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They Cage the Animals at Night: The True Story of an Abandoned Child's Struggle for Emotional Survival
Burch was left at an orphanage and never stayed at any one foster home long enough to make any friends. This is the story of how he grew up and gained the courage to reach out for love.
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1984
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15523 people want to read
About the author
Jennings Michael Burch
2 books68 followersJennings Michael Burch (April 27, 1941 – January 15, 2013) was an American writer and author of the 1984 best-selling autobiography They Cage the Animals at Night.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 827 reviews
December 12, 2023
Caging More Than Just Animals
Interestingly enough, we got to read this in middle school. We also got to keep the books that were assigned to us. I still remember certain scenes where Jennings, the narrator, and the author of this autobiographical novel either received amazing amounts of love or terrible amounts of abuse.
Set in the 1950s, in New York City and its environs, we get the unforgettable account of a few years of Jennings's childhood. With his mother too tired, sick, and beaten down to care for him and his brothers, he is shipped off several times to either foster homes or to orphanages. Early in the book we meet his constant friend, Doggie, a white and tan stuffed animal that was given to him, (at first) only at night, at the first home he stayed at. Each night the nuns would come around and collect the animals, caging them in little cubbies. This metaphor grows into the entire essence of the book. Through hardship, pain, emotional rampage, Jennings learns that stuffed animals are not the only things that are caged for protection.
The orphans are locked up during the night and also during the day. Forced to listen for a clicker to get them to line up for dinner or a clap of the hands to get them to line up for lunch. The orphanages were sometimes a blessing in comparison to the homes Jennings is lent out to, where he learns that love and compassion are hard to find, even if they can be found anywhere. He cages up his ability to say that he loves anyone. There are times when there is much love in the world and Jennings cannot bear to find it in him to speak the words because if he does, if he lets them escape, just like the stuffed animals or the orphans, he might get doubly hurt. The cruelty that he finds in the world seems to confirm his need to lock himself up into himself. Yet, Jennings is a child of firm compassion. He is rarely judgmental and often very accepting and docile to the harsh world he has been thrown into. Often he cries, but rarely retaliates. He is resourceful and a master of escapism through his ever-trusty friend, Doggie, and through his own mind. The young boy cannot find much solace, even at home, as conditions go from worse to hellish. Each page makes it seem like the world might fall apart for our narrator.
Although much of the depth of the story was lost to me on a childhood level, reading it again brought out much more from the pages. It's a story of love for those around you and a story of overcoming overwhelming odds. There is triumph and defeat at every paragraph. A roller coaster of pain and joy.
I got to meet Jennings Michael Burch. I was in middle school, we had finished the book, and he came to speak with us. I remember our teacher telling us to speak up and to speak clearly because Jennings, due to old age and being boxed on the ears so many times by individuals in the story, could hardly hear.
This old man came shuffling within. He was balding and in a thick sweater vest over his button down shirt. We were silent as we watched years of suffering and hardship settle into a seat the teacher provided for him. Our teacher introduced us to him and we said 'hello' in unison. He smiled slightly, lowered his eyes to a duffel bag he had with him, and opened it silently. Out of it he produced Doggie, thread-bare, discolored, but still with him, his constant companion.
Interestingly enough, we got to read this in middle school. We also got to keep the books that were assigned to us. I still remember certain scenes where Jennings, the narrator, and the author of this autobiographical novel either received amazing amounts of love or terrible amounts of abuse.
Set in the 1950s, in New York City and its environs, we get the unforgettable account of a few years of Jennings's childhood. With his mother too tired, sick, and beaten down to care for him and his brothers, he is shipped off several times to either foster homes or to orphanages. Early in the book we meet his constant friend, Doggie, a white and tan stuffed animal that was given to him, (at first) only at night, at the first home he stayed at. Each night the nuns would come around and collect the animals, caging them in little cubbies. This metaphor grows into the entire essence of the book. Through hardship, pain, emotional rampage, Jennings learns that stuffed animals are not the only things that are caged for protection.
