TEACHING KINDNESS AND COMPASSION

 by Pam Everhardt Bloom  Rowan Public Library

Children amaze me. My current read, Far & Away, Reporting from the Brink of Change: Seven Continents, Twenty-Five Years by Andrew Solomon, reminded me once again that children are listening even when you think it’s of no interest to them or beyond their scope of understanding. Solomon’s son George, a seasoned world traveler at five, quickly answered, “Syria,” as the place he would choose to visit if he could go anywhere in the world. His parents were somewhat perplexed and immediately asked why. George’s wise response was, “Someone has to tell those people that what they’re doing is inappropriate behavior.” These words of a young child are testimony to the power of words and our response.  A good story can open hearts and create dialogue. With the school year nearly over, summer vacation approaching, and many children hearing news not necessarily chosen by their parents, now may be the perfect opportunity to share a meaningful story with a child. The following books from the juvenile collection at RPL may offer insight and discussion for exploring different people, places and some hard to explain behaviors from our shared American history.

Newbery Medalist Lynne Rae Perkins’ juvenile novel Nuts to You is a timely story for today. More than a simple story about squirrels, Perkins examines how we accept differences in others. Her imaginative story includes factual information and charming illustrations rolled into this rollicking adventure. The colorful back cover says it all. “In which four squirrels find out what they’re made of: Friendship. Courage. Big ideas. Also, nuts! (And I mean that in a good way).” The squirrels and their story are very believable and Perkins explains new words and concepts to young readers with friendly author notes children will love. You and your child will find many parallels between the animal actions and our human race, leading to interesting conversations about life.

Another exciting adventure, The Secret Mission of William Tuck by Eric Pierpoint, is a story of the American Revolution. William Tuck, 12 years old, is set on justice after his brother is killed by British soldiers. War time circumstances and a mysterious watch lead him into a network of spies and a journey to General Washington himself. This tale accurately describes the peril of the day with descriptive lessons in writing secret messages and traveling in disguise.  More importantly, the everyday dilemmas faced by Loyalists and Patriots alike are a central theme of the book. 

Crow by Barbara Wright tells the story of Moses, a young boy living in Wilmington, N.C. in 1898. Growing up in a household where Dad is one of the first African American Aldermen on City Council and grandmother a former slave, Moses finds it hard to understand the racism he faces regularly. The book continues this coming of age tale with an accurate description of the Wilmington Race Riot, the only coup d’état in U.S. history – a story that may be new to many adults.

Another black spot in American History is chronicled through the eyes of 12 year old Tomi Itano during WWII in Red Berries, White Clouds, Blue Sky. Sandra Dallas portrays the realities of life for Japanese Americans after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Beginning with her father’s imprisonment and the family’s eventual government dictated removal to a “relocation camp” in Colorado, Tomi’s story spans the years of 1942 – 1945 and chronicles why she is truly American and proud of it.

A more contemporary novel, Return to Sender, covers summer 2005 - summer 2006. Award winning author Julia Alverez’s two characters, Mari, a migrant girl, and Tyler, a Vermont farm boy, struggle with the dilemma of obeying the law and taking care of one’s family. Part of Mari’s family are in the U.S. illegally, meanwhile Tyler finds his law-abiding family turning a blind eye to immigration issues in order to save their farm. You won’t forget their story.

These books, like travel, may raise as many questions as they answer. Five year old George’s statement of changing inappropriate behaviors may seem simplistic. Even so, we must not forget that it is George’s honest perspective from his life experiences. Even if our life doesn’t offer travel opportunities or a magic carpet to the past, we can keep reading. The right book can offer insight into another mind or time.  Like travel, books can help us see the world through someone else’s eyes.  Let RPL help bring kindness, compassion and a greater love and understanding of others through the books you select to share with the children in your life.

Granddaughter Gracie, 7, heard a story recently and it was apparent that it made a deep impression. After listening to her detailed retelling and the life lesson learned, it reminded me of morals I still remember from traditional fables such as The Tortoise and the Hare or The Boy Who Cried Wolf. Other classics such as The Giving Tree by Silverstein (1964) or The Secret Garden by Burnett (1910) have left imprints on minds for generations. A good story can open hearts and create dialogue. With the school year nearly over, summer vacation approaching, and the election process in full swing, the following books from the juvenile collection at RPL offer insight and discussion for you and your child to explore together.

Another good adventure, The Secret Mission of William Tuck by Eric Pierpoint is a story of the American Revolution. William Tuck, 12 years old, is set on justice after his brother is killed by British soldiers. War time circumstances and a mysterious watch lead him into a network of spies and a journey to General Washington himself. This tale accurately describes the peril of the day with some exciting lessons in writing secret messages and operating in disguise.  More importantly, the everyday dilemmas faced by Loyalists and Patriots are a central theme of the book.