Why Do They Hate Me?: Young Lives Caught In War And Conflict

by Laurel Holliday

Abridged versions of three titles from the award-winning Children of Conflict series--Children in the Holocaust and World War II, Children of the "The Troubles," and Children of Israel, Children of Palestine--offer coming-of-age stories from young people living in dangerous situations. Original.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, History, War

295 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published September 1, 1999

About the author

Laurel Holliday, formerly a college teacher, editor, and psychotherapist, now writes full time in Seattle.

She is the award-winning author of the Children of Conflict series. The three volumes were collected and abridged in the Archway Paperback edition titled Why Do They Hate Me?: Young Lives Caught in War and Conflict. Dreaming in Color, Living in Black and White is an abridged edition of Holliday's fourth title in the Children of Conflict series, Children of the Dream: Our Own Stories of Growing Up Black in America.

Laurel Holliday is also the author of Heartsongs, an international collection of young girls' diaries, which won a Best Book for Young Adults Award from the American Library Association.

Reviews

[Megan Deming · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was not what I was expecting it to be. It was from several points of view and took place during the Holocaust, The Troubles in Northern Ireland, and The Israeli/ Palestinian Conflict. I believe that the author should have written three different books rather than combining three conflicts into one book. The book was also hard to understand at certain points. Some stories were far shorter than others which was very disappointing and some ended in cliff hangers. It took me a while to finish the book because it did not really grab my attention, but as soon as it did the point of view would change. It did not give me a good understanding of any of the three conflicts.

[Levi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a collection of short diary entries from youth in times of war and conflict. The stories describe holocaust and world war II, the troubles in Northern Ireland, and the Israel/Palestine Conflict. The young writers accurately and distinctly tell about the terrible events that happened around them and to them, writing well and not leaving anything out. Some of these writers survived, and some did not.

I was surprised at how resilient and fearless some of the writers (especially the Holocaust victims) were in the face of death and destruction. One of them, Colin Perry, refused to enter bomb shelters during raids and instead watched them from his window or did normal things around the house. Once he even rode his bicycle underneath an aerial battle, watching the bombs and planes fall with fascination. He insisted that he was not scared, and even when he described the most morbid and gruesome scenes he said that his stomach was not turned.

I appreciated the book because it said many things worth saying. It dealt with a lot of serious history. These things should never be forgotten. However, there were times when I found the text difficult to understand or difficult to focus on. One thing that would help this book a lot would be a commentary with background information in it that would help the reader to understand the significance of the events that the writers were observing.

[David Luong · Rating 5 out of 5]

The moment I started reading this book, I got immediately interested on the topic that it discusses, which was about the elimination of Jews during the Holocaust. The story takes place in European regions, mainly in Poland and Germany. At some point, it also mentions German Fascist leader, Adolf Hitler, a cruel leader who proposed his euphemistic plan, called "The Final Solution" in order to get rid of all Jews as fast as possible.

Besides Hitler's reign of power during this era, there were many internal conflicts among Europeans of various sections; a vast majority went against the Jews due to hatred. More horrifically, tensions increased in an night event when thousands broke windows of random houses; that was said to be called the "Kristallnacht."

Anyways, the book was actually based on a story of a young Jewish girl and her family, who were defied many times in their society. In addition to facing their hardships, they were teased by the Fascists,in other words, Hitler's men. An instance of this would be being brought to torture in and out of concentration camps.

After reading this book, I learned a lot about life during that time, and the kinds of emotions that are very common, especially in the present-day. If someone chooses to read a very inducing book, I would highly suggest him or her to read this first.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't remember exactly when I first read this. Maybe it was late middle school or early high school, I don't know. I do remember the impact it left, though. It was one thing to read about some of these conflicts in history class or wherever, but to read accounts like this really hit hard. It really made me think about how easy I had it, compared to these kids, and made me much more grateful for the life I was born into and the opportunities and freedoms that I had.

I think that more teenagers, especially in America, should read this book. I really think it could give them a little more perspective on how small some of their problems are that seem so devastating. Yes, some kids in America really do have it tough, but a better understanding of what really could be called "tragic" and "hardship" would be good for a lot of people. It could give a whole new meaning to the phrase "First World Problems."

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I personally love reading about history, particularly about the holocaust. But, I don't like reading it if it is made up, when it comes to the holocaust I like actual stories and diary entries... This book was very good!

[Margo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually did not finish the book. I read about half, approximately 6 diaries of children caught up in the Holacost (spelling?) and could not read any more...it was too sad and too intense for me knowing that that all met their sad fate in the concentration camps. too heart wrenching!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful and moving collection of diary entries, short stories, and memoirs of children caught in the middle of war. Definitely worth reading regardless of your age. It sheds light on historical and current events in a way that text books and newspaper articles never could.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Offers an insight into how fortunate we were and our children are to be living in a free society that is not involved in the day to day violence of war and political or religious strife.

[Cydney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this in 6st grade and still pick it up if I need a good dose of reality and a good cry.

[Lamar Walker · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think it has good thought about what's going on in the middle of the holocaust.