragedy that her grandparents and other holocaust survivors lived through.
In my opinion, the books biggest strength is also its biggest weakness. Jordana's story is framed as an example of the importance of young people to observe and remember the atrocities of WWII so it makes sense that the narration is blunt and simplistic to make it more widely accessible to readers of all ages and capabilities, but it also causes Jordana herself to be portrayed in a very simplistic, self-absorbed life. I'm sure this was not the intention of author Kathy Kacer who clearly has a lot of respect for the real world Jordana, but it does hurt this from a narrative perspective so if you're looking for a compelling narrative to learn about WWII and Groening's trial through, you might be let down. If you're looking to learn about WWII and Groening's trial in an easy to comprehend format though, this book serves its purpose perfectly.
To Look a Nazi in the Eye follows 19 year old Jordana Lebowitz as she travels to Germany to witness the trial of Oscar Groening to try and become more informed on the tragedy that her grandparents and other holocaust survivors lived through.
In my opinion, the books biggest strength is also its biggest weakness. Jordana's story is framed as an example of the importance of young people to observe and remember the atrocities of WWII so it makes sense that the narration is blunt and simplistic to make it more widely accessible to readers of all ages and capabilities, but it also causes Jordana herself to be portrayed in a very simplistic, self-absorbed life. I'm sure this was not the intention of author Kathy Kacer who clearly has a lot of respect for the real world Jordana, but it does hurt this from a narrative perspective so if you're looking for a compelling narrative to learn about WWII and Groening's trial through, you might be let down. If you're looking to learn about WWII and Groening's trial in an easy to comprehend format though, this book serves its purpose perfectly.
May 31, 2023
dnf at 54 pages.
so, usually when i dnf a book, especially this early on, i completely remove any traces of it from my shelves and move on to the next one. but this one uniquely struck a chord.
this book is meant to be a biographical account of jordana lebowitz's attendance at the trial of the nazi oskar groening. my biggest gripe had to do with the way in which this book was written and how jordana was characterized; she seems more akin to a fictional main character than a real girl. jordana is portrayed as incredibly self-righteous, and is characterized more like the edgy main character of a YA romance novel than a young woman experiencing complex thoughts and emotions as she comes face to face with horrors of a past that affected millions of people, her family included. the dialogue seems especially phoney. for example, everything about the argument that ensues during jordana's family passover dinner over jordana's choice to go to germany seems more like dialogue from a wattpad novel than any real life family's argument- "...all you ever want to do is stop me from following my dreams!" i'm sorry, i didn't know inviting yourself to travel to germany to attend a war criminal's trial was a DREAM of yours, jordana.
maybe the book gets better as it goes on, and maybe my judgements are only being made based on the exposition of this story; but for me, it was too insufferable to continue. the part of the premise that genuinely interested me- oskar groening's trial- was hardly the actual focus in the 54 pages that i did read. rather, fragments of his testimony are arbitrarily peppered in between chapters of jordana's antics.
so, usually when i dnf a book, especially this early on, i completely remove any traces of it from my shelves and move on to the next one. but this one uniquely struck a chord.
this book is meant to be a biographical account of jordana lebowitz's attendance at the trial of the nazi oskar groening. my biggest gripe had to do with the way in which this book was written and how jordana was characterized; she seems more akin to a fictional main character than a real girl. jordana is portrayed as incredibly self-righteous, and is characterized more like the edgy main character of a YA romance novel than a young woman experiencing complex thoughts and emotions as she comes face to face with horrors of a past that affected millions of people, her family included. the dialogue seems especially phoney. for example, everything about the argument that ensues during jordana's family passover dinner over jordana's choice to go to germany seems more like dialogue from a wattpad novel than any real life family's argument- "...all you ever want to do is stop me from following my dreams!" i'm sorry, i didn't know inviting yourself to travel to germany to attend a war criminal's trial was a DREAM of yours, jordana.
maybe the book gets better as it goes on, and maybe my judgements are only being made based on the exposition of this story; but for me, it was too insufferable to continue. the part of the premise that genuinely interested me- oskar groening's trial- was hardly the actual focus in the 54 pages that i did read. rather, fragments of his testimony are arbitrarily peppered in between chapters of jordana's antics.
September 17, 2017
This was utterly fascinating! A true account of one girl's attendance at the trial of a 94-year-old former Nazi... and of course like her you go in believing he is pure evil but then as the testimonies all start spilling out it becomes so much less black and white... because we were not alive in those times and can not imagine how difficult it would have been to not just go with the tide of safety that he went with... and he knows that it was all wrong, and he was not happy with everything back then, but it was his job and he had to just shut up and get to work, and also half of it he had been brainwashed into believing was the right thing to do... furthermore he wasn't one of the big wigs, but just a tiny cog in the machine who didn't do anything directly that resulted in death, but he was just part of it all, on the wrong side, which at the time seemed to be the right side, or the ONLY side... omg.
A brilliant read.
A brilliant read.
December 19, 2023
Books like this are hard to review due to their nature & the fact that they are true stories, so even my blog review will be short. For now I want to say that To Look A Nazi in the Eye is a wonderfully written book that eloquently tells Jordana's incredible story. This book is an education & is something that should be available in all school libraries. This book made me cry a lot but I am very glad I read it - this is a book that I will recommend to everyone; I am honoured that I have been allowed to read it before it's release.
Disclaimer: I was sent an eARC in return for an honest review.
Extended Review: https://writingwolves.wordpress.com/2...
Disclaimer: I was sent an eARC in return for an honest review.
Extended Review: https://writingwolves.wordpress.com/2...
September 2, 2017
*I received a copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*
3.5 stars
This book tells the real story of Jordana Lebowitz traveling to Germany to witness the trial of Oskar Groening that took place in 2015. The ninety-two year old Groening was on trial for crimes committed while he was part of the Nazi war machine in Auschwitz during the second World War. While Groening never personally killed anyone, he was complicit in the murder of roughly 300,000 Jewish people.
The book reads more like a story than an account of a trial, which I think will make it more relatable to many readers. It tells of Jordana's struggles to get to Germany for a trial that she felt passionately about. It outlines her relationships with the survivors that she bonds with while she's there, her mixed emotions about Groening, her expanding views of Germany and its people. And while it obviously touches on very dark subject matter, it never gets too dark. It would be suitable for many middle-grade readers and could be a good introduction to the history of the Holocaust.
Groening's testimony was inserted between various pieces of Jordana's story, which worked really well. It was easy to see his viewpoint on many things, though it was hard to see where he was coming from on others. I can understand that many were indoctrinated with hateful beliefs, but how could you ever view the destruction of a group of people as right? If you were there, witnessing what was being done to men, women, children, no matter your personal role, how could you live with yourself?
One thing that I cannot understand is how anyone can deny the Holocaust and what happened. This isn't something that happened hundreds of years ago and records have been lost. It was less than one hundred years ago. There are survivors today, telling their stories. And these are people on both sides of the situation. Groening speaks against Holocaust deniers, telling them that he was there, he saw what happened. And there are those who were inside, being tortured for experimentation or forced into hard labor, with the tattoos still marking their skin, the memories still haunting them. How can you deny the reality of what happened when there is so much evidence that supports it? It is something I will never understand.