The orphans are locked up during the night and also during the day. Forced to listen for a clicker to get them to line up for dinner or a clap of the hands to get them to line up for lunch. The orphanages were sometimes a blessing in comparison to the homes Jennings is lent out to, where he learns that love and compassion are hard to find, even if they can be found anywhere. He cages up his ability to say that he loves anyone. There are times when there is much love in the world and Jennings cannot bear to find it in him to speak the words because if he does, if he lets them escape, just like the stuffed animals or the orphans, he might get doubly hurt. The cruelty that he finds in the world seems to confirm his need to lock himself up into himself. Yet, Jennings is a child of firm compassion. He is rarely judgmental and often very accepting and docile to the harsh world he has been thrown into. Often he cries, but rarely retaliates. He is resourceful and a master of escapism through his ever-trusty friend, Doggie, and through his own mind. The young boy cannot find much solace, even at home, as conditions go from worse to hellish. Each page makes it seem like the world might fall apart for our narrator.
Although much of the depth of the story was lost to me on a childhood level, reading it again brought out much more from the pages. It's a story of love for those around you and a story of overcoming overwhelming odds. There is triumph and defeat at every paragraph. A roller coaster of pain and joy.
I got to meet Jennings Michael Burch. I was in middle school, we had finished the book, and he came to speak with us. I remember our teacher telling us to speak up and to speak clearly because Jennings, due to old age and being boxed on the ears so many times by individuals in the story, could hardly hear.
This old man came shuffling within. He was balding and in a thick sweater vest over his button down shirt. We were silent as we watched years of suffering and hardship settle into a seat the teacher provided for him. Our teacher introduced us to him and we said 'hello' in unison. He smiled slightly, lowered his eyes to a duffel bag he had with him, and opened it silently. Out of it he produced Doggie, thread-bare, discolored, but still with him, his constant companion.
January 17, 2013
I can't, with this book. I literally can't.
The writing isn't perfect, and the character's voice wavers between an innocent, naive 9 year old and someone who is much, much older. It works sometimes, because someone who's been through his experiences will be older beyond his years. It just seemed at times the author was trying to include that "out of the mouth of babes, incredibly insightful" voice. However, I did appreciate that no one was really cast as the "bad guy," because everyone in his family was just trying to survive. Whether he recognized that on some level during his childhood or realized it later in life, it was nice to include here.
That being said, those flaws don't take away from the amazing story this book tells. It is heartbreaking to read of Jenning's history, and all you want to do is take him home and protect him. Sadly enough, although this book describes the foster system over 60 years ago, not much has changed. Children are still abandoned and crowded into institutions, and adults still take children for no other reason than the money the state offers. This story is sad, and pathetic, and makes me wonder how we can claim to live in a civilized, advanced society when we still have children who are terrified, abused, and starving every day. Luckily, the book also shows how much of a difference a single person can be in a kid's life. That person doesn't have to have any sort of special training or knowledge, they just have to be caring and open and willing to step up and take responsibility. The world needs more Sals. Aside from the basics of life, kids need love and safety more than anything else. My heart breaks for the millions of children who don't have that. Good on Jennings for overcoming an impossible situation and having the courage to talk about it.
The writing isn't perfect, and the character's voice wavers between an innocent, naive 9 year old and someone who is much, much older. It works sometimes, because someone who's been through his experiences will be older beyond his years. It just seemed at times the author was trying to include that "out of the mouth of babes, incredibly insightful" voice. However, I did appreciate that no one was really cast as the "bad guy," because everyone in his family was just trying to survive. Whether he recognized that on some level during his childhood or realized it later in life, it was nice to include here.
That being said, those flaws don't take away from the amazing story this book tells. It is heartbreaking to read of Jenning's history, and all you want to do is take him home and protect him. Sadly enough, although this book describes the foster system over 60 years ago, not much has changed. Children are still abandoned and crowded into institutions, and adults still take children for no other reason than the money the state offers. This story is sad, and pathetic, and makes me wonder how we can claim to live in a civilized, advanced society when we still have children who are terrified, abused, and starving every day. Luckily, the book also shows how much of a difference a single person can be in a kid's life. That person doesn't have to have any sort of special training or knowledge, they just have to be caring and open and willing to step up and take responsibility. The world needs more Sals. Aside from the basics of life, kids need love and safety more than anything else. My heart breaks for the millions of children who don't have that. Good on Jennings for overcoming an impossible situation and having the courage to talk about it.
