Blog Partner Discussion #3: Multicultural Book
http://jamaicablogpartners.blogspot.com/
Please discuss:
1. Your personal response to the book
2. Evaluate it in terms of its genre
3. ( Read Check out descriptions of genres at:
http://www.edu.uleth.ca/currlab/handouts/genres.html
4. Evaluate its literary quality
5. Evaluate its illustrations
6. Evaluate in terms of multicultural considerations including the credibility of the author and illustrator
7. Discuss for whom the book is intended and the ways in which it might be used in the classroom
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The novel is a multicultural one that is set in a city in Warsaw in Poland. It is about the events that took place during the time when the Germans had occupied Poland at the beginning of world war two.
ReplyDeleteI liked the book because it shows how persons will overlook their own personal safety to help others at whatever the cost.
The Cats in Krasinki Square is a children story alluding to what happened in Poland during World War II. Though the story is set in a different culture, the themes are universal: suffering/hardship, friendship, survival etc. The language and illustrations elucidate a sad tone. Karen Hesse uses words that are simple yet speak to the hardship that Jews faced back then. They convey what it was for a Jewish girl having to disguise herself to survive. More importantly though was her selflessness, putting herself in danger in trying to help those from her race who were in a worse state than she was.Illustrations done by Wendy Watson effectively captured the tension and terror of the time. The colors were for the most dark however at the end the colors became brighter magnifying the last three lines of hope.
ReplyDeleteMoynia this is a wonderful story to chew on. I think the girl identifies with the cats; like her they were displaced from their homes; like her they lost their families. I think this story is suitable for children in grade six, but can be used to teach upper grades where the teacher can take students beyond the literal level to the symbolic representations of the displacement of the Jews which the scattering of the cats suggest. Children in every culture can relate to a dark period in their history. This is great way to show students that certain conditions are not confined to a culture but transcends cultures. Most importantly though they learn about the finer virtues such as forgiveness, determination, hope, the power of love. This story can be used in a History lesson. It can also be used in a Literature lesson to teach literary devices.
ReplyDeleteMiriam you said it all and i agree with you that the book was well illustrated. The pictures actually but me back in time to vicariously experience the events that took place during the German occupation of Poland.
ReplyDeleteThe colours and shades that were used showed the the bleakness of the times and the struggles that they were going through.
I like the idea that the story is told from the perspective of a child who has experienced this for herself.This allows for strong emotions to be evoked as you read about the events that took place from someone who has experienced life on both sides of the divide and knows persons living in the ghetto personally.
This book can be used for grades six and also at the high school level to prepare students for a history lesson.
Dr Kurjian i made the posting on July 15 at 7:35 pm but it went through as Miriams dont know why.
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