From: Dean Schneider <schneiderd>
Date: Thu, 20 Apr 2006 12:06:40 -0500

It seems to me that with Holocaust studies, we need to make the same judgments regarding books and information as we do with any other books. There are plenty of good picture books, nonfiction, and fiction works about the Holocaust or about themes related to the Holocaust and war that are perfectly appropriate for younger students, and books such as Ed Sullivan's provide a valuable service in guiding us toward such books. I teach Elie Wiesel's Night in 8th grade, and that's the youngest I would teach it. If I taught younger students, I'd choose a different book. I am sometimes asked why I don't teach Anne Frank instead of Night; it's more of a classic and not as intense. Well, it's not as intense because it doesn't take readers into the concentration camps the way Night does, and 8th graders are ready to know. It's like the Giver in Lois Lowry's novel who must transmit memories - good, bad, and tragic: there comes a time when it's important to know the truth.

 

Dean Schneider

Ensworth School

Nashville, Tennessee 37205

schneiderd at ensworth.com
Received on Thu 20 Apr 2006 12:06:40 PM CDT