Night

Night is a tragically sad story about a boy and what he sees during life in an internment camp, that I believe is a very good story to teach in either an English or a History class. This book sheds light on how life was inside the camps and give a deeper look into life of people in other countries. It gives the fact that it is based off real life events and what one boy/man remembers of his life then. This story gives students a look at a different time and a different place that they may not understand. This book also comes from a person their age, which allows them to connect with the writer more.

In a classroom you could couple this with a book like Schindler's List to show a different look. Also other books or movies that give a deeper look. The students could write a paper on why the Germans thought they were right or maybe on why the Jews thought about why this was happening. Lots of things could be done with a text like this. Like you could do a journal activity where the student must keep a track of there thought through the story or even through the quarter. You could also have this as a Friday reading each week until it was finished and write a response on what they heard and felt. This book is and easy and quick read with lots of emotion.