Children's Books and Films
This will be a discussion of books and films for children and teens.
Return to Books and Films Project.
Conflict is inevitable. War is not.
This will be a discussion of books and films for children and teens.
Return to Books and Films Project.
Comments
Guides for suggested books and films on peace
A wonderful source of suggested books on peace is: "A Parent/Teacher Guide to Children’s Books on Peace and Tolerance—Preschool-High School" by Bob Blumenthal. 2005. Trafford Publishing, Victoria, B.C., Canada.
It groups the books by age group, gives a synopsis of the book and describes awards it has won.
Do you know of other sources for suggested books or films? Do you have particular titles to suggest?
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
"Number the Stars" by Lois Lowry. 1989. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston. 137 pages. Ages 9-12, grades 3-7. Award: Newbery Medal.
It's 1943 Copenhagen and the Jews of Denmark are being "relocated," so Annemarie Johansen's best friend, Ellen, moves in with the Johansens and pretends to be part of the family. When Annemarie is asked to go on a dangerous mission, she must find the courage to save her friend's life.
Although this is fiction, Lowry describes, in an afterward, all the ways in which it was based on fact. The book does a wonderful job of describing how the Danish people peacefully resisted during the Nazi occupation and how they managed to smuggle thousands of Danish Jewish people to safety in Sweden. It communicates Beyond War ideas that we are one on this planet, despite religious and cultural differences, and that peaceful means can be effective during a time of conflict.
Number the Stars
Anne, this is a great book for middle school students. I have read it with students in grades 6-8 and have found it to be a powerful book for showing students a real life example of how a small country could so effectively and nonviolently resist the Nazis through both courage and ingenuity. With main characters of a similar age to themselves, students are able to relate to the characters and the values of supporting one's neighbors and friends, regardless of cultural/religious differences. An excellent book to support Beyond War beliefs.
Lily's Crossing by Patricial Reilly Giff
"Lily's Crossing" by Patricial Reilly Giff. Bantam Doubleday Dell Books for Young Readers, 180 pages. Grades 6-8.
Lily's Crossing is a book about a young girl's journey during World War II.
Everything has changed for Lily, her father has gone overseas to the war and her best friend has moved to a different town. While she is living with her grandmother she meets her new neighbor, Albert, who is a refugee from Hungary. They share many secrets and comfort each other when it seems like all hope that they will see their family members is gone.
This book does a great job of promoting Beyond Wars beliefs such as war is obsolete and we are one on this planet. It also explains the value of family and how families are often separated in war.
Night by Elie Wiesel
“Night” by Elie Wiesel. 1960. 120 pages.
Night is an autobiography about Elie Wiesel’s life growing up in a concentration camp with his father. It takes you through every detail of the hardships Wiesel and many others lived through. It is a very intense read, but it is an important event to be educated about. However, I wouldn’t recommend it to younger audiences due to the detail it goes into.
Night clearly supports the idea that war is obsolete and we are one on this planet although our values and beliefs may be different. It is a very powerful book and supports many of Beyond Wars beliefs.