Description
When the Nazis came to power in Europe, the lives of homosexuals came to be ruled by fear as raids, arrests, prison sentences and expulsions became the daily reality. When the concentration camps were built, homosexuals were imprisoned along with Jews. The pink triangle, sewn onto prison uniforms, became the symbol of their persecution. Branded by the Pink Triangle combines historical research with first-person accounts and individual stories to bring this history to life for readers. From the first chapter, with its story of a young Jewish girl who was rescued from the depths of despair and starvation in the camps by a fellow prisoner who wore the pink triangle, to the last, entitled It Gets Better, which outlines the strides forward in gay rights made in the decades since the war, the feeling of bravery and perseverance in the face of inhuman cruelty shines through.
Contributor Notes
Ken Setterington is a storyteller, author, children’s book reviewer, and a librarian. He was the first Children and Youth Advocate for Library Services for the Toronto Public Library. He has been on the award committee for the Newbery, Caldecott, and Sibert awards. He is the author of the ground-breaking picture book Mom and Mum are Getting Married!
Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels
- Age:
- 13 to 17
- Grade:
- 7 to 12
- Reading age:
- 13 to 18
Editorial Review
“Setterington’s slim book, which should be in schools, synagogues and human rights museums everywhere, speaks volumes about a time that few LGBT youths today, contemplating who to take to the prom or the parade, would have knowledge about.” — Toronto Star
“An impassioned and cogent history of the persecution of gay men during the Holocaust.… a remarkably informative and necessary work.” — Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)
“Telling the stories of the men who faced this persecution, the long road back to acceptance, and the story of the pink triangle, "Branded by the Pink Triangle" is a strong addition to gay studies and history collections, as well as Holocaust studies collections.” — The Midwest Book Review
“By weaving the individual experiences into a broader account of the treatment and persecution of homosexuals by the Nazi regime, the author provides a compelling and evocative narrative.… Period photographs, a lengthy time line, and an extensive bibliography round out the strengths of this thoughtful, informative work.” — School Library Journal
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Annotations
An Important Story About Gay Rights
Clear and simple language makes this book a captivating and easy read even though the topic is difficult. Who can believe that homosexuality was a crime till only a few decades ago in Canada and still is punishable by death in many parts of the world. An excellent primer to the history of gay rights, a warning to our future generations about what can happen when a nation topples into near bankruptcy or perhaps aren't careful with our vote.
Moving Tribute
I was moved by the stories of the gay men who met a terrible fate in German concentration camps because of their sexual orientation. Everyone should read this book about a largely forgotten group of people.
Librarian review
Branded by the Pink Triangle
The undertold history of the persecution of gay men by the Nazi regime during the Holocaust. Mom and Mum are Getting Married! By Ken Setterington
This resource about the Nazi treatment of homosexuals who were imprisoned in Nazi Germany provides adolescents with a historical record of gay men who were harassed and persecuted for their sexual identity, and will help students gain sympathy and understanding of homophobia. The pink triangle has become a symbol for gay rights and Setterington’s book is an important, accessible nonfiction title that presents historical facts, biographical information, and photographs that gives students important insight into the persecution of homosexuals in the holocaust.
Source: Association of Canadian Publishers. Top Grade Selection 2016.