This is not complex or deep overview of what happened during the Holocaust or of the events of this trial, but it is the honest view of a teen's experience of this historic event. History is important, no matter how ugly it may be. It needs to be taught and learned from. If we don't make a conscious effort to prevent history repeating itself, then it will.
I definitely recommend this to those interested in the history of this dark period in history. Jordana is a modern girl trying to spread awareness and spread goodness. You can see some of her own opinions changing within the story as she grows. Her own opinions and beliefs were skewed by what her parents and grandparents taught her, but she began to see that not everything could be so easily categorized. Nothing is simple.
3.5 stars
"He didn't look evil. He didn't look like the murdering Nazi that he was accused of being. With a complete exhale of breath, Jordana thought, he looks like my grandfather."
This book tells the real story of Jordana Lebowitz traveling to Germany to witness the trial of Oskar Groening that took place in 2015. The ninety-two year old Groening was on trial for crimes committed while he was part of the Nazi war machine in Auschwitz during the second World War. While Groening never personally killed anyone, he was complicit in the murder of roughly 300,000 Jewish people.
The book reads more like a story than an account of a trial, which I think will make it more relatable to many readers. It tells of Jordana's struggles to get to Germany for a trial that she felt passionately about. It outlines her relationships with the survivors that she bonds with while she's there, her mixed emotions about Groening, her expanding views of Germany and its people. And while it obviously touches on very dark subject matter, it never gets too dark. It would be suitable for many middle-grade readers and could be a good introduction to the history of the Holocaust.
"I was on the ramp when the selections took place...I was there."
Groening's testimony was inserted between various pieces of Jordana's story, which worked really well. It was easy to see his viewpoint on many things, though it was hard to see where he was coming from on others. I can understand that many were indoctrinated with hateful beliefs, but how could you ever view the destruction of a group of people as right? If you were there, witnessing what was being done to men, women, children, no matter your personal role, how could you live with yourself?
One thing that I cannot understand is how anyone can deny the Holocaust and what happened. This isn't something that happened hundreds of years ago and records have been lost. It was less than one hundred years ago. There are survivors today, telling their stories. And these are people on both sides of the situation. Groening speaks against Holocaust deniers, telling them that he was there, he saw what happened. And there are those who were inside, being tortured for experimentation or forced into hard labor, with the tattoos still marking their skin, the memories still haunting them. How can you deny the reality of what happened when there is so much evidence that supports it? It is something I will never understand.
This is not complex or deep overview of what happened during the Holocaust or of the events of this trial, but it is the honest view of a teen's experience of this historic event. History is important, no matter how ugly it may be. It needs to be taught and learned from. If we don't make a conscious effort to prevent history repeating itself, then it will.
I definitely recommend this to those interested in the history of this dark period in history. Jordana is a modern girl trying to spread awareness and spread goodness. You can see some of her own opinions changing within the story as she grows. Her own opinions and beliefs were skewed by what her parents and grandparents taught her, but she began to see that not everything could be so easily categorized. Nothing is simple.
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July 8, 2017To Look a Nazi in the Eye: A Teen’s Account of a War Criminal Trial (A NetGalley Review)
4.5/5
Would recommend: YES!
Synopsis:
The true story of nineteen-year-old Jordana Lebowitz's time at the trial of Oskar Groening, known as the bookkeeper of Auschwitz, a man charged with being complicit in the death of more than 300,000 Jews. A granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, Jordana attended the trial. She realized that by witnessing history she gained the knowledge and legitimacy to be able to stand in the footsteps of the survivors
My thoughts:
While the trial of Oskar Groening is about the Holocaust, the lessons taught in this book are timeless. The survivor’s stories are enough to persuade anyone to never repeat the past. Jordana, as an ambitious young woman, made it her life to spread the lessons of this trial alone. Not knowing a lot about the trials of Nazis in the past, I didn’t know what I was getting myself into. This book is beyond important and the stories that Jordana was able to retell are stories that will stay with any true reader.
“If you’re not moved by this experience, you won’t be influenced by it.”
And trust me, this book will move you. I felt Hady’s strength through the pages. I felt Bill’s pain. But I could’ve connected more to the characters if Jordana had written the words herself. I feel like she could’ve really brought the trials and the survivors to life. Her blog posts throughout the book gave a good insight into Johana’s writing, but her actual writing would’ve been much better in the long run.
4.5/5
Would recommend: YES!
Synopsis:
The true story of nineteen-year-old Jordana Lebowitz's time at the trial of Oskar Groening, known as the bookkeeper of Auschwitz, a man charged with being complicit in the death of more than 300,000 Jews. A granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, Jordana attended the trial. She realized that by witnessing history she gained the knowledge and legitimacy to be able to stand in the footsteps of the survivors
My thoughts:
While the trial of Oskar Groening is about the Holocaust, the lessons taught in this book are timeless. The survivor’s stories are enough to persuade anyone to never repeat the past. Jordana, as an ambitious young woman, made it her life to spread the lessons of this trial alone. Not knowing a lot about the trials of Nazis in the past, I didn’t know what I was getting myself into. This book is beyond important and the stories that Jordana was able to retell are stories that will stay with any true reader.
“If you’re not moved by this experience, you won’t be influenced by it.”
And trust me, this book will move you. I felt Hady’s strength through the pages. I felt Bill’s pain. But I could’ve connected more to the characters if Jordana had written the words herself. I feel like she could’ve really brought the trials and the survivors to life. Her blog posts throughout the book gave a good insight into Johana’s writing, but her actual writing would’ve been much better in the long run.
August 26, 2017
I enjoyed this book! I loved how it switched from Jordyn's (who is an absolute inspiration, by the way!) POV both before & during the trial to Groening's. It was hard to remember that this wasn't fiction sometimes - I got so attatched to the characters, mostly the survivors, and had to remind myself that they are real people, really out there using their horrific experiences to educate & serve justice. I'm so so glad that Jordyn chose to be really poignant in this book and described all of her feelings, the rage towards the holocaust, the nazis (and therefore Groening) and the deniers, and the guilty pity she felt towards 95 year old Groening who "reminded her of her grandfather." Somehow this book managed to stay quite un-biased, combining Groening's testimony with the life stories of holocaust survivors and their children and grandchildren, fighting for their legacy so that their suffering won't be in vain, with important political and ideological discussions i.e. the ethical discussion of sending Groening to jail in his own age, the emergence & the sustained arguments of the deniers (and how we can combat that) and it's all a true story!
Note: I didn't realise until I started this book that I actually knew who Oskar Groening (and another character - Eva Korr) was. I'd "met" them both on a BBC documentary called Auschwitz: The Nazis and the "Final Solution" which is currently on Netflix, and then again, on another documentary solely about Eva forgiving Groening at the trial called "The Girl Who Forgave the Nazis," which I watched on All4 but I'm sure you can find on YouTube. If you read this (rather lighthearted) book and want to know more of the history about the tragedy itself, I really recommend the BBC documentary, and if you'd like to watch the trial that this book is about, then you can watch the other documentary.
// Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this review in exchange for an honest review //
Note: I didn't realise until I started this book that I actually knew who Oskar Groening (and another character - Eva Korr) was. I'd "met" them both on a BBC documentary called Auschwitz: The Nazis and the "Final Solution" which is currently on Netflix, and then again, on another documentary solely about Eva forgiving Groening at the trial called "The Girl Who Forgave the Nazis," which I watched on All4 but I'm sure you can find on YouTube. If you read this (rather lighthearted) book and want to know more of the history about the tragedy itself, I really recommend the BBC documentary, and if you'd like to watch the trial that this book is about, then you can watch the other documentary.
// Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this review in exchange for an honest review //
September 14, 2017
Thanks to NetGalley and Second Story Press for the opportunity to read and review To Look a Nazi in the Eye by Kathy Kacer with Jordana Lebowitz. The prologue tells of the Nazi soldier, Oskar Groening, being guilty of persecution by aiding and abetting at Auschwitz during the Holocaust. The now ninety-four year old soldier has been brought to court for justice to be served. Before the prologue, a brief description of statistics states the small number of Auschwitz guards that actually faced justice, it's astoundingly appalling. Jordana attends a Jewish Day school and she travels with schoolmates to tour concentration camps. Jordana's impressive efforts created a temporary Holocaust exhibit showing other genocides around the world and comparing them to what took place during the Holocaust. I appreciate her idea of bringing to light other genocides as well, to teach and hopefully prevent more atrocities. Jordana continues to spread the knowledge of the Holocaust and advocates for human rights. The author, Kathy Kacer, learned about the Holocaust from her parents who were both survivors of the persecution. 5 stars for this example of strength and perseverance in the midst of awfulness.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for voluntary consideration.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for voluntary consideration.
October 28, 2024
Today the book I’m reading is called “To Look a Nazi in the Eye” by Kathy Kacer with Jordana Lebowitz. Kacer and Lebowitz are both children of Holocaust survivors. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Kacer has been following Oskar Groening, his story for sometime in 2005, he was known as the “Bookkeeper of Auschwitz” which is based on a true story that he was charged with being complicit in the killing of more than 300,000 Jews, during 1944 to 1945 at the time then put him on the trial for war crimes in 2005. She doesn’t know how to put the pieces together that was until a 19 year old Jordana Lebowitz, she went to Lublin, Germany to observe to witness at the trial. Kacer knew that Jordana would able to provide this perfect framework which they are able to write this book together. Kacer and Jordana were both focused on the narrative of the real stories and feelings of human beings who lived through the worst horrors in history. This book brings us an important insight of his version, his actions and decisions were distributing. To able and listening to the testimonies of three survivors who provided hope and insight into healing from the trauma of what took place during the Holocaust.
March 5, 2021
Trigger warnings: talks about the events that took place during the death/concentration camps during WW II.
This book was written from the perspective of Jordana Lebowitz, a granddaughter of a Holocaust survivor. The events that were captured were very hard to listen to. Even after 70 plus years after the horrific events that took place during WWII, these events are still fresh in the minds of those who survived such a time. This book reminds me that the survivors are not the only victims, but also the children and grandchildren of those survivors also share in the memories of their parents. This book was well narrated! Overall, these books need to written and read in order be kept in the memories of each generation so humanity will not repeat such actions in the future.
This book was written from the perspective of Jordana Lebowitz, a granddaughter of a Holocaust survivor. The events that were captured were very hard to listen to. Even after 70 plus years after the horrific events that took place during WWII, these events are still fresh in the minds of those who survived such a time. This book reminds me that the survivors are not the only victims, but also the children and grandchildren of those survivors also share in the memories of their parents. This book was well narrated! Overall, these books need to written and read in order be kept in the memories of each generation so humanity will not repeat such actions in the future.
August 26, 2017
As a women obsessed with the events that occured during WWII, I was very excited when I was given access to an advance copy of this book and I couldn't wait to read it.
Jordana is a young student who's grandparents are survivors of the Holocaust. She is reallly inspired by these events, going to Auschwitz on a school trip and participating in a March to remember the ones who didn't survive those terrible events. When she learn that a guard from the Auschwits camp is being trialed in Germany, she takes every needs possible to attend that trial with the survivors.
One thing that is really interesting about this book is that it is actually based on real events. Throughout the book, you have excepts from Jordana's blog on the trial as well as reconstruction from Groening's testimony and the survivors' ones. I think that really help the reader realize what it ment to be a Jew during these years.
The book also brings up the question of heritage, not only from Jordana's point of view but also from the German people. It is a recurring theme through the book, that as much as the German would like to forget thiis part of their history, they feel as if they have to make sure that those events are remembered and tend to try to do good towards to remaining Jews. I think it's a point that has to be emphasized that, contrary to popular believes, Germany as ashamed that it is from those events, is trying to do good in order to make sure it doesn't happen again.
It also brings up the question of remembrance. WWII has shown the wrost in humanity, and I believe it is our duty, as a natiopn worlwide, to make sure that those events are never forgotten and that they are never perpreted again. In those trying times where many countries want to close their frontier and build walls against their neighbours, I believe we have to remember what happpened the last time we closed our eyes to others' suffering, and make sure it doesn't happen once more.
Jordana is a young student who's grandparents are survivors of the Holocaust. She is reallly inspired by these events, going to Auschwitz on a school trip and participating in a March to remember the ones who didn't survive those terrible events. When she learn that a guard from the Auschwits camp is being trialed in Germany, she takes every needs possible to attend that trial with the survivors.
One thing that is really interesting about this book is that it is actually based on real events. Throughout the book, you have excepts from Jordana's blog on the trial as well as reconstruction from Groening's testimony and the survivors' ones. I think that really help the reader realize what it ment to be a Jew during these years.
The book also brings up the question of heritage, not only from Jordana's point of view but also from the German people. It is a recurring theme through the book, that as much as the German would like to forget thiis part of their history, they feel as if they have to make sure that those events are remembered and tend to try to do good towards to remaining Jews. I think it's a point that has to be emphasized that, contrary to popular believes, Germany as ashamed that it is from those events, is trying to do good in order to make sure it doesn't happen again.
It also brings up the question of remembrance. WWII has shown the wrost in humanity, and I believe it is our duty, as a natiopn worlwide, to make sure that those events are never forgotten and that they are never perpreted again. In those trying times where many countries want to close their frontier and build walls against their neighbours, I believe we have to remember what happpened the last time we closed our eyes to others' suffering, and make sure it doesn't happen once more.
June 4, 2019
I am suffering from 3 staritis. So far books that I have chosen to read this year have that 'just ok' status. I would up this one though to 3.5 stars. Some commented that it was poorly written. The writing was certainly not spectacular but while reading I heard the voice of a young university student.
I did like this book and of course what the survivors went through was horrific.
Jordana reminded me of myself when I was her age. I was so interested in Greek migration to Canada, and when I wanted to write an essay on that topic my professor said ' it's been done before.' I admire her determination to be there and experience this trial. I wrote that essay anyway, and despite discouragement from many around her she found a way to be there. Good for her.
