When people hear the word “genocide,” most think–surely something like that can’t happen in today’s world. But unfortunately it has and it does. Jane Springer has written a book for young adults about genocide, and it is one that I recommend all teens read. Let’s have a new generation of people who CAN’T say, “Surely, that kind of thing doesn’t happen in today’s world,” because we have educated them that it does, and we have proven that education is the key in stopping this kind of brutality.
Springer’s book is short and to the point–perfect for teen readers. It is divided into seven chapters with titles such as: “Today’s Genocide,” “A History of Mass Violence,” “Responding to Genocide,” and my favorite chapter, “Preventing Genocide.” One of the most useful parts of the book is in the back. There’s a table titled, “Genocides Through History.” On this table, readers will discover the first genocide back in 146 BC all the way up to the Darfur/Sudan genocide in 2003. (The book’s copyright is 2006.) Besides the names and dates, the table also tells readers the name of the victims and how many, the perpetrators (who led the genocide), the method of killing, whether or not there was any sexual violence, and the legal trials that were a result of the genocide.
When students read a book like this, we want them to be outraged. We want them to be called into action to fight for the rights of the minority and abused. We want them to understand how genocide happens and how to prevent it. Students can begin on this journey when a teacher or parent hands them a book like Genocide by Jane Springer.
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