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Night (The Night Trilogy, #1)
by Elie Wiesel, Marion Wiesel
by Elie Wiesel, Marion Wiesel
I teach this book yearly, but my students seemed distant from the true reality of the story. When I use the Holocaust Museum's interactive of Lola Rein's dress, it hits them. Real people, real history. The immediacy of the tragedy that was Wiesel's then comes to life in a way that a junior or senior can grasp. I also tell the story of my friend, Ida, and her "no grandparents". That is the hardest part for me as it is so personal. She was the daughter of survivors - she had no grandparents and I gave her mine. The sharing of my friend with my beloved grandmother and grandfather was one of the true blessings of my life and our lives were enriched through the immense addition to our family. I was also blessed by her adding us to her home and her celebrations. My faith was enlarged. This is a powerful book - a simple one to read, but a difficult one to comprehend. Engagingly written and honest to the core - even the difficult, prickly human parts that would embarrass anyone to reveal -- this is the heart of humanity's difficult path - how do we grow if we can't love one another for the similarities and the differences. I wish I could say there was no more genocide, but that would be a dreamer's lie. Bless this with a read and light a candle in our darkness. Also, go and view the dress at the Holocaust Museum website - you will leave changed.
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I am so honored to have received such a nice note from you - that dress touched my soul when I first saw it. It truly spoke to my soul the first time I saw that section online and I have used it every year. Again, thank you so much for taking the time to let me know that your mother's dress lives on and on and on. Blessings to you and your family.
Enjoyed your review. In particular your reference to Lola Rein's dress and the Holocaust Museum.Thanks,
Steve Barrett
Hello, we studied Hannah's suitcase and were lucky enough to meet her brother George who survived and he talked to the children about the camp. It helped them truly understand and know it was not so long ago and it was real. Blessings
It is so wonderful to learn that there are still educators who teach the Holocaust and really try to have their students grasp the tragedy. Learning about the Holocaust in middle school and after reading the Diary of Anne Frank around age 13, I read every Holocaust memoir I could find. Now, entering graduate school, I aim to one day work for USHMM so that the Holocaust and present-day genocide are never swept under the rug. My school found that in learning about the history of WWII in history class in tandem with reading personal accounts in literature classes, students were able to immerse themselves in the reality of the world's situation during the time.
Bravo to you!
Samantha wrote: "It is so wonderful to learn that there are still educators who teach the Holocaust and really try to have their students grasp the tragedy. Learning about the Holocaust in middle school and after r..."Thank you so much for your comments - I fight against isolation, against not considering others in the global context. I have taught other genocides so my students know that killing and hatred live on and on and perhaps one will be a light in this often dark world. I am going to have to find another way to teach the Holocaust next year as we are locked into a curriculum and they have moved Night to another lower grade. I will find another novel so that we can again approach this very real need to never raise the rug.
Thank you Kat! Insightful and beautiful review by an amazing teacher. Wish there were more like you!
You remember me so much of my language arts teacher. Parents asked why are you teaching kids the holocaust. Can you believe people don't think the holocaust happen. They think its a big lie. It's so wonderful that you teach the holocaust, most teacher won't. I have alway been drawn to it even when I was younger. Just how it was so unbelievable and yet true. I'm only in 8th grade and I know more about the holocaust then most people. That's hard to believe. If you don't realize the past it will be your future. I hope people read this and tell others about this.
Emily wrote: "You remember me so much of my language arts teacher. Parents asked why are you teaching kids the holocaust. Can you believe people don't think the holocaust happen. They think its a big lie. It's s..."II am so glad that you care about history and how humans treat on another. There have been many genocides as horrible, but we, as people often want to ignore the unpleasant or the disagreeable. I think Rwanda, Cambodia, Russia all share a place in the sad history of hate towards a certain people. It gives me joy to think that someone in the 8th grade has the heart and wisdom to care - keep reading and growing. When you are in high school, you should read Maus by Art Spiegelman, but it has some language. It is a graphic novel and it is a hard read on the emotional level. Corrie Ten Boom also writes of the holocaust and she is quite readable. Of course, there is lovely Anne Frank and her gentle spirit. I think, I hope this title is right, there is a book entitled, And I Never Saw Another Butterfly about Terezin prison camp. Cheers!
Michael Kaufman
Kaufsrus@aol.com