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The Assignment

Liza m. wiemer.

336 pages, Hardcover

First published August 25, 2020

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THE ASSIGNMENT

by Liza Wiemer ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 25, 2020

An important plot-driven story about two teens who stand up for what’s right in the face of adversity.

High school seniors and best friends Logan and Cade are asked to defend the indefensible as part of a history assignment; they refuse.

Logan and Cade are not Jewish, but when their history teacher, Mr. Bartley, gives them an assignment in which they are to take on the role of Nazis and reenact the Wannsee Conference of 1942, each taking a side of the “debate” about the Final Solution, they protest. This is not a debate at all but a dehumanizing discussion about the extermination of the Jewish people. Narrated from the perspectives of several different characters, the novel tells a fictionalized story based on the actions of two New York state teens who stood against their teacher, principal, and, eventually, their school district with the help of their families and community. Despite abrupt, sometimes confusing point-of-view switches and somewhat wordy prose, this fast-paced novel will keep readers thoroughly engaged and eager to learn the resolution, rooting for Logan and Cade the whole way. The book contains a small element of romance as well as some references to sexual assault and physical abuse. The book also depicts anti-Semitic actions and related hate crimes. Main characters are assumed to be cisgender, white, and straight. There is diversity among the secondary characters, including one queer character.

Pub Date: Aug. 25, 2020

ISBN: 978-0-593-12316-4

Page Count: 336

Publisher: Delacorte

Review Posted Online: May 31, 2020

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2020

TEENS & YOUNG ADULT SOCIAL THEMES | TEENS & YOUNG ADULT SCHOOL & FRIENDSHIP

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BOOK REVIEW

by Liza Wiemer ; illustrated by Margeaux Lucas

IF HE HAD BEEN WITH ME

by Laura Nowlin ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 1, 2013

There’s not much plot here, but readers will relish the opportunity to climb inside Autumn’s head.

The finely drawn characters capture readers’ attention in this debut.

Autumn and Phineas, nicknamed Finny, were born a week apart; their mothers are still best friends. Growing up, Autumn and Finny were like peas in a pod despite their differences: Autumn is “quirky and odd,” while Finny is “sweet and shy and everyone like[s] him.” But in eighth grade, Autumn and Finny stop being friends due to an unexpected kiss. They drift apart and find new friends, but their friendship keeps asserting itself at parties, shared holiday gatherings and random encounters. In the summer after graduation, Autumn and Finny reconnect and are finally ready to be more than friends. But on August 8, everything changes, and Autumn has to rely on all her strength to move on. Autumn’s coming-of-age is sensitively chronicled, with a wide range of experiences and events shaping her character. Even secondary characters are well-rounded, with their own histories and motivations.

Pub Date: April 1, 2013

ISBN: 978-1-4022-7782-5

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Review Posted Online: Feb. 12, 2013

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2013

TEENS & YOUNG ADULT ROMANCE | TEENS & YOUNG ADULT SOCIAL THEMES

More by Laura Nowlin

by Laura Nowlin

More About This Book

SEEN & HEARD

IF ONLY I HAD TOLD HER

by Laura Nowlin ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 6, 2024

A heavy read about the harsh realities of tragedy and their effects on those left behind.

In this companion novel to 2013’s If He Had Been With Me , three characters tell their sides of the story.

Finn’s narrative starts three days before his death. He explores the progress of his unrequited love for best friend Autumn up until the day he finally expresses his feelings. Finn’s story ends with his tragic death, which leaves his close friends devastated, unmoored, and uncertain how to go on. Jack’s section follows, offering a heartbreaking look at what it’s like to live with grief. Jack works to overcome the anger he feels toward Sylvie, the girlfriend Finn was breaking up with when he died, and Autumn, the girl he was preparing to build his life around (but whom Jack believed wasn’t good enough for Finn). But when Jack sees how Autumn’s grief matches his own, it changes their understanding of one another. Autumn’s chapters trace her life without Finn as readers follow her struggles with mental health and balancing love and loss. Those who have read the earlier book will better connect with and feel for these characters, particularly since they’ll have a more well-rounded impression of Finn. The pain and anger is well written, and the novel highlights the most troublesome aspects of young adulthood: overconfidence sprinkled with heavy insecurities, fear-fueled decisions, bad communication, and brash judgments. Characters are cued white.

Pub Date: Feb. 6, 2024

ISBN: 9781728276229

Page Count: 416

Review Posted Online: Jan. 5, 2024

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2024

TEENS & YOUNG ADULT SOCIAL THEMES | TEENS & YOUNG ADULT FICTION | TEENS & YOUNG ADULT ROMANCE

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Amadea Hofmann

Ya books in review: the assignment  .

The Assignment , Liza M. Wiemer , Delacorte Press, 336pp, 2020, £13.70 (hardback)

Liza M. Wiemer’s novel, The Assignment, is a frighteningly realistic portrayal of modern antisemitism in a small-town community that blurs the lines between past and present, fiction and reality. The novel is a fictionalised account of a real assignment that is given to students, which instructs them to debate the Final Solution, the Nazi’s plan for the genocide of the Jewish people. When students Logan March and Cade Crawford protest holding the debate, they clash with their classmates, the school administration, and the wider community. What follows is a powerful polemic against bigotry, discrimination, and antisemitism – a valuable reminder to stand up for one’s morals and beliefs, no matter how unpopular they seem.

‘History is one of our best teachers’, writes Wiemer. ‘Unfortunately, this assignment will show you that society hasn’t learned much at all.’ This sentiment becomes upsettingly clear when the reader hears from Holocaust survivors, who describe how antisemitism still plagues them almost 80 years later. This is particularly important considering that the target audience is a generation for whom the atrocities of the Second World War and its aftermath are no longer in living memory. The survivors’ harrowing accounts of their experiences in Nazi Germany help bridge this gap and give a human face to the atrocities amid a debate that elides emotion and dignity under the pretense of reason. The debate’s dismissal of human suffering results in inadvertently legitimising Nazi thought which comes to fuel hateful beliefs and intolerance among the student population.

In contrast to Logan and Cade’s outrage, their classmates and the school administration exhibit shockingly cavalier attitudes towards the debate. Wiemer deftly demonstrates how mentalities like these that give tacit approval have appalling, tangible ramifications. Before long the student body is alarmingly reminiscent of Hitler’s Germany, as students mimic Nazi salutes and call themselves ‘the Aryans’. The book explores how quickly herd mentality can lead to malicious intent. The Assignment does not explore its antisemitic characters in any great detail. This is no doubt deliberate, yet one wonders whether a more complex depiction of the characters’ inner lives – what drives the acceptance of such abhorrent, hateful beliefs – might contribute a better understanding of the root of this hostility.

But this is not Wiemer’s preoccupation. Rather, the overarching message is a timeless and important one. After Logan and Cade contact journalists to help promulgate their cause, they become the subject of online and real-life harassment. Despite this, they continue to advocate for their beliefs and question authority. During an era of burgeoning youth activism, this is a hugely empowering message for young adults, as the thought of confronting power in a classroom, for many, is a daunting one. Indeed, the reader is constantly challenged to envision themselves in the protagonists’ shoes, to reflect on how they would act—or if they would have the courage to act at all. The challenge is not a new one but is perhaps now more important than ever.

As the last of the survivor generation passes away, there is a growing chasm between younger generations and the horrific consequences of the Final Solution and its pernicious legacy. With antisemitic hate crimes on the rise, literature like The Assignment remains pertinent and vital in in combatting them. By examining the very human evil of Nazi Germany, in a contemporary context, Wiemer highlights the ease at which discrimination is readily normalised. Moreover, the protagonists’ inspiring persistence helps young readers understand their responsibility in holding others accountable and preventing history from repeating itself.