Now if only we can find a way to stop the genocides that are still going on, and the newly updated, mass shootings.
I did like this book and of course what the survivors went through was horrific.
Jordana reminded me of myself when I was her age. I was so interested in Greek migration to Canada, and when I wanted to write an essay on that topic my professor said ' it's been done before.' I admire her determination to be there and experience this trial. I wrote that essay anyway, and despite discouragement from many around her she found a way to be there. Good for her.
Now if only we can find a way to stop the genocides that are still going on, and the newly updated, mass shootings.
May 14, 2017
Disclaimer: ARC via Netgalley
When the trial of Oskar Groening of aiding and abetting the killing of Jews in Auschwitz. started, I actually discussed it with a student. We had both seen the series on Auschwitz done by BBC and Lawrence Rees. In it, Groening is interviewed. My student wonder two things – why it took so long for Groening to be arrested, especially after the interview and whether her interest in the Holocaust was wrong.
She would like this book.
In many ways, Jordana Lebowitz reminds me of that student with an interest in something that happened long before her birth. True, Lebowitz is Jewish and my student was not. But the burning need to know is something that they have in common. Though guts and determination, Lebowitz is able to make it to the trial and witness it. This book is the story of that determination and the trial itself.
Sadly, the book is far from perfect.
Now, don’t get me wrong. There is much that is good in this book. In many ways, this is a book that most teens and young adults should read because it makes connections between then and now. Lebowitz’s story not only shows the importance of history and remembrance, but how the younger generation can get involved.
Yet, there is also a sense of wanting something more from the book. In part, this is due to the chosen style. Referring to Lebowitz in third person, doesn’t work. It actually distances the reader in a way that is a bit disconcerting, and the use of passive voice doesn’t help in terms of this. There are also some weird juxtapositions – like the overlooking of Lebowitz’s grandmother’s reaction to her granddaughter’s proposed trip. Perhaps this reaction does have something to do with the Holocaust as well? The inclusion of Groening’s testimony , while understandable, is also somewhat strange as it is taken from sources, something that is only made clear at the end of each entry.
The thing is Lebowitz’s blog on trial, done for the Simon Wiesenthal center, doesn’t suffer from this. Undoubtedly, there are copyright resections and such, but if Lebowitz had had more of a voice, I wonder if this book would have been a smoother read.
That said, it isn’t a bad read. It is one worth reading, especially for teens and young adults.
When the trial of Oskar Groening of aiding and abetting the killing of Jews in Auschwitz. started, I actually discussed it with a student. We had both seen the series on Auschwitz done by BBC and Lawrence Rees. In it, Groening is interviewed. My student wonder two things – why it took so long for Groening to be arrested, especially after the interview and whether her interest in the Holocaust was wrong.
She would like this book.
In many ways, Jordana Lebowitz reminds me of that student with an interest in something that happened long before her birth. True, Lebowitz is Jewish and my student was not. But the burning need to know is something that they have in common. Though guts and determination, Lebowitz is able to make it to the trial and witness it. This book is the story of that determination and the trial itself.
Sadly, the book is far from perfect.
Now, don’t get me wrong. There is much that is good in this book. In many ways, this is a book that most teens and young adults should read because it makes connections between then and now. Lebowitz’s story not only shows the importance of history and remembrance, but how the younger generation can get involved.
Yet, there is also a sense of wanting something more from the book. In part, this is due to the chosen style. Referring to Lebowitz in third person, doesn’t work. It actually distances the reader in a way that is a bit disconcerting, and the use of passive voice doesn’t help in terms of this. There are also some weird juxtapositions – like the overlooking of Lebowitz’s grandmother’s reaction to her granddaughter’s proposed trip. Perhaps this reaction does have something to do with the Holocaust as well? The inclusion of Groening’s testimony , while understandable, is also somewhat strange as it is taken from sources, something that is only made clear at the end of each entry.
The thing is Lebowitz’s blog on trial, done for the Simon Wiesenthal center, doesn’t suffer from this. Undoubtedly, there are copyright resections and such, but if Lebowitz had had more of a voice, I wonder if this book would have been a smoother read.
That said, it isn’t a bad read. It is one worth reading, especially for teens and young adults.
August 24, 2017
I cannot imagine anyone reading this important book and not being touched deeply as well as perhaps being inspired to take action. The story revolves around the journey to Germany taken by a nineteen-year-old college student. But Jordana Lebowitz's journey is not just one of many miles from her Canadian home to the town of Luneburg for the trial of a man accused of war crimes during the Holocaust. Instead, it is also an emotional journey of the heart and soul as Jordana listens to testimony from the accused, Oskar Groening, a Nazi who was accused of being complicit in the deaths of more than 300,000 Jews in Auschwitz. Sometimes she is confused by what he says, and sometimes she feels sympathy for him, even while weighing his words for sincerity and regret and recognizing just how like so many others he seems to be. In fact, at one point, she even finds that he reminds her of her own grandfather. Jordana also has the chance to listen to the testimony of Holocaust survivors or the relatives of those who died in the camps, and spend time with them in between the days at the trial. Even while the Holocaust may have receded in the memory of many as history grows more preoccupied with more recent events, Jordana is convinced that it is important for her to bear witness to the trial and hold those responsible for all those deaths accountable and she blogs about what she is noticing and feeling, ultimately determined that she and the rest of her generation must be lights for the future and ask themselves what they will do to leave the world a better place. The author has nimbly threaded Jordana's blog entries, a BBC interview, and other media accounts of the trial. By the time readers reach the end of the book, they will realize as Jordana does that evil does not always wear the face we might expect and that not all citizens of a particular country are necessarily evil. Perhaps in the end, simply standing by and doing nothing is the worst crime of all, something young readers today will surely take to heart.
October 3, 2025
The book “To look a nazi in the eyes”, which is written by Kathy Kacer and Jordana Lebowitz, this incredible story is about a girl, a autobiography of Jordana story, he live in Canada, with her family; She want to everyone knows about the cruelty of the holocaust, so, for that work, she will contact everyone that will be in the judgement of Oskar Groening, starting from Hedy Bohm, a survival from the holocaust and admired by Jordana, due to her courage and determination to spread awareness about the tragedies that happened during nazism, this is what sparked the desire in Jordana to spread about all the problems that holocaust caused to all jews.
This novel wants to show everyone that the nazism exists and isn’t a plan from the government or anything like that.
CHAPTER: 23 PAGE: 195
This chapter shows us that Jordana thoughts is very very shaken, because of that, she starts slowly changing her mind after encountering this beautiful young man, her preconceptions
begins to change little and slowly, trying to understand more about her thoughts, she spends some time talking to the boy, completely destroying what she thought about Germany. After the conversation, Jordana has multiple reality shocks during her tour, most of them in the judgement of Oskar Groening, showing that Germany isn’t the same after the Nazism, even if there is some responsables for the holocaust and hundreds of deaths.
