In Search of Sugihara: The Elusive Japanese Diplomat Who Risked his Life to Rescue 10,000 Jews From the Holocaust

"In Search of Sugihara: The Elusive Japanese Diplomat Who Risked his Life to Rescue 10,000 Jews From the Holocaust" dives into the enigmatic life of Chiune Sugihara, a Japanese diplomat stationed in Lithuania during World War II. Published on November 4, 1996, this biography by Hillel Levine explores how Sugihara defied his government's alliance with Nazi Germany by issuing transit visas to Jewish refugees, facilitating their escape from impending genocide. With no clear motive uncovered through Levine's extensive research, Sugihara's actions pose a profound mystery in the moral landscape of human behavior. The book not only captures a lesser-known narrative of rescue during the Holocaust but also challenges the reader to ponder the inexplicable nature of altruism. Tailored for middle-school readers, this narrative enriches their understanding of racial justice and religious freedom, urging young minds to reflect on the complexity of courage and compassion in times of crisis.