Words by Amadea Hofmann.

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Look Inside

The Assignment

By liza wiemer, by liza wiemer read by emily lawrence , lincoln hoppe , julia whelan , andrew eiden , liza wiemer and full cast, category: teen & young adult fiction | teen & young adult social issues, category: teen & young adult fiction | teen & young adult social issues | audiobooks.

Aug 31, 2021 | ISBN 9780593123195 | 5-1/2 x 8-1/4 --> | Young Adult | ISBN 9780593123195 --> Buy

Aug 25, 2020 | ISBN 9780593123171 | 5-1/2 x 8-1/4 --> | Young Adult | ISBN 9780593123171 --> Buy

Aug 25, 2020 | ISBN 9780593123188 | Young Adult | ISBN 9780593123188 --> Buy

Aug 25, 2020 | 537 Minutes | Young Adult | ISBN 9780593207871 --> Buy

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Aug 31, 2021 | ISBN 9780593123195 | Young Adult

Aug 25, 2020 | ISBN 9780593123171 | Young Adult

Aug 25, 2020 | ISBN 9780593123188 | Young Adult

Aug 25, 2020 | ISBN 9780593207871 | Young Adult

537 Minutes

Buy the Audiobook Download:

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About The Assignment

Inspired by a real-life incident, this riveting novel explores the dangerous impact discrimination and antisemitism have on one community when a school assignment goes terribly wrong. Would you defend the indefensible ? That’s what seniors Logan March and Cade Crawford are asked to do when a favorite teacher instructs a group of students to argue for the Final Solution–the Nazi plan for the genocide of the Jewish people. Logan and Cade decide they must take a stand, and soon their actions draw the attention of the student body, the administration, and the community at large. But not everyone feels as Logan and Cade do–after all, isn’t a school debate just a school debate? It’s not long before the situation explodes, and acrimony and anger result. Based on true events, The Assignment asks: What does it take for tolerance, justice, and love to prevail ? “An important look at a critical moment in history through a modern lens showcasing the power of student activism.” — SLJ

A SYDNEY TAYLOR NOTABLE BOOK   Inspired by a real-life incident, this riveting novel explores discrimination and antisemitism and reveals their dangerous impact. Would you defend the indefensible? That’s what seniors Logan March and Cade Crawford are asked to do when a favorite teacher instructs a group of students to argue for the Final Solution–the Nazi plan for the genocide of the Jewish people. Logan and Cade decide they must take a stand, and soon their actions draw the attention of the student body, the administration, and the community at large. But not everyone feels as Logan and Cade do–after all, isn’t a school debate just a school debate? It’s not long before the situation explodes, and acrimony and anger result. Based on true events, The Assignment asks: What does it take for tolerance, justice, and love to prevail? “An important look at a critical moment in history through a modern lens showcasing the power of student activism.” – SLJ

Listen to a sample from The Assignment

Also by liza wiemer.

About Liza Wiemer

Liza Wiemer is an award-winning educator with over twenty years of experience. She is the author of two adult nonfiction books, as well as a young adult novel. She lives in Milwaukee with her family. Visit her at LizaWiemer.com and… More about Liza Wiemer

Product Details

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“ I recommend this book . . . as a model of being an ally and what it takes to speak up for what’s right when confronted with something truly wrong. Excellent for reading in a classroom or as part of a book club.” —Evonne Marzouck-The Jewish Press  “A good choice for fans of Angie Thomas’s The Hate U Give and Nic Stone’s Dear Martin . ” — School Library Journal “This wise and nuanced novel has loving arms that, while hugging two teens who must confront a popular teacher, also can reach all those who are belittled and unheard.” —Thanhhà Lại, New York Times bestselling author of Inside Out & Back Again and Butterfly Yellow “A riveting, important , and thought-provoking read. Unputdownable and unforgettable.” —Leah Cypess, author of The Death Sworn series    “This fast-paced, compelling story will inspire readers to stick to their principles and fight for what’s right. A timely and necessary read. ” —Kip Wilson, author of White Rose “ Brave, breath-stealing and bold. A compelling and necessary read.” —Gae Polisner, author of The Memory of Things and Jack Kerouac Is Dead to Me “Readers won’t be able to resist putting themselves in the students’ shoes and thinking about when and where they themselves would draw the line, or if they would dare confront power at all.” —Nancy Werlin, author of The Rules of Survival “This fast-paced novel will keep readers thoroughly engaged. An important plot-driven story about two teens who stand up for what’s right in the face of adversity.” — Kirkus Reviews

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The Assignment

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Review of "The Assignment" and Interview with Author Liza Wiemer

I had been looking forward to reading Liza Wiemer’s The Assignment as soon as I heard a description. Based on a true story, Wiemer’s novel follows two teens who refuse to do an antisemitic assignment given in history class—one in which they’re expected to argue FOR the Nazi Final Solution and the murder of millions of Jewish people. Wiemer deftly handles this tough topic, creating two main characters, Cade and Logan, who are both fun and funny, witty and endearing, and just regular teens with regular teen problems on top of the huge challenge at the center of the novel. You’ll sink into the story as if you’re eavesdropping on their conversations. Wiemer’s dialogue writing is just that good! Standing up for the right thing should be easy, but somehow it never is—and the finely crafted plot brings us unexpected challenges and a surprising, poignant twist. This is an important modern-day story about intolerance and racism that every teen and adult should read and DISCUSS. I am going to be thinking about this book for a long time and take the liberty to quote the question on the cover. “Would YOU speak up for what is right?”

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Senior year. when an assignment given by a favorite teacher instructs a group of students to argue for the final solution, a euphemism used to describe the nazi plan for the genocide of the jewish people, logan march and cade crawford are horrified. their teacher cannot seriously expect anyone to complete an assignment that fuels intolerance and discrimination. logan and cade decide they must take a stand., as the school administration addressed the teens' refusal to participate in the appalling debate, the student body, their parents, and the larger community are forced to face the issue as well. the situation explodes, and acrimony and anger result. what does it take for tolerance, justice, and love to prevail.

Purchase from Boswell Books

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I’m so pleased Liza Wiemer has taken time out of her busy schedule to talk with us today. (Liza previously hung out with us when I reviewed her debut YA novel Hello? --read that post here. )

The Assignmen t is set to release on Monday, August 25. You’ve gotten some excellent reviews in the publishing world. School Library Journal’s review calls The Assignment “An important look at a critical moment in history through a modern lens showcasing the power of student activism.” And Kirkus says it’s “an important plot-driven story about two teens who stand up for what’s right in the face of adversity.” Wow. You have to be so excited!

These online events are open to anyone who registers to attend.

Monday, August 24, 6 pm CDT - Teens Speak Up Against Injustice: The Story Behind “The Assignment”

Online and in school, our students are inundated with situations that force them to make hard decisions and to confront situations that might alienate them from their peers. Join this conversation about real-life events, difficult choices and how ordinary teens can have the power to amaze and inspire us.

Sign up here: https://www.aju.edu/byachad-together/events/Teens-Speak-Up-Against-Injustice-The-Story-Behind-“The-Assignment”-

Tuesday, August 25, 7 pm CDT - Book Launch   at Boswell Book Company (virtual event)

Liza Wiemer, author of THE ASSIGNMENT discusses her latest novel, inspired by a real-life incident, which explores the dangerous impact of discrimination and antisemitism. Kirkus Reviews call The Assignment "an important plot-driven story about two teens who stand up for what's right in the face of adversity." This launch event will feature Wiemer in conversation with Boswell Book Company's Jenny Chou. Cosponsored by the Harry and Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center.

