In 2019, the Texas legislature passed Senate Bill 1828, opens a new window, creating an annual Texas Holocaust Remembrance Week in public schools. The purpose of the bill is to include age-appropriate instruction to “educate students about the Holocaust and inspire in students a sense of responsibility to recognize and uphold human value and to prevent future atrocities”. The Texas Holocaust, Genocide, and Antisemitism Advisory Commission (THGAAC), opens a new window and the Holocaust Museum Houston, opens a new window provide free resources, guidelines, toolkits, and materials for educators and students. This year Texas Holocaust Remembrance Week is January 22-26. The week falls during the week of January 27th, in honor of the date Allied forces liberated the Auschwitz-Birkenau Extermination Camp. January 27th is also designated as International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
During this week of remembrance, young readers and their families are encouraged to explore books about tolerance, community, anti-bullying, and the courageous heroes of the Holocaust. To support the educators, students, and families in our community, Harris County Public Library provides access to free materials and programs to enrich their learning experience. In partnership with the Holocaust Museum Houston’s Boniuk Library, HCPL welcomes children’s author Megan Hoyt to Harris County for Texas Holocaust Remembrance Week.
Meet Megan Hoyt at the Spring Branch Memorial Branch Library on Thursday, January 25, 10 - 10:45 AM. Ms. Hoyt will read her book Bartali’s Bicycle – an inspirational story of champion cyclist Gino Bartali and his secret work with the Italian resistance that saved hundreds of Jewish men, women, and children. The highly acclaimed Bartali’s Bicycle has appeared on two Texas reading lists for young readers: the Texas Bluebonnet Award List 2022-2023, opens a new window and the 2022 Texas Topaz Nonfiction Reading List for Grades 3-5, opens a new window. While explicit instruction on the Holocaust is not recommended for children below grade 6, introducing young readers to nonfiction reads like Bartali’s Bicycle is extremely valuable. Reading nonfiction helps young readers develop critical thinking skills, understand more complex text, learn new vocabulary, build background knowledge, and make real-world connections.
Visit the Events page, opens a new window for more program details and to add the event to your calendar.
The books below are similar to Bartali’s Bicycle. They explore the themes of tolerance, community, anti-bullying, Jewish identity, and the courageous heroes of the Holocaust.
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