1. No category

How do we talk about this book?
This book is:
This book is:
*a Verse Novel
This book is:
*a Verse Novel
*a Holocaust Novel
This book is:
*a Verse Novel
*a Holocaust Novel
*(and also a Historical Novel)
This book is:
*a Verse Novel
*a Holocaust Novel
*(and also a Historical Novel)
*(and a political novel)
This book is:
*a Verse Novel
*a Holocaust Novel
*a Historical Novel
*a YA Novel
This book is:
*a Verse Novel
*a Holocaust Novel
*a Historical Novel
*a YA Novel
*Disability Literature
Is it also a problem novel?
Can a Holocaust novel NOT be a
problem novel?
A Bit About Verse Novels:
The poet who chooses this form fashions an over-arching narrative, making explicit the links
between the individual poems and foregrounding the teleological structure of the whole. By
highlighting the paths that lead from one poem to another, verse-novelists draw attention to the
book as a constructed whole, with a pattern and a logic to its design. Similarly, verse-novels guide
the reader from one poem to the next, privileging the plot of the collection and celebrating the way
in which one poem leads (or doesn't seem to lead) to the next. It could be argued that novels-inverse formalize the way we read a book of poetry: highlighting themes and motifs and articulating
the connections between poems and the patterns at work in the book. It could, however, also be
argued that the form teaches us only how to read a collection of lyric poems arranged as a
chronological narrative and not the many collections that are arranged otherwise. We all know how
crucial—and exciting—it is to find poetic connections and patterns. Harold Bloom defines criticism
as "the art of knowing the hidden roads that go from poem to poem" (96) and Robert Frost
reminded us fifty years ago, in "The Prerequisites" that "a poem is best read in the light of all other
poems ever written" (815). Novels-in-verse encourage you to look for those connections…This
genre is, unfortunately, too often abused; this year's examples by High and Appelt, along with
earlier attempts by Mel Glenn, Sonya Sones, April Halprin Wayland, David Levithan, and Steven
Herrick are almost entirely made up of verse that seems to have been composed according to the
principle of "chopping your composition into line lengths" (4), which Pound so scathingly warns
against. It is also true that the vast majority of teen novels-in-verse seem to exist in profound
ignorance of what is excellent in "all other poems ever written," that while they draw attention to the
connections between the poems in their own individual collections, they do not enter into
conversation with the tradition outside the narrow confines of that textual world.
A Bit About Holocaust Novels:
There is the standard debate surrounding Holocaust
literature for children.
Pointless fiction., July 29, 2008
This review is from:
Upon receipt of this book and having read the back cover, my first
thought was this: Is this appropriate reading material for any
child, the horror of the holocaust?
Now, having finished, I find the story of thirteen-year-old Paula
Becker affectively manipulated my emotions. But, most of the book
left me with the feeling that Paula's emotions were as deadened as
her poor sick ears were. Not only was the story poorly written, but it
was not a true story, nor was it the personal experience of the author
as the back cover led me to believe. Why take me or even a child on
an emotionally nightmarish ride, only to find that there is no moral to
the story, that there is no hope, no offer of a reason for this work of
fiction to exist. If you are trying to evoke sympathy for the deaf or
for the victims of the real holocaust, there is no need. The truth is
indeed saddening and grotesque enough for that purpose.
There is a very simple and childlike view in this book of "poetry",
which is why I believe this was marketed as a children's book. But
the subject is far too dark. It is easy to capture a reader by the
darkness of that era and the ideals of Nazi Germany. Most poignant
was the foolish idea that "Nobody said why the doctors agreed to do
it. Because nobody knew." It was because of the depth of the evil
that existed therein.
"My parents, my grandparents and my sister, Clara, loved me even
though I was Disabled." This is an absurdity. Imagine a disabled
child reading this. I would not wish to introduce the notion that the
child was loved even though, being disabled, she was not worthy of
that love.
This work was merely an unoriginal, shabby-fiction, children's
version, knock-off of a much heralded true diary from the same era.
For example, I found that there was a severe deficit in the description
of Paula's return to home. What about that first taste of apple
strudel? What about how it felt to be in a warm tub after such a long,
cold winter? These comments left me longing for more elaboration. It
is clear here that the author had less than an appropriate level of
imagination to relate this homecoming.
Many books about the horrors against humanity in the holocaust
have claimed that "We must not forget, lest it happen again."
Seemingly a good reason for a brief look, remembrance and prayer.
But, disappointingly, there was none of that here either.
"T4" was not merely a form of euthanasia: it was murder, which was
poorly described in the book as "a controversial procedure and sad
for everyone", after what the author herself described as a "neutral
definition of euthanasia". ????
If we are going to begin to vaccinate our children with "neutral
definitions" of what can only be considered to be pure evil, are we
not perpetrating the same crime upon them: that bombardment of
what is at first unacceptable, but becomes acceptable as it is
experienced over and over under the auspices of having a very good
cause indeed?