‘How are they learning about something that they themselves caused?’ you say, it is so that they always remember the consequences of their impure and evil acts, so that they will never forget about the loss of thousands for no reason.This book shows that what we think something is doesn't always mean it will be that way forever, that that harmful thought or action won't change. We must always be open to the changes that time brings about in us. Just as is happening with the Germans, they learned from the consequences of their actions. They are trying to change for the better, even if that doesn't change the way many people think about Germans.
This novel wants to show everyone that the nazism exists and isn’t a plan from the government or anything like that.
CHAPTER: 23 PAGE: 195
This chapter shows us that Jordana thoughts is very very shaken, because of that, she starts slowly changing her mind after encountering this beautiful young man, her preconceptions
begins to change little and slowly, trying to understand more about her thoughts, she spends some time talking to the boy, completely destroying what she thought about Germany. After the conversation, Jordana has multiple reality shocks during her tour, most of them in the judgement of Oskar Groening, showing that Germany isn’t the same after the Nazism, even if there is some responsables for the holocaust and hundreds of deaths.
‘How are they learning about something that they themselves caused?’ you say, it is so that they always remember the consequences of their impure and evil acts, so that they will never forget about the loss of thousands for no reason.This book shows that what we think something is doesn't always mean it will be that way forever, that that harmful thought or action won't change. We must always be open to the changes that time brings about in us. Just as is happening with the Germans, they learned from the consequences of their actions. They are trying to change for the better, even if that doesn't change the way many people think about Germans.
Read
November 23, 2019NOTE: I received an advance reader copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinions or the way I talk about the book.
Content Warnings: Several survivors talk in detail about their time at Auschwitz throughout the book
Imagine hearing about a trial two weeks away taking place on a different continent and saying, "I am going to get in that courtroom one way or another." That is exactly what Jordana Lebowitz did. When she heard about a former Auschwitz worker set to go on trial in Lunenburg, Germany decades after the Holocaust ended, she was immediately ready to drop everything and travel from Toronto to Lunenburg to witness this historical trial.
Going into this book, I had not heard of Oskar Groening or this trial, so it was interesting to learn about it, especially through the eyes of someone my age who is Jewish and therefore affected by the outcome. It's wild to think I was in a German language class while this was happening and yet I was oblivious to it the whole time. Either way, I'm glad I got to hear about the Groening trial and learn about its significance in this book.
As described in the book, people may wonder why German courts decided to bring Groening to the stand some 70 years after his crimes took place. The reasoning for many involved was to prove that it does not matter how much time has passed, you are still accountable for your wrongdoings. Jordana explains this and goes further to point out that this is the justice that the Jewish community deserves to see even though it came later than desired. That message extends past the Holocaust to any type of crime and sets a precedent that this type of discrimination and abusive mistreatment will not be tolerated in future generations. Now knowing about this trial, I am extremely grateful that it happened.
I really admire Jordana's passion and drive to work with people to bring social justice to the world. She has found her cause and continues even today to achieve the many goals she sets for herself, and I think this makes her a great role model for the target audience of this book. Heck, she's even the type of person I aspire to be.
On NetGalley, this book was categorized under Teens & YA, which I agree with because of the themes, but I do believe the audience can even be younger in some cases. The style of writing is simple and to the point, making it easy for middle-grade readers to follow, but some of the content (mainly the personal stories of what happened at Auschwitz) may be a bit strong for that age group depending on the child.
Throughout Jordana's story, she recounts how her prejudices against German culture affected her journey to and attitudes toward the country. On the plane ride there, she met a German man who terrified her at first. Later, however, she made friends with him after learning he was on her side and also realized that the Holocaust was a horrible part of Germany's past that he and his fellow citizens would have to work to correct. Similar encounters happen several times and illustrate an interesting view of prejudices.
Final thought: Overall, I loved the story and the information in this book. I wish this trial had been more widely talked about, but at least I had this account of the trial to learn about it. If you're interested in history even the slightest bit, I would suggest putting this on your TBR list. You won't regret the story, emotion, or message!
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Content Warnings: Several survivors talk in detail about their time at Auschwitz throughout the book
Imagine hearing about a trial two weeks away taking place on a different continent and saying, "I am going to get in that courtroom one way or another." That is exactly what Jordana Lebowitz did. When she heard about a former Auschwitz worker set to go on trial in Lunenburg, Germany decades after the Holocaust ended, she was immediately ready to drop everything and travel from Toronto to Lunenburg to witness this historical trial.
Going into this book, I had not heard of Oskar Groening or this trial, so it was interesting to learn about it, especially through the eyes of someone my age who is Jewish and therefore affected by the outcome. It's wild to think I was in a German language class while this was happening and yet I was oblivious to it the whole time. Either way, I'm glad I got to hear about the Groening trial and learn about its significance in this book.
As described in the book, people may wonder why German courts decided to bring Groening to the stand some 70 years after his crimes took place. The reasoning for many involved was to prove that it does not matter how much time has passed, you are still accountable for your wrongdoings. Jordana explains this and goes further to point out that this is the justice that the Jewish community deserves to see even though it came later than desired. That message extends past the Holocaust to any type of crime and sets a precedent that this type of discrimination and abusive mistreatment will not be tolerated in future generations. Now knowing about this trial, I am extremely grateful that it happened.
I really admire Jordana's passion and drive to work with people to bring social justice to the world. She has found her cause and continues even today to achieve the many goals she sets for herself, and I think this makes her a great role model for the target audience of this book. Heck, she's even the type of person I aspire to be.
On NetGalley, this book was categorized under Teens & YA, which I agree with because of the themes, but I do believe the audience can even be younger in some cases. The style of writing is simple and to the point, making it easy for middle-grade readers to follow, but some of the content (mainly the personal stories of what happened at Auschwitz) may be a bit strong for that age group depending on the child.
Throughout Jordana's story, she recounts how her prejudices against German culture affected her journey to and attitudes toward the country. On the plane ride there, she met a German man who terrified her at first. Later, however, she made friends with him after learning he was on her side and also realized that the Holocaust was a horrible part of Germany's past that he and his fellow citizens would have to work to correct. Similar encounters happen several times and illustrate an interesting view of prejudices.
Final thought: Overall, I loved the story and the information in this book. I wish this trial had been more widely talked about, but at least I had this account of the trial to learn about it. If you're interested in history even the slightest bit, I would suggest putting this on your TBR list. You won't regret the story, emotion, or message!
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April 5, 2019
This was a very touching book to read. I felt like I could live through her experiences. -- A.C.
June 28, 2019
The point of view was amazing. I loved that there was never a dull moment and I attribute that to the author! Such a great read on a topic that is so hard to think about as a decent human being.
July 21, 2017
To me, this book is divided into two parts: the good and the bad, so I will divide my review into two parts.
The Good…
To Look a Nazi in the Eye is a very important book for young people to read. The horror of the Holocaust cannot be adequately described in a book review, but it stands as the most atrocious act of genocide in the history of the human race. Our younger generations need to understand the level of cruelty, hate, and inhumanity that fed into the Holocaust. They need to know about the Nazi extermination campaign and the amount of planning that went into trying to wipe out entire populations for not fitting Hitler’s “preferred profile” of an acceptable human being.
