Here's a fascinating excerpt from Tony Kushner's new book about Maurice
Sendak. It deals extensively with Brundibar, children's literature, and
Sendak's Jewish sensibility.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/weekend/story/0,3605,1099755,00.html
Guardian Unlimited The Guardian Tony Kushner
I heartily disagree. In our library, we found the message to be confusing
and quite scary, especially at the end, when the readers are told that the
bully always returns. We decided to shelve the book in our adult Holocaust
collection, for its connection to Terezin. When parents pick it up,
Fred,
I mistakenly bought it for my 4 1/2 year old before I bought it for my
library. I now know that the book is very dark, so if I buy it (and I know
you will say I should) I will put it in my Juvenile section. It's not
technically a Holocaust book, but maybe combining it with a book on the
We put our copy with picture books.
While the book is based on an opera that had been written for children to
perform, and was *later* performed in Terezin, the story itself is of a
bully who is squelched by the helpful cooperation of three animals and many,
many children. It does not have any
Hi, Fred,
For the moment, I've put our copy into the chapter books section, for
children in grades 2-5. I am interested in hearing what others are doing.
Shabbat Shalom,
Ann Abrams, Librarian
Temple Israel
477 Longwood Ave.
Boston, MA 02215
617-566-3960
www.tisrael.org
The history of the production is contained in one of Kathy Kacer's novels.
The bulk of the book is set in the Terezin camp. Her characters are part
of the cast, and the situation in Terezin is well-set.
Fred Isaac
==
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