I am late to the party for The Nazi Hunters by Neal Bascomb. I have been able to circulate it based on reviews and the interest generated in Holocaust topics by English and Social Studies Units. I needed a summer break to get it read!

A summary according to the Scholastic website:

In 1945, at the end of World War II, Adolf Eichmann, the head of operations for the Nazis' Final Solution, walked into the mountains of Germany and vanished from view. Sixteen years later, an elite team of spies captured him at a bus stop in Argentina and smuggled him to Israel, resulting in one of the century's most important trials, one that cemented the Holocaust in the public imagination.

The Nazi Hunters is the thrilling and fascinating story of what happened between these two events. Survivor Simon Wiesenthal opened Eichmann's case; a blind Argentinean and his teenage daughter provided crucial information. Finally, the Israeli spies, many of whom lost family in the Holocaust, embarked on their daring mission, recounted here in full (http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/book/nazi-hunters#cart/cleanup).

How will I sell this book?

· Our students are powerfully moved by the events of the Holocaust from their studies. They will be fascinated by this powerful nonfiction narrative that recounts the capture of the notorious Adolf Eichmann. Too often, we stop the discussion at the end of the war. I was very moved by the personal connection that so many in this operation had to the Holocaust because murdered family and friends. Students will appreciate the justice here.

· This book reads like a novel. Many of our students are required to read nonfiction by their teachers. Some really prefer the titles that read more like fiction as they are not accustomed to nonfiction. Honestly, I have only come to truly appreciate nonfiction as a librarian in large part thanks to books like this. We talk about this, the kids and I.

· I also have kids who really prefer true stories to “made up” stuff. This one will be a good one for them.

· The spy network aspect of this story will really help it appeal to my guys. I am always on the lookout for titles that are appropriate, relevant, and engaging.

What will I pair this with?

A variety of pairings suggest themselves. We could look at the history of spying with titles such as:

· The Dark Game: True Spy Stories, Paul B. Janeczko

· George Washington, Spymaster: How the Americans Outspied the British and Won the Revolutionary War, Thomas B. Allen

· Women Heroes of World War II: 26 Stories of Espionage, Sabotage, Resistance, and Rescue, Katherin J. Atwood.

I could certainly also pair it with Holocaust titles, like:

· Surviving the Angel of Death: the Story of a Mengele Twin in Auschwitz

Related resources:

Nazi Hunting at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum:
http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10007151

I can’t wait to get back to school to sell this as a reader of it rather than just someone who has read the reviews!