At the very least, there is a very distinct need to have a disclaimer at
the end of this story, particularly in a children's book, wherein is it
noted that the horrors and depth of evil of the holocaust are only
worth calling to memory as they are the worst evils perpetrated upon
humanity by humanity -- and that they must never be allowed to
occur again. Because for evil to continue and to flourish, a good man
need merely do nothing... ????????
This book will take a child on an emotional roller coaster. It is
depressing and worse yet, it is not even a true story. My original
instinct was correct.
It is my recommendation that you do not buy this book for your
child.
If you feel that your child needs to experience the real holocaust in
their reading material, I suggest "The Diary of Anne Frank".
And then, there is always this:
Philippians 4:8 (KJV) - Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just,
whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if
there be any praise, think on these things. ?????
Comment 1:
I learned about the Holocaust at age 9,when I was reading an
encyclopedia, and came across the words "concentration camp." Not
quite understanding the term, I asked my Mom what it meant, and she
sat down and told me everything she could about the Holocaust. From
the moment the last word left her mouth that day, I have tried to live
my life without being mean, bigoted, and seeing to it that if anyone
opens his/her mouth and a racial slur, or cruel remark comes out, I
refused to tolerate it, and spoke my mind.
It was not too early for me to learn about the Holocaust. As soon as
children reach the age where they can sort things out, it should be
imperative that we teach them everything we can about hatred,
bigotry, greed. We must teach them about kindness, and bravery.
As for the comment about the deaf child? We have several hearingimpaired children in our extended family, and all three of them have
been tested out as gifted. They would collectively shake their heads at
your comme nt. "Poor sick ears?" That reminds me of an incident many
years ago when I was taking one of our hearing-impaired family
members Christmas shopping. She was a little girl of 4. A woman
came up to us and looked at the kid, and said "Oh, what a terrible
cross to bear!" The kid looked at her and said "Geeze, lady. I'm only
deaf." Someone should knock the wind out of your sails.
Comment 2:
"If we are going to begin to vaccinate our children with "neutral
definitions" of what can only be considered to be pure evil, are we not
perpetrating the same crime upon them: that bombardment of what is
at first unacceptable, but becomes acceptable as it is experienced over
and over under the auspices of having a very good cause indeed? "
In all due respect ... I don't think the propagation of poetry on a
particular subject and the mass murder and genocide of millions -- to
even be close to the same thing and does not condition anyone to start
accepting the abhorrent tennents that were embedded and
orchestrated under the guise of National Socialism. Ann Clare LeZotte
is NOT perpetrating any crime on anyone with her novel, and trying to
frame it as such is in incredibly bad form.
Making that assertion is probably the worst thing I've read in a long
time and inexcusable.
Trying to point out that this is too dark of a subject for children's
literature is also just patently absurd. It was once normal to read
books like Oliver Twist, Watership Down, The Diary of Anne Frank, The
Silver Sword and so on, in school and before I reached adolescence. I
had read the entire Carlos Castaneda series before I turned 12 (only 6
books then, 12 now) as well as everything by C.S. Lewis and Tolkien.
T4 is an equally appropriate book for any age group.
And your knock on the disabled comment just shows how out-of-touch
you are to even make that comment. Those of us who have a disability
understand that statement very clearly, even though you may find the
cold searing truth of it, troubling.
Comment 3:
I have to disagree with your comment that, "Many books about the
horrors against humanity in the holocaust have claimed that "We
must not forget, lest it happen again." Seemingly a good reason for
a brief look, remembrance and prayer. But, disappointingly, there
was none of that here either. " What about: "Educating people is /
The best tool we have / Against forgetting. / We must make sure /
Nothing like T4 / Ever happens / Again. And so / My story told in /
Poetry ends"?
Comment 4:
I actually agree with a lot of your review -- I didn't like the book -but I would like to point out that LeZotte does explain that T4 was
definitely NOT euthanasia. In the book she says euthanasia is done
for people who are suffering horribly with no chance of getting
better, and it's usually agreed by the person and/or their family,
whereas in T4 plenty of non-suffering disabled people were killed,
often in horrible ways, and without the knowledge or consent of
their families.
And then there is a more thoughtful, informed theoretical
perspective, as discussed by a variety of Children’s Literature
scholars.
In “‘A’ is for Auschwitz: Psychoanalysis, Trauma Theory, and the
‘Children’s Literature of Atrocity,’” Dr. Kenneth Kidd makes a
series of interesting points:
1. “…the idea that young readers should be protected from evil and
toward the conviction that they should be exposed to it, perhaps even
endangered by it[;] it’s almost as if we expect reading about trauma
to be traumatic itself-as if we think children can’t otherwise
comprehend atrocity,” making trauma more personal than political.
2. “Holocaust writing would be unthinkable without the therapeutic
ethos [of the progressive social movements of the 60s and 70s] that
nurtured this progressive culture and formed its popular and
institutional corrective…” BUT “What if psychoanalysis isn’t, in
fact, the best treatment for trauma, but rather one of its privileged
modes of presentation?”