The chapters that contain testimony and personal statements from both the perpetrator and the victims of the Holocaust are very important. I found myself examining Oskar Groening’s testimony, dissecting every sentence and trying to find an ounce of remorse or shame. I saw no evidence of either, but readers will have to reach their own conclusions on that just as the survivors who listened made theirs.
Testimonies from the victims are the most important part of the book. It is essential that younger generations understand the brutality and suffering endured by Holocaust survivors. They were beaten, starved, experimented on. Some lost every living relative. The suffering did not end when the war did, and trials such as Groening’s are their only chance for even the tiniest slice of justice. The book could have been much improved with the inclusion of more survivor testimonies and input.
The Bad…
Jordana. Everything having to do with that self-serving narcissist was intolerable.
I found her to be overdramatic, overly emotional, and selfish. Instead of coming off as an intelligent young woman in college, she came across as a bratty teen getting something she didn’t deserve. I see no purpose in her attending the trial. All I could think as I read was that she had taken a seat at the trial that should have gone to someone who had survived a concentration camp or lost a loved one to the Holocaust. Someone who had a true purpose and right to be there.
She was terribly naïve and her reactions to the people around her were childish and ridiculous. She admits to being bored at the trial, as if the entire affair is for her entertainment purposes. With her inflated sense of self-importance, she somehow managed to make the trial all about herself instead of the real focus: a Nazi who helped murder hundreds of thousands of people and the survivors who came in the hope of seeing justice done. Her personality was a distraction to the important court case and overshadowed the bigger message of this book.
So, my advice is read the book for the survivors. Read the book for the trial and its outcome, but skip as much of Jordana as possible.
The Good…
To Look a Nazi in the Eye is a very important book for young people to read. The horror of the Holocaust cannot be adequately described in a book review, but it stands as the most atrocious act of genocide in the history of the human race. Our younger generations need to understand the level of cruelty, hate, and inhumanity that fed into the Holocaust. They need to know about the Nazi extermination campaign and the amount of planning that went into trying to wipe out entire populations for not fitting Hitler’s “preferred profile” of an acceptable human being.
The chapters that contain testimony and personal statements from both the perpetrator and the victims of the Holocaust are very important. I found myself examining Oskar Groening’s testimony, dissecting every sentence and trying to find an ounce of remorse or shame. I saw no evidence of either, but readers will have to reach their own conclusions on that just as the survivors who listened made theirs.
Testimonies from the victims are the most important part of the book. It is essential that younger generations understand the brutality and suffering endured by Holocaust survivors. They were beaten, starved, experimented on. Some lost every living relative. The suffering did not end when the war did, and trials such as Groening’s are their only chance for even the tiniest slice of justice. The book could have been much improved with the inclusion of more survivor testimonies and input.
The Bad…
Jordana. Everything having to do with that self-serving narcissist was intolerable.
I found her to be overdramatic, overly emotional, and selfish. Instead of coming off as an intelligent young woman in college, she came across as a bratty teen getting something she didn’t deserve. I see no purpose in her attending the trial. All I could think as I read was that she had taken a seat at the trial that should have gone to someone who had survived a concentration camp or lost a loved one to the Holocaust. Someone who had a true purpose and right to be there.
She was terribly naïve and her reactions to the people around her were childish and ridiculous. She admits to being bored at the trial, as if the entire affair is for her entertainment purposes. With her inflated sense of self-importance, she somehow managed to make the trial all about herself instead of the real focus: a Nazi who helped murder hundreds of thousands of people and the survivors who came in the hope of seeing justice done. Her personality was a distraction to the important court case and overshadowed the bigger message of this book.
So, my advice is read the book for the survivors. Read the book for the trial and its outcome, but skip as much of Jordana as possible.
January 11, 2024
Book Review
Title: To Look a Nazi in the Eye: A Teen's Account of a War Criminal Trial by Kathy Kacer & Jordana Lebowitz
Genre: Memoir, History, Social Justice
Rating: 4.25 Stars
I requested this from NetGalley a long time ago because I was going through a phase of reading WW2 fiction and non-fiction but never got around to it. After finally reading the synopsis, I cracked it open straight away because it is following the granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, Jordana Lebowitz as she attended the trial of Oskar Groening, the bookkeeper of Auschwitz, in Germany. We do get two timelines as we are following Jordana in 2012, as she heads to Auschwitz with her school and takes part in the March for the Living and it sparks something in her and she ends up becoming friends with a few survivors from the concentration camps and keeps in touch with them after. The second timeline is in 2015 when the trial is taking place.
The first ¼ of the book was being introduced to Jordana, her family and family history. While her grandparents weren’t in concentration camps as they fled to Romania, they still went through some horrific events and it is this personal connection to the war that drives Jordana to learn more. It also brings into play the events that led her to discover the trial was taking place through a survivor named Hedy who is attending as a witness to give testimony. Jordana decides in that moment she wants to attend the trial and begins looking into attending by contacting the lawyer involved for a pass into the courtroom and a translator, she gets a grant for travel in exchange for writing and speaking about the trial and deals with her parents and her own anxieties about the upcoming trip.
Jordana ends up getting to Germany and meeting some more survivors alongside the ones she knows before the first day of the trial begins. This is an historic day for Jordana and she is excited about it despite suffering from jet lag and an early start. While waiting for the first day to begin she meets some interesting people including the grandson of one of the most infamous Nazi, someone like herself witnessing history and a Holocaust denier, which infuriates her so much she sets the grandson on him to talk some sense into him. Jordana is surprised by how many German nationals have come out to show their support for the trial but Jordana is still filled with anxiety about the event she is going to witness. By the time Groening is brought in, Jordana is completely taken back by how he differs from the man she pictured in her head and feels some sympathy for the frail man being brought into the building.
Groening’s appearance is followed by opening statements from both sides which Jordana is eager to take notes on but only the media officials are allowed cameras, pens and paper. These statements are followed by Groening’s testimony which we have been getting in separate chapters. Groening seems to have a mountain of guilt and remorse for his role in the killing of the Jews but he is diminishing his role within the Nazi regime. This obviously brings out conflicting feelings in Jordana since she feels his remorse is genuine but can’t deny how he played a role in the misery and suffering her friends have endured, but she does realise that it isn’t going to be as a black and white as she initially thought. Jordana obviously sympathises with this frail old man but also cares for the survivors and understands their feelings clearly from her own grandparents and their feelings on the country in general.
After the lunch break, Jordana manages to smuggle in some writing supplies allowing her to take some notes to aid in her blog posts later on. This is also when the cross examination begins and Thomas begins to tear holes in Groening’s testimony forcing him to slowly admit the role he played in the deaths of nearly 300,000 Jews. As this is happening we are also witnessing the unfolding of these complex emotions in Jordana and then the witness testimony begins. The first to give evidence is Eva Kor, she and her sister were subject to horrific medical experimentation in the Nazi twin trials and amazingly both sisters managed to survive. At the end of her testimony Eva Kor hugs and kisses Groening claiming she forgives him and she clarifies later that she felt she couldn’t have peace until she let go of the hatred that she was carrying and did so because not because Groening deserved it but because she did. However, the other survivors are angry with her for doing this because they don’t feel the same but Jordana seems to understand where Eva was coming from with her actions.