To learn more or sign up:   http://lizawiemer.com/boswell/

Q. I know your novel was inspired by a true story. Can you tell us a little bit about Archer and Jordan and their story?

A. Archer Shurtliff and Jordan April, both 17 at the time they received the assignment that helped to inspire this novel, attended separate upstate New York high schools and met at an education program titled, “Principles of Literary Representation.” They received an assignment that inspired the one I created for my novel. To learn more about the one the received, read this article: “ CNY students upset after being asked to defend Nazis, Holocaust for homework. ” Both students felt that the assignment was reprehensible and promoted hate. When they spoke up against it, they were able to choose an alternative assignment. Afterward, they continued the fight against the assignment. They contacted a reporter and also the Anti-Defamation League—an organization with a mission “to stop the defamation of the Jewish people, and to secure justice and fair treatment of all.” The teens extra actions and their deep commitment led to the promise that the assignment would never be given again. Over seventy students received the assignment, but only Jordan and Archer had the courage to speak out against it. One other student refused to do the assignment, choosing the alternative. Without a doubt, Archer and Jordon exemplify what it means to be upstanders instead of bystanders.

Q. Would you let us in on your novel’s journey? How long did it take to write? Did you have any setbacks with the progress? How did it find a home with Delacorte Press? (Phew – that’s a lot of questions!)

A. The journey to write this novel has what I would call a miraculous set of circumstances. More details can be found on my website: The Story Behind THE ASSIGNMENT . After I met Jordan in person at River’s End Bookstore in Oswego, NY, and talking with Archer on April 4, 2017, I ended up writing an article about the assignment and the experience. When I returned home, an author friend, Clara Kensie, declared that I had to write a novel about this, stating, “You were born to do this.”

I began doing extensive research in May 2017, returned to Oswego in July. Originally, I had written this book in third person omniscient so that I could highlight many different perspectives and show many different angles. When three agents told me that I had to write this in first person, I paid attention and started over. In September 2018, I was offered representation from Steven Chudney. After some revisions, he put it out on submission and within a few weeks we had an offer from Beverly Horowitz, Publisher and Senior Vice President of Delacorte Press.

Q. You’ve described being the target of antisemitism throughout your life. How did you feel taking on this tough topic when it is, in part, personal to you? I imagine that some scenes were very difficult to write.

A. Without a doubt, those experiences left a mark and I knew that I would often hide my Jewish identity from the outside world because I was afraid to become a target of hate. Writing this book brought them all to the surface and I had to confront the impact. Fear is powerful and can lead you to silence. But there were also many times where I would speak up. That was never easy, and those moments also left a mark. I drew upon all of those experiences to write this novel.

Q. Now, I’m going to be very careful here to not give anything away because I hate it when there are spoilers, but I’m dying to know if the big twist in the story was something you had in mind all along or if it came to you as you were writing?

A. Great question. It was actually something I had wanted to write about for many years and had considered including in my first young adult novel, Hello?. Actually, it was a part of an early draft. I had to cut it. Still, that storyline was important to me and it was perfect for The Assignment.

Q. You know how much I loved Hello? and now I’m a huge fan of The Assignment, too! Clearly, the world needs more of your writing. Are your next projects likely to be young adult novels or do you think you might ever switch genres. (And if you don’t think it is too impertinent during your launch week to ask . . . are you working on anything new right now?)

A. I actually revised a picture book that I had completed over twenty years ago. It needed updating. I also had to learn more about writing picture books. Revising it was a fun process and I’m really glad I pursed that. I have one idea for a young adult novel that my agent and editor like, but I’ve been struggling with it. Part of the reason is that we live in a different world now. Covid has changed everything and the place I had envisioned was based on a pre-Covid world. I’ll have to see what happens and whether or not I’ll find the inspiration to delve into it.

Q. Is there anything else you’d like to add?

A. Thank you so much for having me on your blog and I’m so grateful that SCBWI-Wisconsin has brought us together!

I am so grateful SCBWI-Wisconsin brought us together, too! 

Here’s where you can find Liza online:

Website: http://lizawiemer.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liza.wiemer

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizamwiemer/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LizaWiemer

Thanks so much, Liza! I know this week is crazy busy for you. Good luck with your launch!

And, to everyone reading this interview, you need to buy Liza’s book today—right now! Everyone needs to read this book!

To learn more about Liza's first book Hello? , click on the book cover below. 

Add new comment

Submitted by Sandy Brehl (not verified) on August 21, 2020 - 11:20am

I've read this book, and love it. The interview with Liza makes me even more eager to Attend her virtual launch party next week, hosted by Boswell Books. Thanks for this excellent spotlight on a book that is bound to become a longtime classic.

Submitted by valeriebiel on August 21, 2020 - 11:56am

Thanks, Sandy!! I agree that it will become classic! -- Val

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About the Author

Valerie Biel’s debut novel Circle of Nine - Beltany  has been honored as a 2015 Kindle Book Award Finalist, a finalist in the Gotham Writers' YA Novel Discovery Contest and the Readers' Favorite Book Award Contest as well as being a B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree. The final installment in this series - Circle of Nine - Sacred Treasures -  has also received a B.R.A.G. Medallion and was short listed for the Eric Hoffer Book Award grand prize, earning the First Runner-Up distinction in the YA category. 

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Q&A With Liza Wiemer, The Assignment

August 25, 2020 by We Need Diverse Books

By Alaina Leary

Today we’re pleased to welcome Liza Wiemer to the WNDB blog to discuss her YA novel The Assignment , out August 25, 2020!

What did you learn from the research you did about racist and antisemitic school assignments? 

School assignments exploring important, complicated issues are a crucial part of education. They foster critical thinking and discussion. However, damaging, misguided, and thoughtless assignments dealing with those tough issues can be presented in racist or antisemitic ways and are much more common than people would think. Once news got out that I was writing this novel, people messaged me or told me directly about similar harmful assignments—some successfully challenged, some that were not. Those who remained silent did so for several reasons: fear of confrontation, retaliation, or being ostracized. They didn’t want to cause trouble or get a teacher in trouble. Students didn’t want to be seen as tattletales or complainers. But no one should ever have to defend the indefensible. No one should have to justify the unjustifiable. Speaking up is hard. I heard from many who didn’t confront the issue that they regretted staying silent. We need to foster environments where upstanders are respected and feel safe to confront hatred and injustice. That’s why I feel having a novel like this is critical. It promotes discussion. It allows readers to contemplate what they would do if they found themselves in a similar situation and shows that courage comes from within.

Was there anything from your research that didn’t make it into  The Assignment ?

Yes, there was a lot of extensive historical research that didn’t make it into the novel. It would have bogged down the narrative or taken the story in too many different directions. 

One particular area of research I wanted to explore and incorporate in some way was the vile treatment of our American POWs by the Nazis. It’s not an area that’s often explored when learning about the Holocaust. The purpose of the Final Solution was to wipe out Europe’s eleven million Jews, but Nazi brutality extended beyond the Jewish population. 

So while I was reading about American World War II POWs, I came across the shocking story of Anthony Acevedo, a Mexican American combat medic in the United States Army, Infantry. He was one of 350 American soldiers captured during the Battle of the Bulge who were enslaved, starved, and tortured at Berga concentration camp because of ethnicity, skin color, or religion. He managed to keep a secret diary about their horrifying experience. 

Although I didn’t include this particular account, it’s important to know about this history. 

Check out the incredible testimony Mr. Acevedo gave for posterity to United States Holocaust Memorial Museum: Oral history interview with Anthony Acevedo. 

For a short interview, check out: “This POW kept a secret diary that showed daily life in a concentration camp.”  

