When I was ten years old, I read Lowis Lowry’s excellent book, “Number the Stars.” At ten, I thought I knew everything and was surprised I had never heard the story of the Holocaust before. Although this book is fiction, it opened my eyes to the struggles of millions of people before me. What I found most intriguing about that time period was that some of these people I had read about were still alive…most of them my grandparents’ age.

Now that the numbers of “The Greatest Generation” are slowly (and sadly) dwindling, it is more important than ever to teach others about the Holocaust and World War Two.While many parents may want to keep their children away from stories of death and suffering, these stories were meant to be told so that the world never forgets  those who lived and died before us.

If you feel your child is old enough to handle the mature content, there’s a great deal of information out there regarding the Holocaust. Here’s a list, by no means exhaustive, of books and movies where the topics of the Holocaust or the War are featured.

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry: Set in Denmark during the war, this Newbery medal winner tells the story of 10-year-old Annemarie, who helps save her Jewish friend by getting her to the fleets of boats waiting to transport Jews to Sweden.

Sala’s Gift: My Mother’s Holocaust Story: As an adult, Ann Kirschner learned her mother, Sala, had kept over 300 letters and postcards during her time in the relatively-unknown Organization Schmelt, which was when Jewish leaders provided their own as slave labor for the German war effort. Gives a great insight into the lives of those that the history books have forgotten.

The Diary of Anne Frank: This required-reading book tells the story of young Anne Frank, who comes of age in hiding in her father’s office building in Amsterdam.

The Girl in the Red Coat by Roma Ligocka: Made famous by Stephen Spielberg’s “Schindler’s List,” Ligocka was known in her childhood for the red coat she always wore. (The coat appears as the only color in the movie, though it inaccurately portrays Ligocka as being murdered.) This story follows her from a young girl hiding from the Nazis to a woman trying to find her own way in the world.

Night by Elie Wisel: Another required reading book, Night, tells the Nobel Laureate’s story as a teeanger who survived the Holocaust when his family did not.

Schindler’s List: A very touching movie; Schindler’s List is about Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who is credited with saving over 1,200 Jews through his factory. There are several scary scenes in this movie, however; please view accordingly by age and maturity.

Band of Brothers: Another Spielberg movie, this one originally a mini-series on HBO. It follows the Easy Company of the 101st Batallion from training all the way through D-Day. Several graphic scenes of war are shown, however, this movie is one of the best. A great way to see the war from the military perspective and what all the brave men and women gave for freedom.

The Sound of Music: This classic Julie Andrews film is great for family sing-a-longs, but the war is part of the story. Young children can understand the concept of the “bad men” who want to make Austrian Captain Von Trapp join the German army.

The Story of the Trapp Family Singers by Maria Augusta Trapp: If you’re interested in the Trapp family, check out this book by the matriarch, Maria. You’ll learn the true story (there were ten children, and none of them were named Liesel) behind this famous singing family.

The Diary of Petr Ginz: This diary, edited by Petr’s sister, tells the story of 14-year-old Petr, a Czech Jew, in the months leading up to his deportation to Auschwitz, where he ultimately died. He puts a human face on the victims– he often discusses issues such as school, family or the weather.

We Are Witnesses: Five Diaries of Teenagers Who Died in the Holocaust: The newest of all materials presented, We Are Witnesses is edited by Jacob Boas, who was born in the Westerbork concentration camp. The book details five young victims of the Holocaust, including the aforementioned Anne Frank. The tales of these Jewish teenagers give a varied glimpse into the lives of teens across Europe during this time.