As the third day of the trial begins Max and Bill are scheduled to give their testimony and this is an emotional time for them, forcing them to relive some of the most horrific moments of their lives. These stories are heart-breaking because both men are the sole survivors of their families and Bill even states that he is only there to give testimony on behalf of his younger sister who was killed at the camp and can’t speak for herself. Both sets of testimony hammer home how the lives of the Jewish people were decided in an instant upon arrival and Jordana is extremely emotional during this, providing comfort and support to her friends after the fact even getting beers with Max when court is concluded for the day. Despite this there are light-hearted moments like Max and Bill trying to find Jordana a boyfriend which she finds amusing given what they are doing right now.
During this day Jordana even addressed the judge and asks him how the trial is affecting him and how he is planning to remain unbiased given the nature of the testimony. Despite, not speaking much English, the judge answers her questions as much as he is able to and shows that he is impartial but the testimony makes him think of his own daughter going through something like that and it upsets him internally. At this point, Jordana has been writing her blog posts for when she returns home but the next day is Hedy’s testimony and Jordana is worried since Hedy is more vulnerable that Max and Bill despite being just as a strong. Day four looks at Hedy’s experience and it is hard for Jordana to hear despite having heard it before because of how it is affecting her friend but she gets through it and is comforted by her daughter and fellow survivors. Jordana is able to see the implications of what might have been from both sides and both are equally heart-breaking to think about.
The excerpts from Jordana’s blog convey her feelings well during the trial and by the time we reach the final days that Jordana is going to be in Germany, she has solidified what she is going to do going forward. On her final evening, she learns Thomas’s story and how his father helped hide and free Jews during the war and how that was passed down from his grandfather and father to him. Jordana has decided she wants to go into human rights and even after returning home she follows the trial closely. She keeps in touch with the survivors even meeting up with them a few times. Eventually she ends up going to Peru on a humanitarian mission where she learns of the guilty verdict. While Jordana is relieved and vindicated by the result she is also sad for those lives and stories lost. However, this was a gateway for others to be tried and some were despite their age as it sent a message to the world that these crimes wouldn’t be tolerated and would be prosecuted even decades later.
Overall, this was a heart-breaking and beautiful book bringing to light a different perspective on the story of WW2 we are all familiar with. The fact it is told from the perspective of someone closely linked to the war through her own family and the friends she has made in other survivors add a much more emotional and human element to the book. Highly recommended!
Title: To Look a Nazi in the Eye: A Teen's Account of a War Criminal Trial by Kathy Kacer & Jordana Lebowitz
Genre: Memoir, History, Social Justice
Rating: 4.25 Stars
I requested this from NetGalley a long time ago because I was going through a phase of reading WW2 fiction and non-fiction but never got around to it. After finally reading the synopsis, I cracked it open straight away because it is following the granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, Jordana Lebowitz as she attended the trial of Oskar Groening, the bookkeeper of Auschwitz, in Germany. We do get two timelines as we are following Jordana in 2012, as she heads to Auschwitz with her school and takes part in the March for the Living and it sparks something in her and she ends up becoming friends with a few survivors from the concentration camps and keeps in touch with them after. The second timeline is in 2015 when the trial is taking place.
The first ¼ of the book was being introduced to Jordana, her family and family history. While her grandparents weren’t in concentration camps as they fled to Romania, they still went through some horrific events and it is this personal connection to the war that drives Jordana to learn more. It also brings into play the events that led her to discover the trial was taking place through a survivor named Hedy who is attending as a witness to give testimony. Jordana decides in that moment she wants to attend the trial and begins looking into attending by contacting the lawyer involved for a pass into the courtroom and a translator, she gets a grant for travel in exchange for writing and speaking about the trial and deals with her parents and her own anxieties about the upcoming trip.
Jordana ends up getting to Germany and meeting some more survivors alongside the ones she knows before the first day of the trial begins. This is an historic day for Jordana and she is excited about it despite suffering from jet lag and an early start. While waiting for the first day to begin she meets some interesting people including the grandson of one of the most infamous Nazi, someone like herself witnessing history and a Holocaust denier, which infuriates her so much she sets the grandson on him to talk some sense into him. Jordana is surprised by how many German nationals have come out to show their support for the trial but Jordana is still filled with anxiety about the event she is going to witness. By the time Groening is brought in, Jordana is completely taken back by how he differs from the man she pictured in her head and feels some sympathy for the frail man being brought into the building.
Groening’s appearance is followed by opening statements from both sides which Jordana is eager to take notes on but only the media officials are allowed cameras, pens and paper. These statements are followed by Groening’s testimony which we have been getting in separate chapters. Groening seems to have a mountain of guilt and remorse for his role in the killing of the Jews but he is diminishing his role within the Nazi regime. This obviously brings out conflicting feelings in Jordana since she feels his remorse is genuine but can’t deny how he played a role in the misery and suffering her friends have endured, but she does realise that it isn’t going to be as a black and white as she initially thought. Jordana obviously sympathises with this frail old man but also cares for the survivors and understands their feelings clearly from her own grandparents and their feelings on the country in general.
After the lunch break, Jordana manages to smuggle in some writing supplies allowing her to take some notes to aid in her blog posts later on. This is also when the cross examination begins and Thomas begins to tear holes in Groening’s testimony forcing him to slowly admit the role he played in the deaths of nearly 300,000 Jews. As this is happening we are also witnessing the unfolding of these complex emotions in Jordana and then the witness testimony begins. The first to give evidence is Eva Kor, she and her sister were subject to horrific medical experimentation in the Nazi twin trials and amazingly both sisters managed to survive. At the end of her testimony Eva Kor hugs and kisses Groening claiming she forgives him and she clarifies later that she felt she couldn’t have peace until she let go of the hatred that she was carrying and did so because not because Groening deserved it but because she did. However, the other survivors are angry with her for doing this because they don’t feel the same but Jordana seems to understand where Eva was coming from with her actions.
As the third day of the trial begins Max and Bill are scheduled to give their testimony and this is an emotional time for them, forcing them to relive some of the most horrific moments of their lives. These stories are heart-breaking because both men are the sole survivors of their families and Bill even states that he is only there to give testimony on behalf of his younger sister who was killed at the camp and can’t speak for herself. Both sets of testimony hammer home how the lives of the Jewish people were decided in an instant upon arrival and Jordana is extremely emotional during this, providing comfort and support to her friends after the fact even getting beers with Max when court is concluded for the day. Despite this there are light-hearted moments like Max and Bill trying to find Jordana a boyfriend which she finds amusing given what they are doing right now.
During this day Jordana even addressed the judge and asks him how the trial is affecting him and how he is planning to remain unbiased given the nature of the testimony. Despite, not speaking much English, the judge answers her questions as much as he is able to and shows that he is impartial but the testimony makes him think of his own daughter going through something like that and it upsets him internally. At this point, Jordana has been writing her blog posts for when she returns home but the next day is Hedy’s testimony and Jordana is worried since Hedy is more vulnerable that Max and Bill despite being just as a strong. Day four looks at Hedy’s experience and it is hard for Jordana to hear despite having heard it before because of how it is affecting her friend but she gets through it and is comforted by her daughter and fellow survivors. Jordana is able to see the implications of what might have been from both sides and both are equally heart-breaking to think about.
