The Wall
By: Even Bunting
Illustrated by Ronald Himler
A well-descriptive book talks about a son's perspective during his trip to Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall with his dad. Both of them wander to search for a grandpa's name on the wall. While dad keeps searching, a son notices an old man giving emotional support for her wife, a group of girl students passing by, and people placing a bunch of beautiful flowers in front of the wall. A heartbreaking moment happens when dad discovers a grandpa's name, George Munoz. Taking a long silence, he decides to put a paper over the letters and rub on it with a pencil so the paper goes dark. In result, the fonts appear in white and the full name can be seen clearly. As there is a noise in the background, Dad just stands there with his head bowed and a son besides him. Out of a son's curiosity, he asks "Grandpa won't know who I am." Dad replies back in calm, "I think he will...I know. But it is a place of honor. I am proud that your grandfather's name is on this wall."
Self-love and Knowledge
Teachers are responsible to provide students opportunities to learn who they are and where they come from. Students of diverse backgrounds are to learn and practice acceptance and respect. From that book, students are to be aware with Vietnam War and its history to understand the story better. Losing a family member is pretty tough. Exchanging the stories about a student's family history is helpful classmates and a teacher to understand who he/she is.
According to your explanation of this book, this makes me want to read this book and see what it is all about. It also gives an idea of how students can cope or can have other relate because losing someone is a very hard topic to discuss with students. I hope to one day come across this book and read more depth about it.
ReplyDeleteThis book looks heart warming to read especially when there are many veterans who had served in war for us. I fully agree that we should make sure students get the opportunity to know where they come from as well their families. Like you said make sure students are being aware with Vietnam War is important when it is part of our history.
ReplyDeleteThis is an excellent book to show to children as it will show things from their perspective (sort of) if they ever do visit this memorial. It shows sensitivity and compassion for war veterans and for the people affected by it. I agree with Kenzie that I want to read it as well, it seems to be a good book.
ReplyDeleteIt's a pretty touching book, like Mackenzie mentioned about wanting to read and see what is all about. I couldn't agree any more, I think that's what makes this book so special when it is categorized in a historical fictional genre. Historical fictional is always more interesting and personal than non-fiction/informative. This book also definitely teach self-love and knowledge when it comes to family and war. It just fits perfectly.
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