July 5, 2016
Insightful, Touching, Eye Opening, Heartbreaking & Mesmerizing! A Courageous Read! I Loved It!
December 13, 2012
They Cage the Animals at Night is the inspiring story of a young boy's childhood life. The boys name is Jennings Michael Burch. His mother gets very sick and sends Jennings and his 4 brothers into foster homes and orphanages. Follow Jennings through his childhood as he deals with poverty, sickness, and unfairness. Two of his brothers are drunks, Larry and George. His other brother, Walter, is too busy studying and doing school work, he cannot take care of Jennings. And his final brother, Jerome, is very ill and is in the hospital. Jennings has no one to take care of him. So he goes in and out of orphanages and foster homes.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a good, inspiring, sad story but that also one has many upsides to it. I read this story because I found it interesting and I think you will too. I found this book to be a page turner, I always wanted to find out what happened next. This story made me realize how lucky I was to have a real family, it also made me realize that I don't really live a tough life at all. That's why I gave this book 5 stars out of 5. It changed the way I thought of life.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a good, inspiring, sad story but that also one has many upsides to it. I read this story because I found it interesting and I think you will too. I found this book to be a page turner, I always wanted to find out what happened next. This story made me realize how lucky I was to have a real family, it also made me realize that I don't really live a tough life at all. That's why I gave this book 5 stars out of 5. It changed the way I thought of life.
September 6, 2012
I absolutely love this memoir. I read it for my Honors 9 English class as a summer assignment and at first I was really bummed because I thought it would be so boring. Well, it's not. It made me realize what's important and to be grateful for everything and everyone in my life. I definitely think everyone should read it.
July 2, 2024
super sad especially cuz it’s true i thought it was a bit slow at some parts though
poor jennings deserved better 🩵
October 6, 2010
It's a true story thats really shocking,The book “ They Cage The Animal At Night” is a very sad and depressing book(I cried). It talks about a little boy named Jennings Michael Burch. He is a little boy who was left by his mother at an orphanage. He is 8 years old, curly red hair, white with freckles. Also while he was their at the orphanage he was being teased and laughed at by all the other boys in their. It took place mostly in a small room in the orphanage, very plain gloomy feeling , cramped with other kids. He never spends enough time at any one of them to make a friend but clings to a stuffed animal which is his only reminder of love in the world. It is one and only book I ever read that I actually read cause of its interesting true features it had of a kid surviving on its own.
The central conflict is, I am amusing its man vs society because he was being thrown from foster homes to foster homes and nobody ever wanted him. The theme of the story is just pretty much depressing over all and somewhat is a cold gloomy feeling in some parts of the story.
I would recommend this book to first time advanced readers because it gives them the true feeling of being a surviver at such a young age. I give it 3 thumbs ways up. So all you readers out their read this book I guarantee you will like it.
The central conflict is, I am amusing its man vs society because he was being thrown from foster homes to foster homes and nobody ever wanted him. The theme of the story is just pretty much depressing over all and somewhat is a cold gloomy feeling in some parts of the story.
I would recommend this book to first time advanced readers because it gives them the true feeling of being a surviver at such a young age. I give it 3 thumbs ways up. So all you readers out their read this book I guarantee you will like it.
February 1, 2019
How can anyone survive and thrive this upbringing?
October 9, 2025
A short, but by no means easy, read. The situations that this young man encountered are nearly impossible to believe, but the details and the emotions presented make it clear that he did experience all this trauma. Shining a light on the abuses that the system allowed had, we presume, the effect of sweeping away some of the bad actors involved. If not, god help the kids who followed this author in the foster care system. There were a few bright spots in his life, or else this story would’ve been unbearably grim. Still there were misty-eyed parts for me, and others will probably cry openly for him. His introduction showed us that he survived reasonably intact, and his epilogue gave us a bit of relief regarding his family members. But I still couldn’t help hoping that his life smoothed out as an adult, as it deserved to be after this horrific childhood.