Regrettably, I was unable to incorporate Gerda Weissman Klein’s remarkable and uplifting story that shows the power and resilience of the human spirit. She was a Holocaust survivor, author, and founder of Citizenship Counts. On February 15, 2011, President Barak Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest honor given to a civilian. Check out this deeply touching short video about her liberation by American solider, Kurt Klein, the man who eventually became her husband.

Although this book addresses an assignment about the Holocaust, this book is clearly set in the present. How can educators utilize this in their classrooms for Holocaust education?

The Assignment provides teachers and students with a strong foundation of historical information on the Holocaust that will be informative and enlightening to readers. It also shows the impact of antisemitism and all forms of hate have on society. The brave actions of Cade and Logan, the two teens in the novel who speak up against the hateful assignment, will evoke a lot of discussions, comparing the past to what we’re experiencing in today’s society. I do want to note that Logan, who is the first to react, is not Jewish.

Utilizing this book for Holocaust education is only one way it could be effectively used in classrooms. It can also be taught in English or social studies courses that focus on social justice, community, or world issues. It’s about empowering teens, providing many different examples for students to figure out how they would choose to address an injustice. This book lends itself to discussions on antisemitism, racism, anti-LGBTQIAP+, bullying, and what it takes to have the courage to be an upstander. I also wanted to show that seeking support from others within your school and/or your community is important and often not as challenging as one might imagine. There will be people who have your back!

There’s a powerful scene in the novel where community members come out and offer support to Cade’s family after their inn is vandalized. Why was that support pivotal for these teens and what did it mean for the community?

Before this moment, Cade and Logan received very little support from anyone at their school or community. After facing tremendous resistance and hateful acts, they had to draw upon strength from each other and from their families. But when the community came out, they no longer were isolated. This recognition made a statement against intolerance, antisemitism, bigotry, racism, and all forms of hate. Gathering together to protest and to show support is important, but it’s also just one step. During this rally, Cade gives a short speech expressing gratitude, but he also makes it clear that there is more work to be done. Deep-rooted bigoted belief systems need to be acknowledged, examined, and changed. That takes time, commitment, and hard work. We know about the importance of protesting and this novel shows it.

  What impact did writing this novel have on your own Jewish identity?

In “A Note From The Author,” I ask, “Can you be proud of your heritage, your faith, your identity, yet also have a strong need to protect or hide yourself from the outside world?” I love being Jewish and have spent my entire life active within the Jewish community, but in order to protect myself from horrible antisemitic attacks, which I experienced both as a child and an adult, I often chose not to expose this important part of my identity. Writing this book opened the door for me to examine this. Antisemitism has reached a 40-year high in the United States and it continues to rise. This experience made me realize that fear must not win. As Holocaust survivor and Nobel Peace winner, Elie Wiesel said, “the world did know and remained silent. And that is why I swore never to be silent whenever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.” 

Share a behind-the-scenes novel secret, something readers wouldn’t know just from picking up this book.

There is a protest scene to stop the debate. Others want it continued. When the protest gets out of hand, a secondary character starts singing “Hallelujah” and the crowd joins in. For me, it’s a goosebump moment. I listened and reviewed the lyrics of at least fifty songs before I found “Hallelujah” and realized how perfect it was for the scene. When the song ends, the girl who started it reveals something impactful about the song. People will have to read it to find out! Whenever I reread that section, it comes to life for me. I could see it happening today. 

  For one of my favorite “Hallelujah” performances, check out this YouTube video performed on Oprah by the Canadian Tenors with a surprise visit from Celine Dion.  

Are you a plotter or a panster? 

A mix, so a plantser. 

Before I start a novel, I have a general outline of the plot and I always begin a chapter thinking it through, talking to my characters, and planning out what I’m going to write. 

The pantser side comes out during bursts of inspiration. It’s usually when I’m so entrenched in the story that I’m nearly oblivious to what’s around me and I’m going with the flow, allowing the story to unfold. I love these moments because the unexpected usually makes the novel so much more interesting and engaging.

What other books do you think  The Assignment  is in conversation with? And do you have any recommendations for published or forthcoming YA novels?

I turn to the review from School Library Journal that said, “ A good choice for fans of Angie Thomas’s  The Hate U Give  and Nic Stone’s  Dear Martin. ” The correlation between The Assignment and these books I deeply admire is that they show the impact of hate, what it takes to be an upstander, and the strength needed to speak out against injustice, intolerance, bigotry, discrimination, racism, and hate. These books show ordinary teens who do something incredibly brave under circumstances they had no control over. They show that even though it’s hard, painful, and frightening to confront these issues, their voices matter, that teens can and must speak up against hatred.

Another book that The Assignment is compared to is The Wave by Todd Strasser, which was also based on a 1969 true incident that occurred in a Palo Alto, California high school history class. That novel shows how easy it is to be swept away into Fascist ideas and the destructive force it has on humanity.

What is one question you wish you were asked more often (and the answer)?

What advice would you give teens who don’t feel like they have a voice or are afraid to use it?

I grew up in a home where my voice was silenced. Even when I was right, I was told that I wrong, and arguing only got me into trouble. It’s a form of abuse when adults misuse their power or authority to try and silence teens. There are going to be people who come into your life or who are already in your life who’ll do everything they can to silence you. Always know that you are important, special, unique, beautiful just as you are. Do not let anyone steal your self-esteem with ugly words or actions. 

We know words have power and that people use them to knock others down. I personally know what this is like. But each one of us has a choice—we can either choose to lift others up or tear them down. Our words, our actions reflect on our most valuable possession and the only thing that we truly own, the only thing that we can truly control in this world is our name. Our name represents the lifetime collection of our words, actions, and deeds. Don’t allow others to tell you what to think or how to feel. Don’t allow others to define you. Listen. Learn. Seek out mentors you respect and who respect you. Read books that inspire you and help you to see yourself more clearly. And most of all, know that your voice matters. There are many ways to speak up. Find yours.  

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Marianne Fons

THE ASSIGNMENT, by Liza Wiemer

I met Liza Wiemer at a Write On, Door County event last year, and we became instant friends. She was working on THE ASSIGNMENT at the time, and told me the true story that inspired the manuscript she was writing. High school seniors in an Oswego, NY, area school were asked to portray Nazis in a debate. The two sides would argue for the best way to eliminate the Jewish people. Two students refused to participate.

THE ASSIGNMENT is told from varying points of view, but chapter breaks with title heads make the transitions easy to follow. We go deep inside the minds of Logan and Cade, the two students who refuse to debate. We feel the pressures with which many of the other teenagers constantly cope. We spend time with teachers and parents as everyone in a small, tight-knit community with zero Jewish residents lines up on one side or the other of the issue as it goes viral.

Liza and I stayed in touch in the months following the 2019 Door County event. Her book was sold to Delacorte Press, a division of Penguin Random House, and her editor at Delacorte pushed her for changes she felt would make the book even more powerful. Liza, who lives in Milwaukee, wound up making her final edits at our cottage on Washington Island. She told me that honing her novel in complete solitude, looking out on the vastness of Lake Michigan, was an unforgettable experience.

I happened to be at the cottage in Wisconsin this past August, when THE ASSIGNMENT was released, and eagerly awaited shipment to my favorite bookshop, Fair Isle Books . In the meantime, I knew I would be driving back to Iowa before returning to Washington Island mid-September. Cleverly, I downloaded the book from Audible and listened to the spoken version during my ten-hour drive.

Writers are often urged to “raise the stakes” in the stories we write—to increase the dramatic tension as the plot unfolds. THE ASSIGNMENT is a novel in which the author continually ups the ante. As I drove through Wisconsin, crossed the Mississippi, and entered my home state of Iowa, I was emotionally moved again and again, my eyelashes often damp as I blinked away tears. At one point, I had to pull off the road to process my thoughts.

