While we are no longer developing Digital Mysteries and Thinking Kit, we are leaving our website up for those of you interested in the ideas behind the Apps.

Young Germans and the Holocaust

Young Germans app

Audience: KS3/KS4

Subject: English, History

Topic: German History, Holocaust, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, Jews, Genocide, Nazi

Question: Emil’s younger sister has asked him what happens to the people who are being deported, and why they are being taken away. What do you think he would tell her?

Author: Elizabeth Doyle

 

 

Description

This mystery would be useful as part of a study of Nazi Germany in Key Stage 3 or 4 History, and also to provide historical context for any class examining novels based around the Holocaust, such as ‘The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas’ or ‘When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit’ in English.
It is hoped that this mystery will help students in their mid teens to understand the events of the Holocaust from the point of view of someone their age. Emil has to deal with the difficulty of trying to understand what could be happening, and also to deal with realisation that people whom he loves and trusts may be complicit in it. Bruno in ‘The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas’ is very young and has innocence on his side, whereas an older child such as Emil may have more information and understanding to process.