Spring, Debbie: The Righteous Smuggler.Spring, Debbie THE RIGHTEOUS SMUGGLER. ISBN ISBN abbr. International Standard Book Number ISBN International Standard Book Number ISBN n abbr (= International Standard Book Number) → ISBN m 1896764975. Toronto, ON: Second Story Press, 2005. 160 pp. $6.95 US/$8.95 CAN. This book is the latest addition to the Holocaust Remembrance Series. On May 10, 1940, the Nazis invaded the Netherlands, marking the beginning of a long period of oppression. Twelve-year-old Hendrik, who narrates this story, is alarmed as he sees his Jewish friends expelled from school, as well as other atrocities. Spring present a fictitious tale of a boy and his father who fought back against injustice, which sheds light on the fact that many non-Jews risked great peril to help their Jewish neighbors survive the Holocaust. While tracing the developments of the occupation, Spring demonstrates the power of Nazi propaganda Nazi Germany was noted for its psychologically powerful propaganda, much of which was centered around Jews, who were consistently alleged to be the source of Germany's economic problems. to brainwash brain·wash tr.v. brain·washed, brain·wash·ing, brain·wash·es To subject to brainwashing. n. The process or an instance of brainwashing. children and adults into internalizing racist ideology. Blatant expressions of hate were inescapable; signs posted on park benches read "no Jews or dogs allowed" and people were forced to watch propaganda newsreels at the theater. Spring demonstrates the madness of this ideology with the powerful symbol of Hendrik's growing love for Malka, a beautiful Jewish girl, whom he finds to be delicate, smart, lively, and beautiful. Ultimately, the author provides a context to the Holocaust, in particular the popular discourse and acceptance of social Darwinism social Darwinism Theory that persons, groups, and “races” are subject to the same laws of natural selection as Charles Darwin had proposed for plants and animals in nature. and racism throughout Europe (and, tacitly, in North America North America, third largest continent (1990 est. pop. 365,000,000), c.9,400,000 sq mi (24,346,000 sq km), the northern of the two continents of the Western Hemisphere. ) that played a critical role in the acceptance, or at least toleration TOLERATION. In some. countries, where religion is established by law, certain sects who do not agree with the established religion are nevertheless permitted to exist, and this permission is called toleration. , of the Nazis and their policies. Ages 9-12. Reviewed by David dos Reis, York University. |
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