August 11, 2023
Heartbreaking. A very honest voice.
August 7, 2022
This was so beautiful
December 31, 2023
This was an amazing book 😫 reminder of how equally horrible and amazing people can be..
Glad to end off the year with this book 🥹🥹🥹
I’ll forever be thinking about Jennings… and mark 😫
Glad to end off the year with this book 🥹🥹🥹
I’ll forever be thinking about Jennings… and mark 😫
June 28, 2024
childhood favorite. wrote a book report on this back in elementary
February 28, 2010
They Cage the Animals at Night, written by Jennings Michael Burch, is one of the many abuse-related books that I have read, and this one, like the Dave Pelzer series, is one of my favorites. The first time I read this book, I was still a tween, and rereading the book now, five years later, I understand it more deeply. By understanding the main points of the book, I paid more attention to other aspects of this heart-throbbing book. For example, I explored the emotions that the protagonist, little Jennings M. Burch, has as he moves around from foster care to foster care.
Little 8 years old Jennings Michael Burch is always facing separation, which is traumatic for him since the main reason he is in foster care is due to the abandonment of his mother, Rita Catherine Hogan Burch on a rainy day in 1949. It soon becomes hard for him to Stability is a word Burch is far away from, because as a child, he never received it. As the plot drives forward, you will soon see that there is always hope, and that hope was given to Jennings from Sal.
This book consists of 300 pages, and in these pages, each consists of different mood changes that we feel along with the protagonist himself; from lonesomeness to separation and at times the urge to fly into the book and just save him from all the hurt he is going through. Throughout the book, we feel close to Jennings, being able to picture him in the dark and organized beds of the orphanage and the only company he has is his blanket.
This book would definitely become a favorite to those that take the time to read it. It is a book that I would read over countless of times, and rarely do I like to reread books. This one is worth analyzing.
Little 8 years old Jennings Michael Burch is always facing separation, which is traumatic for him since the main reason he is in foster care is due to the abandonment of his mother, Rita Catherine Hogan Burch on a rainy day in 1949. It soon becomes hard for him to Stability is a word Burch is far away from, because as a child, he never received it. As the plot drives forward, you will soon see that there is always hope, and that hope was given to Jennings from Sal.
This book consists of 300 pages, and in these pages, each consists of different mood changes that we feel along with the protagonist himself; from lonesomeness to separation and at times the urge to fly into the book and just save him from all the hurt he is going through. Throughout the book, we feel close to Jennings, being able to picture him in the dark and organized beds of the orphanage and the only company he has is his blanket.
This book would definitely become a favorite to those that take the time to read it. It is a book that I would read over countless of times, and rarely do I like to reread books. This one is worth analyzing.
December 12, 2013
I have just remembered this book right now. I remember that it was a really great inspiring book and it was just when he was a-little boy:( I know that I cried in this book.
I remember reading this book in either 8th grade or 7th and the whole grade got to meet Jennings. He looked really old with blondish grayish hair, I think, I don't remember much details but we got to ask questions and he first told us his life story when he was little.
The little boy on the cover isn't him, they used a different boy cause Jennings wasn't little at the time he was writing the book. But pretty much, the whole events in the book happened to Jennings, which I thought was very terrible and sad for someone to go through all that:(
I'll admit, I was happy, I got to meet Jennings, because about 7 people were picked to actually go up to him and talk before it all started, which I thought was cool, kind of like a V.I.P kind of thing. But at the same time, I was feeling sad and terrible for him because they all(the other kids mentioned in the book), didn't deserve it. Life is really not fair:(
oh yea, and he had his teddy bear with him and all 7 of us got to touch it and see it, I couldn't believe it, he had the teddy bear all these years. The teddy bear wasn't in good condition(of-course). Jennings showed the teddy bear to the crowd, but they didn't get to look at it closely or feel it, like we did, which I thought was cool, like an insider thing, cause we were the only ones that actually got to feel it. It was a really cool and sad experience^_^¥_¥ If I didn't move, I probably would have went to Dolan, and never would have went to TOR(Turn of River), read the book and meet Jennings^_^¥_¥ I have to give it 5 stars^_^¥_¥
I remember reading this book in either 8th grade or 7th and the whole grade got to meet Jennings. He looked really old with blondish grayish hair, I think, I don't remember much details but we got to ask questions and he first told us his life story when he was little.