THE ASSIGNMENT is categorized as YA (Young Adult), but adults play key roles throughout, making the story compelling for any reader. The chapters dedicated to the teens will take you back to the halls of high school, where emotions, loyalties, and peer pressure reign.

The question posed on the cover, Would YOU speak up for what’s right?  has stayed with me. It’s been decades since I was a senior in high school, and thinking back, I don’t know that I would have had the courage to speak up, regardless of the consequences, the way the young people in THE ASSIGNMENT do. Speaking truth to power is a challenge hard to meet, even as an adult.

I wound up purchasing not one, but six copies of THE ASSIGNMENT from Fair Isle. I’m keeping one forever, have given one to a writer friend, and three to educators I know. If you are currently an educator in a US high school, send me a note via the “contact” option above. Let me know if you could use this book in your curriculum, and I’ll mail my last copy to you.

PS Here’s a link from Fair Isle Books that will take you directly to the page where you can buy THE ASSIGNMENT directly from an independent bookstore.

12 thoughts on “THE ASSIGNMENT, by Liza Wiemer”

This book sounds really good. I will purchase a copy myself.

Thanks, Stephanie. Nice to see your name and face!

Marianne — I am super curious about this book now and will check it out. Thank you for another great book review!

Thanks, Julie! Mara would like this, too, I think.

Marianne, my teacher/daughter by marriage is into her second year as a teacher/mentor at a school system right here in Iowa. This means she can read and recommend THE ASSIGMENT to all her teachers. I know she would appreciate the gift of this book. Her name is Hallee Grantham Harrison and she is part of the Clear Creek Amana teaching community.

I will be reading this book and subsequently giving my copy to our grandkids as they become age appropriate. I read every WWII book in my local library by the time I finished 8th grade. One of my majors in college was history. My senior thesis in history was the influence of political and promotional artwork (specifically the posters) used by both the Allies and the Axis in war. Thank you for considering Hallee for the book.

Hello Deborah, Hallee sounds like the perfect recipient for my extra copy of THE ASSIGNMENT. I’ll need a mailing address, of course, so please shoot me a note at [email protected] . If you want it mailed via a school address rather than her personal address, I understand. I’m glad you will read this book! Who knows, maybe you will happen to cross paths with author Liza Wiemer one day and will have the opportunity to “talk history.”

Marianne, thank you so much. I sent you her address. She will be so excited! After I taught her to quilt, I gave her a copy of the beginning quilting guide by Liz and you. Mine was signed at one of Liz’s Ground Hog Day workshops with the Waterloo quilt. I have lots of your books, have been to the museum and have taken bus trip to Lincoln from Winterset.

Deborah, I received the address and will mail the book to Hallee today. I’m glad QUILTER’S COMPLETE GUIDE has been with you and Hallee. Thanks for visiting the Iowa Quilt Museum.

What an compelling introduction to a book I want to share with my high school granddaughter and my grandson who is studying to become a teacher! Marianne – thank you for being a part of the energy bringing The Assignment and its critical message to our attention. NOTICE – we can change ourselves – we can change others by our example.

Jeannie Kokes

Hi Jeannie, thanks for reading my review. I just received a link from Deb at Fair Isle that takes you directly to the page where you can buy the book. You could probably have it sent directly to your granddaughter and grandson: https://bookshop.org/a/494/9780593123164

I bought the book THE ASSIGNMENT based on your intriguing review. It is an excellent read! Thank you!

Carole, that’s great news. I’m so glad you liked it. One “read” may be enough for you, but the audio version I listened to is very, very well done. The actors who read the parts of Logan and Cade (especially Cade) are terrific.

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The Assignment by Liza Wiemer

Summary of  The Assignment :  

SENIOR YEAR. When an assignment given by a favorite teacher instructs a group of students to argue for the Final Solution, a euphemism used to describe the Nazi plan for the genocide of the Jewish people, Logan March and Cade Crawford are horrified. Their teacher cannot seriously expect anyone to complete an assignment that fuels intolerance and discrimination. Logan and Cade decide they must take a stand.    

As the school administration addressed the teens’ refusal to participate in the appalling debate, the student body, their parents, and the larger community are forced to face the issue as well. The situation explodes, and acrimony and anger result. What does it take for tolerance, justice, and love to prevail?  

How The Assignment can be utilized in the classroom:  

This award-winning novel is unique in how it connects the Holocaust to society today. It can be read as complementary material to your Holocaust education as it ties into the Wannsee Conference and Germany’s “Final Solution to the Jewish Question.” Not only does it touch on this history, The Assignment encourages students to think about social responsibility in their own lives. The novel explores the perspectives of individuals with differing opinions and looks at how discomfort and bullying, but also widespread support and encouragement, can foster when you go against the grain. The Assignment teaches students one of the primary lessons we can learn from the Holocaust- the power of one’s voice and the importance of standing up for what is right.   

Awards for  The Assignment:

2022/2023 Georgia Peace Book Award Nominee Free Little Library “Read in Color” Recommended Read TAYSHAS Recommended Read (Texas Library Association) A Bank Street College of Education Best Book of the Year 2022 Sakura Medal Award Nominee Sydney Taylor Book Award Notable for Young Adults Wisconsin State Reading Association Recommended Young Adult Novel Nerdy Book Club Best YA Fiction Novel YALSA/ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults Nominee Milwaukee County Teen Honor Book

The novel is excellent for a wide range of reading skill levels, we recommend the novel for grades 8 and above. The book is also available in audiobook format for anyone who may need or prefer it.   

“With short chapters, this novel is excellent for a wide range of reading skill levels, including reluctant readers. The book is also available in audiobook format for anyone who may need it. There are multiple narrators, illuminating the events in the story and their impact on the students, the school, the community, and even globally. The main characters are written in first person, providing intimate insight into their experience. Secondary characters are in third person, which creates a little distance while revealing how those characters are affected by what transpires. Text messages, video chats, headlines, articles, comment sections, and Twitter and Instagram posts are also included, making this a fascinating, timely window and mirror for readers.”

Teachers can request copies of the book, The Assignment by award-winning author and educator Liza Wiemer for their classroom. They may also request the option to add a free discussion with Liza.

To request books and inquire about a speaker please fill out the form here .

An accompanying curriculum guide is available here.    

If you are interested in donating to this program you can send a check to HERC or contact us at  [email protected]

Reviews and praise:  

Milwaukee Magazine – Review and interview    

“The Assignment explores what happens when a classroom lesson becomes indefensible” – Wisconsin State Journal  

“This fast-paced, compelling story will inspire readers to stick to their principles and fight for what’s right. A timely and necessary read .” —Kip Wilson, author of White Rose  

“… The Assignment… is one of the most interesting, powerful books I’ve read dealing with academic freedom. My bet is that spontaneous discussion will erupt after students read it.”  

— Pat Scales, School Library Journal’s Freedom to Read  

“Riveting, completely realistic, and powerful. Readers won’t be able to resist putting themselves in the students’ shoes and thinking about when and where they themselves would draw the line, or if they would dare confront power at all .” —Nancy Werlin, New York Times bestselling author and National Book Award Finalist for The Rules of Survival     “. . . this fast paced novel will keep readers thoroughly engaged.  An important plot-driven story about two teens who stand up for what’s right in the face of adversity.” — Kirkus Reviews  

About Liza Wiemer  

Liza Wiemer  is an award-winning educator with over twenty years of teaching experience. Her second young adult novel,  The Assignment , published by Delacorte Press, Penguin Random House, has received multiple honors, including the Sydney Taylor Notable Award. In addition, Liza has had two adult nonfiction books and another young adult novel published as well as several short stories included in the New York Times bestselling Small Miracles series. A graduate of UW-Madison, Liza has two married sons and lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with her husband, Jim. Website , Twitter , Instagram , Facebook  

The Assignment

• By Liza Wiemer
• Delacorte Press
• Reviewed by Caroline Bock
• October 9, 2020

Would you emulate a Nazi if the teacher told you to? Would your friends?

