Title: Terrible Things
Author: Eve Bunting
Publisher: Jewish Publication Society
Genre: Fantasy
Number of Pages: Unpaged
Book Discovery: University Professor Recommendation
Reading Level: 2.5 Follett Library Resources
Awards: Literary Prizes- Booklist:
Summary: Terrible Things is an allegory about the Holocaust. The premise of the story focuses around creatures of the forest live in harmony until one day the "Terrible Things" arrive, clearing out all of the animals that had feathers. Each time the "Terrible Things" returned, they took away other animals because their characteristics did not fit into what “the perfect animal” should look like. Many varieties of animals were scooped up in nets and never seen again. Eventually, the remaining animals team up to fight against the forces that be, the "Terrible Things", despite the frightening situation at hand.
Personal Connection: A gripping book, Terrible Things, does an amazing job of showing human atrocity in the animal world. As the animals began to disappear from the forest, the remaining creatures began to have an intense internal conflict. This part of the book made me think deeply about how some Germans were able to destroy fellow humans while others risked their lives to hide their fellow citizens. Books such as this, truly allows the human concious to mull over the question, "How can anyone kill another human being?"
Evaluation/Analysis: This story, made for elementary readers, would be an excellent way to discuss allegory with middle school students. Eve Bunting does a wonderful job of showing the horror of the Holocaust by personifying the animals of the forest. Teachers would be able to show students how author's use events in history to create captivating stories. Furthermore, the students would gain further knowledge of the Holocaust while being able to add to their inquiry, "Do the events of the Holocaust fit the definition of a true "holocaust?"
Author: Eve Bunting
Publisher: Jewish Publication Society
Genre: Fantasy
Number of Pages: Unpaged
Book Discovery: University Professor Recommendation
Reading Level: 2.5 Follett Library Resources
Awards: Literary Prizes- Booklist:
Summary: Terrible Things is an allegory about the Holocaust. The premise of the story focuses around creatures of the forest live in harmony until one day the "Terrible Things" arrive, clearing out all of the animals that had feathers. Each time the "Terrible Things" returned, they took away other animals because their characteristics did not fit into what “the perfect animal” should look like. Many varieties of animals were scooped up in nets and never seen again. Eventually, the remaining animals team up to fight against the forces that be, the "Terrible Things", despite the frightening situation at hand.
Personal Connection: A gripping book, Terrible Things, does an amazing job of showing human atrocity in the animal world. As the animals began to disappear from the forest, the remaining creatures began to have an intense internal conflict. This part of the book made me think deeply about how some Germans were able to destroy fellow humans while others risked their lives to hide their fellow citizens. Books such as this, truly allows the human concious to mull over the question, "How can anyone kill another human being?"
Evaluation/Analysis: This story, made for elementary readers, would be an excellent way to discuss allegory with middle school students. Eve Bunting does a wonderful job of showing the horror of the Holocaust by personifying the animals of the forest. Teachers would be able to show students how author's use events in history to create captivating stories. Furthermore, the students would gain further knowledge of the Holocaust while being able to add to their inquiry, "Do the events of the Holocaust fit the definition of a true "holocaust?"
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