Daniel Half Human and the Good Nazi by David Chotjewitz

Reference: Chotjewitz, David. Daniel Half Human and the Good Nazi.  New York: Athenuem Books for Young Readers, 2004. 

            Daniel Half Human and the Good Nazi discusses the story of a young boy named Daniel growing up in Germany in the early 1930’s.  It takes place during the time of the rise of Hitler and as the novel progresses, Chotjewitz remains historically accurate in his depiction of the deterioration of the standard of living for many Germans and particularly German Jews.  Daniel learns that he is half-Jewish, something that his parents neglected to tell him before that point because it was insignificant to their lives.  However, as the years progress and Daniel and his best friend Armin, an Aryan, begin to experience the changes in their country, tensions occur in all aspects of their lives because of the fact that Daniel is a Jew.  The novel spans about 15 years of time, through the end of World War II, and we see how Daniel and Armin grow together and grow apart during that time. 

            I enjoyed this novel very much and think it takes a unique perspective on a Holocaust story.  It examines the search for identity and themes of loyalty and morality while also explaining the historical context behind that time period.  Significant events such as the lead up to and actual night of Kristallnacht, or the Night of Broken Glass, are outlined and explained but are also given emotion and meaning through viewing these historical events in the eyes of the characters.  It is a quick read with short chapters and it explores topics of war, relationships (both friendship and romantic), and the daily life of middle and high school children.  I would recommend this book to any middle-school and Freshmen classes (although the themes are very sophisticated, the writing itself may be too young for older high school grades).  Overall, it is an excellent novel that would keep any child (or adult’s) attention and carries with it so many significant themes and topics that would warrant rich discussion in a classroom.