The little boy on the cover isn't him, they used a different boy cause Jennings wasn't little at the time he was writing the book. But pretty much, the whole events in the book happened to Jennings, which I thought was very terrible and sad for someone to go through all that:(
I'll admit, I was happy, I got to meet Jennings, because about 7 people were picked to actually go up to him and talk before it all started, which I thought was cool, kind of like a V.I.P kind of thing. But at the same time, I was feeling sad and terrible for him because they all(the other kids mentioned in the book), didn't deserve it. Life is really not fair:(
oh yea, and he had his teddy bear with him and all 7 of us got to touch it and see it, I couldn't believe it, he had the teddy bear all these years. The teddy bear wasn't in good condition(of-course). Jennings showed the teddy bear to the crowd, but they didn't get to look at it closely or feel it, like we did, which I thought was cool, like an insider thing, cause we were the only ones that actually got to feel it. It was a really cool and sad experience^_^¥_¥ If I didn't move, I probably would have went to Dolan, and never would have went to TOR(Turn of River), read the book and meet Jennings^_^¥_¥ I have to give it 5 stars^_^¥_¥
August 14, 2018
A touching, heartbreaking story that captivated me from start to finish. I could not stop thinking about the cast of characters that walked into and out of (and often, back into) Jennings’ life, especially his five brothers, his sixth ‘brother’ Mark, Sal, Martha, and Stacy. This book definitely made me feel a whirlwind of emotions–it’s one I’m sure I won’t be able to get out of my head for a long time–and made me realize how many children are so alone and desperately in need of love in this world.
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“Doesn’t everyone who has something to give owe a little to those in need? He just needs a little time, and I have it.”
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“Doesn’t everyone who has something to give owe a little to those in need? He just needs a little time, and I have it.”
October 17, 2012
I wish I could tell you why They Cage The Animals At Night popped into my head tonight, of all nights. I read this book probably 20 years ago, when I was a small child myself. I feel that I need to read this book again to perhaps gain more insight than I did as a child. But from what I do remember of the book, it's this:
Jennings was bounced in and out of orphanages & homes
At one orphanage, they had stuffed animals, but they were taken away (caged) each night
Doggie was his companion who was caged each night
Doggie came with him everywhere afterwards - the only one who could and did.
I remember there was sadness, darkness, and yet light at the end. I'd like to reread this book and give a truer, clearer review & opinion. If nothing else, I can offer this -
This book was able to climb out of my memories and touch me, 20 years later, and make me want to read it again. Can you honestly give a better review than that?
Jennings was bounced in and out of orphanages & homes
At one orphanage, they had stuffed animals, but they were taken away (caged) each night
Doggie was his companion who was caged each night
Doggie came with him everywhere afterwards - the only one who could and did.
I remember there was sadness, darkness, and yet light at the end. I'd like to reread this book and give a truer, clearer review & opinion. If nothing else, I can offer this -
This book was able to climb out of my memories and touch me, 20 years later, and make me want to read it again. Can you honestly give a better review than that?
May 6, 2018
I didn't care for the book because it is not my type of book but I do know that many other people loved this book more than I did. I know that this was based on a real life event but I like fiction books more. The story was based on Jennings Michael Burch and his child hood and what he went through. Jennings meet great life long friends and some that are not life long. Jennings family had rough edges and that caused Jennings to go into the foster care system.
