Germany is an important economic and cultural leader in Europe. Its modern identity has been shaped by its unique history, leading to a vibrant, multicultural society. Today, nearly one in three children in Germany live in a family with a migration background. Selecting books for German students requires an understanding of Germany’s history and an appreciation of the present.
Germany’s 20th-century history has shaped a thoughtful and cautious approach to national identity. For many years, strong displays of patriotism were uncommon, as people critically reflected on the Nazi era. This, alongside strong regional differences means that people may identify as Bavarian or from Berlin before identifying as German. Decades of migration and the Gastarbeiter (guest worker) programs have transformed modern-day Germany into a multicultural society. All this means that educators need to choose books that reflect this reality; by authors with migration backgrounds, and that present multiculturalism as a normal and valuable part of German life.
Teachers should be aware of the many regional variations of German. Books are generally written in High (standard) German, which is the language used in schools, on the news, and in government. However, there are many local dialects that use different vocabulary and pronunciation. Students who have not had a formal education in German schools may be less familiar with Standard German, and require support accessing texts.
Navigating the history of the Third Reich is a sensitive but essential task. The modern German approach is not to assign collective guilt but to foster a strong Erinnerungskultur (Culture of Remembrance). This pedagogical philosophy is a direct reversal of the Nazi method of indoctrination. Where the Nazi regime suppressed critical thinking, teaching about the Holocaust is mandatory in German schools, to cultivate empathy, ethical reasoning, and a deep understanding of how such atrocities can happen in order to prevent their recurrence.
When selecting German historical fiction, focus on stories exploring personal experiences of friendship, loss, and moral courage. Germany’s most respected children’s literature award, the Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis, is an excellent resource for finding German and international books that handle this history with great care and understanding.
Thalia, one of Germany’s largest bookstores, is an excellent source for German literature in both its original language and English translations.
While Thalia ships to many European countries, we recommend a freight forwarder like forward2me for delivery to other global locations. With forward2me, you get a German mailing address to consolidate your book orders, which are then shipped to you anywhere in the world.
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