The excerpts from Jordana’s blog convey her feelings well during the trial and by the time we reach the final days that Jordana is going to be in Germany, she has solidified what she is going to do going forward. On her final evening, she learns Thomas’s story and how his father helped hide and free Jews during the war and how that was passed down from his grandfather and father to him. Jordana has decided she wants to go into human rights and even after returning home she follows the trial closely. She keeps in touch with the survivors even meeting up with them a few times. Eventually she ends up going to Peru on a humanitarian mission where she learns of the guilty verdict. While Jordana is relieved and vindicated by the result she is also sad for those lives and stories lost. However, this was a gateway for others to be tried and some were despite their age as it sent a message to the world that these crimes wouldn’t be tolerated and would be prosecuted even decades later.
Overall, this was a heart-breaking and beautiful book bringing to light a different perspective on the story of WW2 we are all familiar with. The fact it is told from the perspective of someone closely linked to the war through her own family and the friends she has made in other survivors add a much more emotional and human element to the book. Highly recommended!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 11, 2021
I really enjoyed this one and I think I happened to read it at a time where the lessons seem so relevant.
This story follows Jordana, a teenage girl (18? 19? I forget), who connects with the history of her people by visiting Auschwitz and forming friendships with the Holocaust survivors who spoke during her visit. Through one of her friendships, she finds out that there is to be a war crime trial for Oskar Groening, the bookkeeper of Auschwitz. Although she doesn't have an explicable reason for it, Jordana feels the deep need to be present at this trial and witness history.
I won't lie - for most of this story, I found Jordana kind of pushy and juvenile. I had to keep reminding myself that she was still a teenager (young adult) and that I know what it's like to feel an intense passion for moments in history that I don't even understand. And in this case, Jordana *is* connected to the Holocaust as she is Jewish. Her family may not have died there, but her people were exterminated. It's bound to make you search for connections and meaning.
The most compelling part about this story was everyone's reaction to Groening. I thought it was brave that Jordana put into writing that she was first feeling sympathy for him after he told "his side." It's so easy to feel black or white about most disgusting moments in history and to not let ourselves hear someone's story if we've already judged them guilty. I also really appreciated that she kept those feelings to herself. I was so nervous that she was going to tell one of the survivors and it just wasn't her place to have an opinion on someone that had a hand in causing these people so much pain.
This story made me question forgiveness and accountability. If you are just part of the machine, are you guilty? If you didn't personally pull the trigger or fill the gas chamber, did you commit murder? If you choose to forgive someone for their part in something so abominable, are you implying that others should forgive them too? And if so, should you just keep your forgiveness to yourself so that you don't make the mistake of speaking for others?
It was a short book, but I got a lot out of it.
This story follows Jordana, a teenage girl (18? 19? I forget), who connects with the history of her people by visiting Auschwitz and forming friendships with the Holocaust survivors who spoke during her visit. Through one of her friendships, she finds out that there is to be a war crime trial for Oskar Groening, the bookkeeper of Auschwitz. Although she doesn't have an explicable reason for it, Jordana feels the deep need to be present at this trial and witness history.
I won't lie - for most of this story, I found Jordana kind of pushy and juvenile. I had to keep reminding myself that she was still a teenager (young adult) and that I know what it's like to feel an intense passion for moments in history that I don't even understand. And in this case, Jordana *is* connected to the Holocaust as she is Jewish. Her family may not have died there, but her people were exterminated. It's bound to make you search for connections and meaning.
The most compelling part about this story was everyone's reaction to Groening. I thought it was brave that Jordana put into writing that she was first feeling sympathy for him after he told "his side." It's so easy to feel black or white about most disgusting moments in history and to not let ourselves hear someone's story if we've already judged them guilty. I also really appreciated that she kept those feelings to herself. I was so nervous that she was going to tell one of the survivors and it just wasn't her place to have an opinion on someone that had a hand in causing these people so much pain.
This story made me question forgiveness and accountability. If you are just part of the machine, are you guilty? If you didn't personally pull the trigger or fill the gas chamber, did you commit murder? If you choose to forgive someone for their part in something so abominable, are you implying that others should forgive them too? And if so, should you just keep your forgiveness to yourself so that you don't make the mistake of speaking for others?
It was a short book, but I got a lot out of it.
December 13, 2017
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
"'Everyone cries here. There is no shame in that. If you're not moved by this experience, you won't be influenced by it,' the guide said...." (6). Being the granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, Jordana Lebowitz has been interested in history and her heritage for a long time. Her special connection to other survivors expands while on March of the Living, a high school trip with the Jewish Day School Jordana attended.
After the trip Jordana maintains contact with Hedy Bohm who survived Auschwitz but lost both of her parents there. Years after their initial meeting, Jordana learns Hedy is part of a group of Canadian survivors that are traveling to Germany to testify against Oskar Groening. Moved to be a witness of history and represent her generation, Jordana contacts Thomas Walther, the man responsible for organizing the survivors to attend the trial. With determination and persistence, Jordana is afforded the opportunity to attend Groening's trial. This book is a compilation of Jordana's experiences, photographs, trial testimonies, and blog entries.
THOUGHTS: Jordana's determination to witness history is inspiring. With aging Holocaust survivors, To Look a Nazi in the Eye encourages teens to know history and make a difference in their worlds. Readers looking for a contemporary connection to the Holocaust will get one in this book. With varied sources, there is much room for discussion. Because of the nature of the trial, this book is most suited for high school students studying or interested in learning more about the Holocaust.
345.43 Criminal Law, Holocaust
"'Everyone cries here. There is no shame in that. If you're not moved by this experience, you won't be influenced by it,' the guide said...." (6). Being the granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, Jordana Lebowitz has been interested in history and her heritage for a long time. Her special connection to other survivors expands while on March of the Living, a high school trip with the Jewish Day School Jordana attended.
After the trip Jordana maintains contact with Hedy Bohm who survived Auschwitz but lost both of her parents there. Years after their initial meeting, Jordana learns Hedy is part of a group of Canadian survivors that are traveling to Germany to testify against Oskar Groening. Moved to be a witness of history and represent her generation, Jordana contacts Thomas Walther, the man responsible for organizing the survivors to attend the trial. With determination and persistence, Jordana is afforded the opportunity to attend Groening's trial. This book is a compilation of Jordana's experiences, photographs, trial testimonies, and blog entries.
THOUGHTS: Jordana's determination to witness history is inspiring. With aging Holocaust survivors, To Look a Nazi in the Eye encourages teens to know history and make a difference in their worlds. Readers looking for a contemporary connection to the Holocaust will get one in this book. With varied sources, there is much room for discussion. Because of the nature of the trial, this book is most suited for high school students studying or interested in learning more about the Holocaust.
345.43 Criminal Law, Holocaust
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