This is your assignment: Read The Assignment by Liza Wiemer. More importantly, have your teenagers and their teachers read it.

This YA novel was inspired by a real-life high school class in which students were made to roleplay Nazis and others at the 1942 Wannsee Conference, the infamous WWII meeting where the Final Solution was debated and agreed upon. Wiemer takes this jumping-off point and develops it into a gripping tale full of characters who spring to life.

The novel is set at Riviere High School in an upper-middle-class, fictional New York town with few or no Jewish families or people of color. Hockey, the prom, and grades are what matter to these kids, most of whom have been in class together since kindergarten.

Mr. Bartley, a beloved teacher who likes to bring the past alive, assigns students in his History of World Governments class to argue either for the extermination of the Jews or for the implementation of sterilization, ghettos, and work camps. Students assigned to be Nazis must “research and analyze five reasons supporting your position of a Final Solution of the Jewish Question.”

While The Assignment is narrated from multiple points of view, Cade’s voice takes center stage. His grandparents are immigrants from Poland, and he remembers stories of how they witnessed atrocities against the Jews in their hometown, and of how his grandfather hid his Jewish friend, Yankel, on his farm. Not surprisingly, he struggles with the assignment.

Cade and his peers are bright students who know of the Muslim Uighurs in China held in concentration camps and the Charlottesville march by white supremacists. They are aware of Confederate flags and decals displayed on some of their all-American neighbors’ houses and pickup trucks. Yet not all of them balk at the task they’re given.

Still, after one teen jokingly raises his hand in a Nazi salute and calls out “Heil Hitler,” Mr. Bartley admonishes him:

“Let me be clear. I am not asking you to be sympathetic to the Nazis. Quite the opposite. This is a serious examination of a historical event. Let’s learn from this moment and be respectful.”

But Cade and his best friend, Logan, are extremely uncomfortable with the assignment. Will they be able to take a stand against their teacher and peers?

The cinematic scene in which they push back against classroom authority and refuse to participate is one that left this reader cheering. In it, Mr. Bartley insists that, in role-playing Nazis, students are simply like actors in a movie. These lines, which end the short chapter, are from Cade’s point of view and illustrate that he and Logan feel differently:

“Logan’s lips part, but no sounds come out. I press my arm against hers. She’s trembling. I look at Mr. Bartley. ‘Fine,’ I say. ‘I’ll take an F.’ And I follow Logan out the door.”

Some other students also push back, but not all. An alternative assignment is offered, although the original still stands. Word soon gets out, the media becomes involved, and the community’s emotions run high. Swastikas appear. Tempers flare.

And at home, longstanding, closely held family secrets are shared that raise the stakes even higher for Cade. Long-ago revelations expressed by his grandmother add an authentic, heartbreaking element to the story.

But it’s the voices and actions of the students who take a stand for what they believe in that truly make The Assignment a must-read.

Caroline Bock’s debut short-story collection, Carry Her Home , was winner of the 2018 Fiction Award from the Washington Writers’ Publishing House. It is now available on Audible and iTunes. She is also the author of the young-adult novels LIE and Before My Eyes .

Support the Independent by purchasing this title via our affliate links: Amazon.com Or through Bookshop.org

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The Assignment Hardcover – August 25, 2020

Purchase options and add-ons.

• Reading age 12 years and up
• Print length 336 pages
• Language English
• Grade level 7 - 9
• Lexile measure HL720L
• Dimensions 5.88 x 1.1 x 8.56 inches
• Publisher Delacorte Press
• Publication date August 25, 2020
• ISBN-10 0593123166
• ISBN-13 978-0593123164
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About the author, excerpt. © reprinted by permission. all rights reserved..

Are we supposed to pretend we’re Nazis? The second Mr. Bartley turns his back to our class, I lean over to my best friend, Cade, and whisper, “What do you think?” I tap the assignment on my desk. 

He lifts his hands, palms up, mirroring my confusion. “Weird, right?” He says it a little too loudly, drawing Mr. Bartley’s attention. 

I nod, face forward, and refocus on the assignment. I read it one more time, hoping that somehow I’ve misunderstood the instructions. 

TOP-SECRET 

MEMO TO: Senior Members of the Nazi Party 

FROM: SS General Reinhard Heydrich, Chief of the Reich Main Security Office 

SUBJECT: A FINAL SOLUTION OF THE JEWISH QUESTION: Your attendance is required for this critical meeting scheduled for 20 January 1942 at the Wannsee Villa in Berlin, Germany. 

PURPOSE: As members of Hitler’s elite Nazi leadership, our purpose is to debate a Final Solution of the Jewish Question and to share perspectives on how to resolve the storage problem of Europe’s eleven million Jews. 

POSITIONS: 

Pro: Extermination 

Con: Sterilization, ghettos, work camps 

WHAT TO PREPARE FOR THE MEETING: As a Nazi, you must thoroughly research and analyze five reasons supporting your position of a Final Solution of the Jewish Question. 

a. The Nuremberg Laws 

b. Attitudes on religion and race 

c. Our policies on education, including who may attend or teach at primary and secondary schools and universities 

d. Economics, including our perspective on who has the right to own businesses and property 

e. Our leader’s stance on Darwin and survival of the fittest 

f. How to increase our superior Aryan race by exploring key ideas such as emigration expulsion, evacuation, and eradication to be judenrein (Jew-free) 

Note from Mr. Bartley: 

The Wannsee Conference was one of the most pivotal historical moments that had a destructive force on humanity in the twentieth century, one that continues to leave a profound mark on society today. As you complete the research for this assignment, it is important for you to know that the goal is not to garner support or elicit sympathy for the Nazi perspective. It is, however, imperative for you to understand the Nazi mentality, even if it makes you uncomfortable and is diametrically against your moral, ethical, and philosophical beliefs. Researching this historical meeting and your side of the debate allows you to broaden your points of view and develop critical thinking skills.

I flip the page, read through the requirements for our papers and how we’re going to be graded on the debate. My stomach somersaults. Get an A by successfully debating reasons to put Jews in gas chambers versus torture them, starve them, force them to be slave laborers for profit until they’re dead. Either way, Mr. Bartley is asking us to advocate for murder. 

Everything in my body screams, This is so wrong! But do I say it to Mr. Bartley? Looking at the other sixteen seniors in our class, I don’t see anyone other than Cade who seems uncomfortable with this assignment. 

“One more minute,” Mr. Bartley calls out. “Then I’ll answer questions.” 

I have a question. Is this a sick joke? I can’t bring myself to ask it out loud. Mr. Bartley isn’t any teacher. He’s a great teacher, my favorite teacher. 

He must have a reason why he wants us to be pretend we’re Nazis. I reread his note. It makes me more than uncomfortable. For the first time ever, I’m tempted to get out of class by asking to go to the girls’ bathroom or the nurse’s office. I could say I have a pounding headache. Thanks to this assignment, I do. 

Mr. Bartley leans against his desk, and when he notices me staring at him, his warm smile fades. I pick up my pen and trace the blood-red “TOP-SECRET” that’s stamped on top of the memo. I don’t get it. Why would Mr. Bartley want us to keep this a secret? History of World Governments is the fourth class I’ve taken with him, and we’ve never had any assignment like this. 

Soon after Mr. Bartley started teaching at Riviere High School my sophomore year, he became our most popular teacher. He has the kind of smile that makes you know you’ve been seen, that you matter. During lunch and his free periods, his room is always filled with students. I’ve liked him for bringing in guest speakers, for taking us on field trips, showing movies, and letting us decorate his papered walls with quotes, facts, and pictures for every new unit. I love to contribute quotes. He makes history exciting, interesting, and challenging. 

