We had some great discussions about the two children’s books in class today, Sami and the Time of Troubles and The Day of Ahmed’s Secret. I never realized how much discussion could be generated from two kids’ books!
The first book, The Day of Ahmed’s Secret, portrayed Cairo beautifully, I felt. I thought the mix of the “old” look and the “new” look was cool (It seemed accurate from pictures I have seen as well, but I hope to go there to see for myself!). The old architecture in the pictures is beautiful, and something to be preserved as history. Egypt has such a rich history, and I think these pictures may help kids to have a better appreciation of it.
The second book, Sami and the Time of Troubles, had quite a theme for a children’s book. The story definitely makes children and adults alike ponder conflict situations in the Middle East and their effects on children there. The point that Molly made about children being used for a political agenda was very important, though. Children can be used to push someone’s own political agenda, because children are helpless and need someone to defend them; therefore, we empathize with them much easier than we do with an adult. The point also was made that we should take time to look at political situations through innocent children’s eyes; this, too, is important. A third point was made that the kids were playing with guns, and then they were talking about growing up to have real guns. Some thought that this may point fingers at these people as being the main perpetrators; but I do not think this is the case here. The implication of the boys growing up to play with real guns just shows the reality of the situation; it does not point fingers. For all we as readers know, the boys could merely be defending themselves. Plus, let’s face it: little boys love toy guns, and grown boys love real ones!
All in all, these books were great choices for books to read!
All in all, these books were great choices for books to read!
I definitely enjoyed both the books very much. They were kind of a break from our heavy reading, but at the same time made us consider things we hadn't thought of before.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with you about the point you made concerning the guns. I feel like all these boys know is violence so how else would they defend themselves but with guns. Boys do love playing guns, that is universal, but the reason behind it may be different, in the United States the game is cops and robbers or Cowboys and Indians, because that is our history, and perhaps in their country these little boys play like they are defending their lives because war has been happening their entire lives.
ReplyDeleteI just hope that so-called "grown men" realize that guns are not toys! Unfortunately, the making of guns and weapons has become an industry, both in America and other countries, with its own lobby... Good comments on our discussion!
ReplyDeleteI was also surprised at how much conversation these books generated, I think this was the most passionate conversation our class has held so far! I like the pictures you chose to post, I can see some similarities between what was drawn in the books and what exists in real life.
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