The main characters in the book are Mark, Sal, Doggie, Jennings, and his family. Theses character are my favorite ones than the other characters. The author Jennings Michael Burch did do a good job at writing the book than other authors I have read. This book does show harsh things that happened to kids in foster care and how some places just are not for kids.
The main characters in the book are Mark, Sal, Doggie, Jennings, and his family. Theses character are my favorite ones than the other characters. The author Jennings Michael Burch did do a good job at writing the book than other authors I have read. This book does show harsh things that happened to kids in foster care and how some places just are not for kids.
March 1, 2016
This is one of my favorite books of all time. It is a true story about the struggles of a young boy as he is sent to various foster homes, boys' homes, and other awful places. He strength is inspirational. I like this book because it is a true story. Have some tissues ready, this book will make you cry!
September 27, 2019
I first read this in elementary school and have reread it so many times and its definitely one of my favorite books to this day. It was touching, heartbreaking, and so much more!!! The fact that its based off of a true story is shocking, but I would/and have recommended to friends.
December 11, 2020
They Cage the Animals at Night was a sorrowful story of Jennings Michael. They Cage the Animals at Night was based upon a true story of 8-year-old Jennings moving in and out of foster care homes. Jennings was left at his first home "Home of the Angles" when he was 8, he was cared for by crude nuns once his mother had left him. Through his journey, he learns not to make friends with the other children, mainly because no one ever knew if or when someone would be chosen to leave. But Jennings finds comfort in a stuffed dog toy, he sleeps with it every night while at “Home of Angles.” The use of personification really shows you how much Jennings relied on the stuffed animal to keep him calm during the lonely nights. The also includes informal language between the kids at the orphanage and the foster parents Jennings encounters really shows detail and perspective. This book is rich in emotional pathos that will leave your heart aching. They Cage the Animals at night is a story full of repetition when it comes to the theme, never lose hope, or keep your head up.
In conclusion, the book includes great details and illustrations to look inside what it can be like for foster kids that go through orphanages and foster care homes with different people.
In conclusion, the book includes great details and illustrations to look inside what it can be like for foster kids that go through orphanages and foster care homes with different people.
December 19, 2024
I'm stuck with an infection in my mouth and sore teeth until my damn dentist gets back from vacation. In painful times like this, I read about people who had it a lot worse. This book helped distract me from my pain, although it is a difficult book to read, at times. All of the orphans and foster kids of New York City post WWII had to live through a system populated by a swarm of Nurse Ratcheds.
The most remarkable character isn't Our Protagonist Jennings, or any of the people he meets. It's his stuffed dog, Doggie. Goes to show that every person lets you down, but objects won't. Doggie reportedly stayed with Jennings for the rest of his life. He died in 2013.
The most remarkable character isn't Our Protagonist Jennings, or any of the people he meets. It's his stuffed dog, Doggie. Goes to show that every person lets you down, but objects won't. Doggie reportedly stayed with Jennings for the rest of his life. He died in 2013.
November 19, 2023
Powerful narrative about living in the foster care system. I listened to it, and the voice of the reader made me feel like I was listening to a little kid try to process everything that was happening to him.
This one will stay with me for awhile.
This one will stay with me for awhile.
July 23, 2025
This was a captivating story about the experiences of a boy whose mother really tries to keep him, but is unable to because of unforeseen circumstances. What a tale to tell of a life plagued by poverty. I would definitely recommend this book to others.
February 24, 2021
The experience of childhood is such an effect for how you do in life. The ups and downs are gut-wrenching but was part of what gave me a heart for fostering and adopting.
December 30, 2021
Sobbing… this book pulls at your heartstrings. A beautifully written autobiography through the eyes of a naive 9 year old. You must read this.
May 10, 2022
What a book!! Wow the journey he goes through, and the struggle he has is heartbreaking. I appreciate his willingness to open up about it and hope it can educate others about what these children had to endure. Wow...
September 7, 2023
Whoever has been recommending me books lately has been on a roll! Another 5 stars
March 2, 2024
The saddest book I ever read but still one the greatest.
March 23, 2024
The best autobiography I’ve ever read. I was sobbing at the end.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 827 reviews