I run my thumbpad over the silver bracelet my cousin Blair gave me for my seventeenth birthday and wonder what she would think of this assignment. I’m tempted to take a photo and text it to her, but I don’t want to get caught with my phone and have it taken away. 

Cade’s bouncing knee catches my attention. He writes in his notebook, then flashes it at me. He’s drawn an X over “Nazi” and written, “No. Freaking. Way!”

The Allies defeated Nazi Germany during World War II. Why would I want to pretend I’m a Nazi? Mr. Bartley wants us to broaden our points of view. Really? How is it possible anyone would think murdering millions of people was okay? It’s simple. Killing is wrong. Debate over. This is ridiculous. 

Despise barely describes how I feel about this class and I have no one to blame but myself. I let Logan rope me into taking it instead of Advanced Web Design so we could spend more time together before we graduate. I look at my best friend and know it’s worth it. She’s worth it.

But this assignment? 

It fills me with dread. My grandparents grew up in Poland and lived through World War II. Grandpa was fifteen at the end of the war. Nana was fourteen. They immigrated to the United States in the late 1960s. The one time I asked Nana about her family, she smiled and said, “I have you right here.” Then she pulled me into her arms and squeezed me tight. 

A memory returns to me. I was twelve. Nana and my parents were at church, and Grandpa and I were in his workshop. The smells of linseed oil and sawdust filled the air. We were elves, making puzzles for Santa to give to children on Christmas. As we sanded the pieces we’d cut from old drawers, I asked Grandpa what his life was like when he was my age. I remember Grandpa said he didn’t like to talk about it, that lots of bad things happened in Poland during the war. His expression grew solemn. His tone was firm. “Promise me you won’t ask Nana about her childhood, either. It will only upset her,” he said. 

We kept working, but then a little while later he said, “Other than your grandma, I haven’t told another soul about my life in Poland. Not even your mom. But you’re old enough to understand, and I’m growing old.” He paused. “The story might frighten you.” 

I said I didn’t care.  

I can’t quite remember. Something about watching his Jewish neighbors being rounded up by Nazis? I buried those stories when we buried Grandpa two months later. 

Mr. Bartley plants himself in front of Logan’s center row. A murmur goes through the room as if Mr. Bartley broke a silencing spell. He holds up a palm like he’s a crossing guard halting traffic, and it’s quiet again. “Questions?” he asks. 

Logan’s hand shoots up, but then she lowers it when Mr. Bartley aims his clicker at the Smart Board and brings up the assignment. 

Kerrianne Nelson gets called on. “I’m confused. The Final Solution of the Jewish Question. Do you mean the Holocaust?” 

Mr. Bartley says, “Exactly. The Final Solution was the plan and implementation of the Holocaust.” 

“Ah, okay. I thought so.” She smiles at her boyfriend, Mason Hayes, but he’s too busy picking at a thread on his hockey jersey to notice. When she sees me looking at her, she frowns. Like most of the people at our school, I’ve known Kerrianne since kindergarten. We always got along, but for some reason when Logan moved to Riviere and joined us in eighth grade, Kerrianne stopped sitting with us at lunch and started hanging out with the hockey players. 

“Question, Spencer?” This is a surprise. Like me, Spencer Davis never raises his hand in class. If Spencer talks, it’s to his hockey teammates or to the girls he deems worthy of his time and attention. He claims to have hooked up with at least a dozen. As if. Thank everything holy Logan isn’t one of them. 

“Can we get extra credit for dressing up for the debate?” 

I turn around to see if he’s serious. Oh yeah. Dead serious. 

Mr. Bartley says, “Although I appreciate your desire for authenticity, Spencer, that does not extend to dress. No uniforms for this debate.” 

Someone whispers, “Damn.” I glance around, but I can’t figure out who it was. 

“Excuse me, Mr. Bartley--” Logan breaks off when Mr. Bartley calls on someone else. 

He answers a question about citing sources, then another on the structure of our papers that are due the same day as the debate. Moving over to his desk, Mr. Bartley grabs a paper bag and shakes it. He says, “Each of you will draw a number--either a one or two. Call it out after you pick. Mason, you start.” 

When it’s my turn, I mumble, “One.” Logan says, “Two.” 

“All the ones will take the pro side. Twos will take con,” Mr. Bartley says. “You may work together to create your platform, but your paper must be your own. Your arguments should be based on the Wannsee Conference held on January 20, 1942. A week from this coming Monday we’ll transform our room into the Wannsee Villa and hold our own top-secret Nazi conference to debate how to handle the biggest threat to the Aryan race--the Jew.” 

The Jew. The way he said it makes my skin crawl. 

Mr. Bartley advances to the next PowerPoint slide. “These were the fifteen Nazi men who came together to address how to handle the storage problem of Europe’s eleven million Jews. Adolf Eichmann is in the center because he was instrumental in implementing the Final Solution. He oversaw the deportation of Jews from their homes to ghettos to death camps. Tomorrow, we’ll watch the movie Conspiracy, which reenacts the meeting with these men.” 

Men? More like monsters, I think. 

“The movie will be a good resource, but I highly recommend you get a jump start tonight on your research to support your arguments.” 

“But they--they’re . . . Nazis,” Logan stammers without raising her hand. 

Mr. Bartley’s stern expression cautions her not to speak out of turn again. “Yes, and your job is to understand their mentality. I know re-creating this debate is a challenge, but history is filled with many horrors and this is an impactful way to learn. Experience is always a great teacher.” Mr. Bartley smiles. “Unless you’d rather memorize dates and facts and take multiple-choice tests like I had to in my boring high school history classes.” 

The room erupts with groans and “No thank yous.” 

Once again, Mr. Bartley raises a hand to quiet us down. “All right then. Back to the Wannsee Conference.” He goes through several more slides. My eyes meet Logan’s, and then hers dart over my shoulder. 

She gasps. I twist in my seat to see why Logan’s freaked out and my mouth drops open.

Jesse Elton stands and snaps his feet together. He lifts his right arm and salutes like a Nazi. “Heil Hitler,” he calls out. 

Several people laugh, and Jesse gives them an appreciative grin. Cade’s stunned expression matches mine. Does everyone else find that funny? I look around. Revulsion flashes across Daniel Riggs’s face, but it disappears so quickly that I question whether it was there to begin with. 

Spencer holds out his fist to Jesse, then mimics the salute and says, “Seig Heil. Hail victory.” 

This can’t be happening here, in my favorite class with my favorite teacher. 

And just as I wonder if Mr. Bartley is going to do something, he walks over to Spencer and Jesse. His tone is sharp as a blade cutting through metal. “Those actions are inappropriate. This isn’t a joke and you are never to make light of the Nazi salute and the hate it represents. I expect you to take this assignment seriously.” 

Jesse drops his gaze, but not his smirk. Spencer shrugs his shoulders and looks at Mason, the RHS varsity hockey team captain and my biggest rival for valedictorian. Jesse and Spencer are his guys, his teammates, and for one second I hold out hope that maybe Mason will be the leader he’s supposed to be, to say something, do something--even a look of disapproval. But he’s not looking at them. He’s not looking at anyone. He’s picking at a stupid thread on his jersey. 

Another teammate, Reginald Ashford, however, shoots daggers from across the room at Spencer and Jesse. The muscle in his jaw tics. He’s pissed. Good. There’s always been a bit of a rivalry between Mason and Reg, and now I can’t help but think Reg should have been team captain instead of the coach’s son. 