3. “…the Holocaust is at once history and the never-ending story, the
primal scene forever relived and reconstructed. It is something to be
spoken about but that remains inaccessible…Rather than coming to
terms with trauma…we pass trauma along to the next person.”
4. Holocaust narratives are interpellative; this is HOW we talk
about the Holocaust…establishing a shared relationship to the real,
a sentimental collective memory.
5. Literature of atrocity often infantilizes victims.
A Bit About YA Novels:
http://www.longwood.edu/staff/miskecjm/381reactprog.html
A Bit About Disability
Literature:
What is it?
Disability Literature Should be
Positive and Realistic:
POSITIVE:
build on strengths,
-envision high expectations ensure that the character
for the character with
with disabilities is afforded
disabilities,
the same citizenship rights
as others,
enhance positive
contributions,
depict expanding
reciprocal relationships
with others,
show the person acting on
choices,
(Turnbull, Turnbull, Shank,
& Leal, 1999).
Rea l is t ic
Realistic portrayals include
physical, behavioral, and
language attributes typical
of an individual with a
developmental disability. In
addition, all literature
should include characters
that are credible,
consistent, multidi
mensional
-- characters who continue to
grow and develop, including
those with developmental
disabilities (Dyches &
Prater, 2000).
BUTÉ
when the Council for Interracial Books for
Children published a landmark issue of their
Bulletin on "Handicapism, " the authors
described 10 common st ereotypes associated
with the portrayal of people with disabilities.
(plus an eleventh stereotype that others
commonl y note):
The stereotypes cited were:
1. Person with a disability portrayed as pitiable and
pathetic. This image is one widely touted and
perpetuated by charity drives and telethons. It is also
a stereotype that widely exists in classical as well as
modern children's literature. Tiny Tim in A
Christmas Carol is such an example.
2. Person with a disability as the object of violence.
Since a "handicapped person" must be incapable of
defending his/her own self, we become perfect ploys
or victims of crime. Of Mice and Men shows an
example of this stereotype.
3. Person with a disability as sinister and/or evil. This may be the most historically prevalent stereotype
ranging from fairy tales with stooped witches who use canes to hunched-back kings. Captain Hook
in Peter Pan is a classic example.
4. Person with a disability used as "atmosphere." Basically undeveloped as characters, persons
with disabilities are often peripheral to the main action, perhaps as a blind musician or amputee
beggar. The mentally retarded brother in Betsy Byar's Summer of the Swans serves merely as such
a prop.
5. Person with a disability as "super crip." All too often, in order to be accepted both in children's
literature and in real life, people with disabilities are put in positions of being over-achievers. Thus,
people with disabilities are thought to be endowed with super powers, ranging from the paraplegic
detective, Ironside, to social activist, Helen Keller.
6. Person with a disability as laughable. Just as there are ethnic jokes, so too have the media and
children's literature made frequent use of this ploy as a gimmick to facilitate the plot. For example,
the person who is visually impaired becomes the brunt of many jokes and pranks. This is a
particularly insensitive portrayal of people with disabilities.
7. Person with a disability as his/her own å Ń and only å Ń worst
enemy. This is the popular portrayal of the self-pitying person with
a disability who could "make it" if only he or she would shed a
cloak of bitterness. Such portrayals deny the reality of
architectural, com- municational, and attitudinal barriers which
legitimately interfere with the true acceptance. Clara in Heidi is
such an example.
8. Person with a disability as a burden. Burdens imply something
to be gotten rid of, hence portraying people with disabilities as
burdens in society objectifies, dehumanizes, and negates the values
and contributions of people with disabilities. A prime example in
this category is Laura in A Glass Menagerie.
Flowers for Algernon clearly suggests this.
9. Person with a disability as asexual. Simply stated, people with
disabilities are very rarely presented in caring or love relationships.
Flowers for Algernon clearly suggests this.
10. Person with a disability as incapable of fully participating in
everyday life. Until recently, the notion that people with
disabilities can contribute to everyday life, be it as functional
members of the work force or in families, was not prevalent or
pervasive. Differences, rather than commonalities, may make for
more "exciting" story lines, but they do little to break down
barriers or increase awareness of the abilities and values of people
with disabilities. The play Whose Life Is It Anyw ay! clearly
analyzes this issue.
11. Person with a disability as being isolated from disabled and
non- disabled peers. Too often, both in pictures and text, people
with disabilities are depicted as alone and /or loners. Such
stereotypicrepresentations become self-perpetuating as in To Kill a
Mockingbird.
Literature of the Body: body is a
sign to be read.
In what ways is Paula’s body a sign
to be read?
Literature of the Body
----politicized body
----endangered body
----disabled body
----sexualized body
----gendered body
We’ve talked about it broadly,
now let’s talk about it
specifically.