THE OTHER VICTIMS: First-Person Stories of Non-Jews Persecuted by the Nazis

An experienced nonfiction author presents useful information about a subject on which little is available for children. Friedman describes the persecutions of Christians, of dissidents, of people in conquered countries, of those considered physically or racially defective, and of those ""unworthy of life"" (e.g., Gypsies and homosexuals), including background in both the history of intolerance and Nazi belief; lengthy first-person accounts of survivors are provided where available. The author relates the persecutions to societal causes already present in European cultures. While she writes with more passion than elegance, Friedman makes her important points clearly enough. The survivors' stories are vivid; the book as a whole is involving, with profound lessons for young readers. Sources given among other acknowledgments; bibliography; index.