A young Jewish orphan, Dave, escapes his new home one night to discover a world full of music, art and adventure. But he must return to the orphanage to retrieve his prized possession, a Noah's Ark carved by his woodworking father. Dave's visits to Harlem during its heyday bring him new friends and demonstrate his inventive courage and ingenuity. In the 1920's orphanages held the same terror and camaraderie imagined by Dickens in Oliver Twist and Dave is an "Artful Dodger." The character is convincing, and endearing and the juxtaposition of the orphanage with the "rent parties" in Harlem is perfect. Your elementary children will enjoy this book, you will love it. Especially when you read the afterward and find that the author's father was the model for Dave and spent much of his childhood in an orphanage.
From Dave at Night, by Gail Carson Levine this book quote: “We turned the corner, and I saw the asylum. If I didn’t know better, it would have been the last place I’d have guessed was a Home, the last place for kids to live.
We reached the gate. A sign, black letters on white metal, was attached to it. The Hebrew Home for Boys. Ida pushed the gate open just as the clock struck ten.”
No comments:
Post a Comment