http://www.EDUG573Fall2011 discussion

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Caddie Woodlawn written by Carol Ryrie Brink is an historical fiction novel set in Wisconsin in 1864. It is a wonderful story (mostly true, her real name was Caddie Woodhouse)about a girl who grew up with 2 brothers and shared in getting into scrapes with them,including interacting with indians. Many wonder if Caddie will ever become a young lady because she wishes that she could wear pants like boys and rough-house in the hay-mow. In parts, this story had me in tears at the struggles she undergoes as she begins to understand what it is to be a young "lady." The story is adventurous, heartwarming, and includes rich history of the era. I use this as a read aloud for 6th grade, but it could be adapted to 4 - 8. Thumbs WAY UP for Caddie!

Number the Stars, written by Lois Lowry, centers around the Holocaust in WWII. It was awarded the Newbery Medal in 1990 as the "most distinguished contribution to American literature for children." The story revolves around a ten-year-old girl, named Annemarie Johansen, who lived in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1943. Sadly she and her family were caught up in the rescue of Danish Jews. They all risked their lives to help Annemarie's best friend, Ellen Rosen, by pretending that Ellen is Annemarie's older sister. Annemarie's older sister had died earlier in the war because she was found working with the Danish Resistance. The story tells of the many close calls the Johansen's go through including finding out that either Ellen is Jewish or that the family is hiding Jews. German soldiers seem to be around every corner, scaring Annemarie, but making her brave for her friend. Annemarie finds out that her family will be having a funeral for her "Aunt Birtie," however, Annemarie knows that Great-aunt Birte doesn't exist, and confronts her Uncle Henrik. He explains to her that she is right, but that "it is easier to be brave when you don't know the full truth." Many strangers arrive at Uncle Henrik's house for the "funeral," including a Rabbi and several Jewish families. A group of Nazi soldiers arrive interrupting the funeral, and Ellen's parents arrive shortly after. A soldier questions Annemarie about the funeral and asks her mother to open the casket. Her mother told the soldier that she would love to do so, but opening the casket would spread germs as their Great-Aunt Birte had died from typhus. The soldier slaps her face and leaves. The beginning of Psalm 147 is then read from the Bible, recounting God's numbering the stars. Annemarie thinks that it is impossible to number the stars in the sky, and that the world is cold and very cruel like the sky or the ocean, which Mrs. Rosen is scared of. I now realize that Lowry's story title is taken from that verse in Psalm 147, that God has numbered all the stars in the universe specifically tying into the Star of David, Ellen's--who is Jewish--necklace being totally symbolic to the story.
Sooo many parts of this story are important to discuss with children: historical events for social studies, understanding compassion, bravery, and stamina, and doing what is right for all of humanity.
This is a 4th grade book but could easily be adaped as a read-aloud to lower levels. Higher levels could look up real events like Annemarie's and relate them to this story, perhaps creating their own.