And then there’s Spencer. He shrugs his shoulders when he sees me glaring at him. Disgusted, I turn back in my seat. It hardly matters that Mr. Bartley reprimanded them. This assignment is a green light for these guys to act like Nazis. I don’t know if I’m more disappointed with Mr. Bartley or with Spencer and Jesse. Definitely Mr. Bartley. I don’t get why he thinks it’s a good idea to promote fascism by having us do an immoral debate. 

Mr. Bartley says, “Let me be clear. I am not asking you to be sympathetic to the Nazis. Quite the opposite. This is a serious examination of a historical event. Let’s learn from this moment and remember to be respectful.” He looks pointedly at Jesse and Spencer. 

“By examining these perspectives, this assignment gives you the opportunity to discuss and present a topic that will force you out of your comfort zone. Why is this important? It’s important because there will be plenty of times in your life when you’ll be in a situation where people will express ideas existentially and philosophically opposed to your own. It happens every day on the internet. You’ll face it on your college campuses.” Mr. Bartley looks at me. “The point is to understand all sides and be prepared to debate. I promise, after you complete this work, you’ll have a better grasp on how to create and present compelling arguments.” 

“But, Mr. Bartley--” 

He goes all traffic cop on me and I close my mouth. “Let me finish, Logan.”

Product details

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Delacorte Press (August 25, 2020)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 336 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0593123166
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0593123164
• Reading age ‏ : ‎ 12 years and up
• Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ HL720L
• Grade level ‏ : ‎ 7 - 9
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15.6 ounces
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.88 x 1.1 x 8.56 inches
• #301 in Teen & Young Adult Fiction about Values & Virtues (Books)
• #735 in Teen & Young Adult Fiction on Prejudice & Racism
• #3,847 in Teen & Young Adult Social Issues

About the author

Liza m. wiemer.

Liza Wiemer is an award-winning educator. She is the author of two adult non-fiction books and has contributed four short stories to the NYTBS Small Miracles Series. Her debut YA novel, HELLO?, was named a Goodreads Best YA Book of the Month. THE ASSIGNMENT has received 11 honors, including being named a Sydney Taylor Notable Book.

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Customers find the writing style very well written, interesting, and thought-provoking. They also describe the content as great, fast-paced, riveting, and hopeful. Readers also say the emotional intensity makes the book powerful and takes them on a courageous moral journey.

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Customers find the book a great novel on the importance of standing against all types of racism. They also say the premise grabbed them right away and the story is immensely relatable to current times. Readers also say there are many opportunities for an intense discussion about how this situation can be resolved. They say the book is an excellent starting point for a discussion on racism, and a fast-paced plot.

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"...THE ASSIGNMENT was smart and scary and hopeful too, with a fast-paced plot that made it impossible to put the story down as it delivered a crucial..." Read more

"A powerful, fast-paced, contemporary story about two high school seniors who dare to protest the ethical and moral basis of a history paper assigned..." Read more

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"...Maybe the best part of THE ASSIGNMENT is how organically the messages of love , courage and kindness are conveyed, how realistic the challenges..." Read more

"...It's important. It's relevant. It's emotional. It's meaningful . This outstanding realistic book will stay with me forever...." Read more

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Customers find the writing style very well written, interesting, and beautifully crafted. They also say it's a must read for every person.

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"...It was very well written , very interesting, very thought-provoking, and based on a true story! The author did a great job with this book!" Read more

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Customers find the emotional intensity of the book powerful.

"Captivating, powerful , important story for our times. A must-read for kids and their grown-ups!" Read more

"A powerful , fast-paced, contemporary story about two high school seniors who dare to protest the ethical and moral basis of a history paper assigned..." Read more

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Customers find the moral themes in the book courageous, and appreciate the importance of compassion, acceptance, and humanity.

"...is how organically the messages of love, courage and kindness are conveyed , how realistic the challenges presented were—this isn’t a book that..." Read more

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Customers find the pacing of the book fast.

"A powerful, fast-paced , contemporary story about two high school seniors who dare to protest the ethical and moral basis of a history paper assigned..." Read more

"...Her topic is extremely timely and necessary. It refers to this book which cannot be promoted on tedx.A must watch!!THE BOOK..." Read more

"...to combat hate is a very strong message, which this book delivers in a straightforward , well-written story...." Read more

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The Assignment

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Liza Wiemer

Award-winning author, educator, and public speaker.

• The Story Behind THE ASSIGNMENT
• THE ASSIGNMENT – Curriculum Guides and Teacher Info

Out and About: A Tale of Giving

• Life Imitates Art
• Visit HELLO? Sites
• Contributor to Small Miracles from Beyond
• Contributor to Small Miracles of the Holocaust
• Waiting for Peace
• Extraordinary Guidance
• Author Visits
• Curriculum Guides

Award-Winning Author, Educator, TEDxTalk Presenter

Since August 2020, she has conducted over 600 workshops and talks.

A few of Liza’s speaking engagements.

92nd Street Y, Greater Rochester Teen Read Author for 2023, Las Vegas Jewish Book Festival Featured Author, Keynote Speaker, Allentown Women’s Philanthropy, Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens , Facing History and Ourselves, 2024-2025 Author-in-Residence for the Jewish Library of Baltimore, Keynote AISLE Conference, Panelist for NCTE 2021, 2022, 2023, Speaker: Purdue University, Ackerman Center for Democratic Citizenship  Purdue University College of Education, Workshop Leader for Teachers: Montgomery County School District, Maryland, Speaker for Limmud Australia and New Zealand

On Sale Now

In this inspiring picture book, we follow Daniel as he tries to find out where his parents are going and what’s inside the mysterious boxes they’re carrying. Daniel’s imagination runs wild―could there be a new baseball and glove inside? A giant birthday cake? A new toy car? As it turns out Daniel learns much more than what’s in those boxes-―he learns the true meaning of giving. This universal message is a beautiful way to share Jewish traditions with all readers.

A note explains the concept of Tzedakah and addresses what it means to give and how to give in a way to respect those we want to help.

Boswell Books, signed copies

Barnes and Noble

The Assignment

OPTIONED FOR FILM: Screenplay Completed

In the vein of the classic the wave and inspired by a real-life incident, this riveting novel explores discrimination and antisemitism and reveals their dangerous impact..

2024 Lincoln Award Nominee 2022/2023 Georgia Book Award Nominee Free Little Library “Read in Color” Recommended Read TAYSHAS Recommended Read (Texas Library Association) State of Illinois “Read for a Lifetime” Book A Bank Street College of Education Best Book of the Year 2022 Sakura Medal Award Nominee Sydney Taylor Book Award Notable for Young Adults Wisconsin State Reading Association Recommended Young Adult Novel Nerdy Book Club Best YA Fiction Novel YALSA/ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults Nominee Milwaukee County Teen Honor Book

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Available to speak for book clubs, schools, organizations, TV, and radio.

Praise for the assignment and hello.

LIZA WIEMER

(Pronounced Leeza Weemer)

Liza Wiemer is an award-winning educator with over twenty years of teaching experience. Her second young adult novel, The Assignment , was published by Delacorte Press and has received numerous honors, including being named a 2021 Sydney Taylor Notable Book. To date, The Assignment has also been published in Russian, Polish, Italian, and Korean. Hello? , her debut contemporary YA novel, was named a Goodreads Best Young Adult Novel of the Month. In addition, Liza has had two adult nonfiction books published and several short stories included in the New York Times bestselling Small Miracles series. She has had articles published in various newspapers and magazines and writes a monthly kidlit column for the Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle. Liza received the honor of being named one of " The Top 100 People Positively Influencing Jewish Life, 2021 " by the Algemeiner. A graduate of UW-Madison, Liza has two married sons and lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with her husband, Jim.