What audience would you recommend In Our Midst to? Is there another book or author you feel has a similar theme or style?
I’m unsure if this unique aspect of U.S. history is currently taught in schools. Even still I’d recommend the book to not only adults but also high school students. This gap in my U.S. history knowledge is unfortunate. Having many German American ancestors who lived during this time period makes me wonder what challenges and possible discrimination they encountered.
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I agree with @NanK that it would be appropriate for YA readers as well as adults. As others have mentioned, it’s an aspect of history that few know about.
Regarding similar books, I mentioned Mercury Pictures Presents elsewhere for a picture of how Italian individuals were treated. Another novel that’s even closer to the topic is The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, That book focuses on a Japanese family in Seattle, and their experiences are similar to that of the Germans as shown in In Our Midst.
I’d recommend it to anyone who could read the book—12-99 or so! I used to teach Farewell to Manzanar about the Japanese internment, but I’d never read about German internments. I live in Wisconsin where there are lots, and I’m a quarter German. I think it’s so important to recognize that we haven’t always been as generous as a country, and to be wary of our reactions to war.
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I think this book would be great for book clubs or those who like historical fiction based on America’s little known past of internment for Germans and Italians during WWII. Nancy Jensen starts with Pearl Harbor to introduce you to the Aust family. Her character development allows you to care and brings this sad history alive. It is well written and propels you to experience their decisions, fears, and separations.
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I agree with NanK on the audience for this book and will add the book, The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, to my to read list.
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I have read a number of books about Japanese internment, but did not know about German internment. Neither did I know about taking an oath to keep silent. Middle School students often read about Anne Frank and her family and their hiding. Middle school students and older could learn a lot about the internment of ethnic Americans during the same time, then do comparisons–secrecy, camp discipline, food, family, messages, enrichment, boredom, etc.
Another historical period that needs exploration is the period during WWI. Germans in Wisconsin were suspect; I had a great-great uncle who got into a bit of trouble for not being willing to attend meetings about what was happening in Germany. Just before WWI, Wisconsin almost made German the official language.
I would recommend the book to readers who enjoy historical fiction and perhaps to those who enjoy reading about unique incidents in United States history especially those kept secret. I agree it would be appropriate for adults and high school students. I have enjoyed many historical fiction books set during World War II covering a wide range of topics.
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This is an ideal book for a book club. I already recommended it for my group. There is a lot to discuss and I can see where there could be different views…always a plus for book club. I would compare it to Susan Meisner, The Last Year of the War. There two young girls, one Japanese and one German meet and become friends at the internment camp. It was interesting to have both perspectives at the the same time
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I would recommend to my historical fiction book club because it included the role of women during this time period especially young women, Books I have read and recommend The Nurses Secret about the first nursing school ,
The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post and many more.
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Yes, kim.kovacs, those titles would be my suggestions as well. Also, I had never heard of Germans in America being arrested and sent to camps before reading this book. With released detainees and camp employees being required to sign an oath of secrecy and threatened with deportation if they ever spoke of it, it’s no wonder most Americans don’t know about this. This should be included in the high school history curriculum. People need to know about this!
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I would recommend this book to lovers of historical fiction and nonfiction. It is a great book club read. Also to those who have troubles with bias and prejudice. It may open their eyes to see we are all human and deserve respect.