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bardicbramley 's review for:
No Ballet Shoes in Syria
by Catherine Bruton
This one was so closed to making me cry!
A beautiful story, full of emotion, empathy, and kindness.
Of course, the general story of this book is quite clear from the title. I'm sure you can guess the relatively simple plot, the issues raised, and the dark topics it handles.
I think, instead of describing the plot or characters as a way to entice you in, I'd like to highlight a few of my favourite elements of the book that really make it a 5 star read in my mind.
As a teaching student, I have to acknowledge that this book is written by an English teacher, based in my home county, and educated in the same city I am now studying in (all of which I found out after reading and relating to the setting descriptions a little too much). I could clearly see that this was written by someone who has experienced children, and truly understands the ways they learn, think, and survive.
The characterisation of the children and their struggles was perfectly relatable for young readers, the parents and community characters were realistic, and the ways that the book tackled, unravelled and explained difficult and emotional subjects was well balanced and enlightening.
I also need to mention the beautiful parallels that this book placed centre stage: the intense similarities of refugees throughout time- in this example, modern day Syrian refugees vs the Kindertransport of WW2.
It reminded me of a video I was shown in a lecture this year, where a young Syrian boy, talked with an elderly gentleman who survived the Second World War, sharing their experiences and the ways in which history continuous to repeat itself.
Until recently I had never thought to use these comparisons as a way to help children understand, but if we can teach them about WW2 as we do on the curriculum, helping them learn empathy for children who were evacuated or forced out of their homes, I see no reason why we cannot also teach them our current world issues through that same understanding.
It takes book like this to truly help children, and adults alike, to see the damage our apathy can cause to the people around us, and how we can help those both close to us, and across the world, in need of it.
A beautiful story, full of emotion, empathy, and kindness.
Of course, the general story of this book is quite clear from the title. I'm sure you can guess the relatively simple plot, the issues raised, and the dark topics it handles.
I think, instead of describing the plot or characters as a way to entice you in, I'd like to highlight a few of my favourite elements of the book that really make it a 5 star read in my mind.
As a teaching student, I have to acknowledge that this book is written by an English teacher, based in my home county, and educated in the same city I am now studying in (all of which I found out after reading and relating to the setting descriptions a little too much). I could clearly see that this was written by someone who has experienced children, and truly understands the ways they learn, think, and survive.
The characterisation of the children and their struggles was perfectly relatable for young readers, the parents and community characters were realistic, and the ways that the book tackled, unravelled and explained difficult and emotional subjects was well balanced and enlightening.
I also need to mention the beautiful parallels that this book placed centre stage: the intense similarities of refugees throughout time- in this example, modern day Syrian refugees vs the Kindertransport of WW2.
It reminded me of a video I was shown in a lecture this year, where a young Syrian boy, talked with an elderly gentleman who survived the Second World War, sharing their experiences and the ways in which history continuous to repeat itself.
Until recently I had never thought to use these comparisons as a way to help children understand, but if we can teach them about WW2 as we do on the curriculum, helping them learn empathy for children who were evacuated or forced out of their homes, I see no reason why we cannot also teach them our current world issues through that same understanding.
It takes book like this to truly help children, and adults alike, to see the damage our apathy can cause to the people around us, and how we can help those both close to us, and across the world, in need of it.