A Family That Fights [Hardcover]

Sharon Chesler Bernstein (Author), Karen Ritz (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1991 | Grade Level: K and up

Henry, Claire, and Joe hate it when their parents fight. The fighting often wakes them from a sound sleep, causing Claire and Joe to cry. The crying makes their father angrier--sometimes he even hits their mother.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-3-- A bibliotherapeutic tool about domestic violence that's best placed on parenting shelves. An introductory paragraph stresses the universality of family disagreements, then distinguishes between them and family violence. As Henry attempts to shield his younger siblings from their father's abuse of their mother, he worries, experiences embarrassment and fear, and succumbs to daydreaming. Final comments stress that the children are not the cause of or to be blamed for their parents' actions. Appended are lists of what children can do to help themselves and what parents can do. In soft and muted tones, Ritz's sepia and charcoal scenes enhance and elucidate the text. These double-page spreads feature frightened, bewildered, or helpless children; an innovative decorative technique gives the paper the look of having been ripped forcibly from a tablet. Paris's Mommy and Daddy Are Fighting (Seal Pr., 1986) is aimed at a somewhat younger audience, yet places more emphasis on discussion techniques with specific questions offered on feelings, family violence, and family issues. A book on a much needed topic, related in a competent and assuring manner. --Celia A. Huffman, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Cleveland
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"A book on a much needed topic, related in a competent and assuring manner."

School Library Journal

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company (January 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807522481
• ISBN-13: 978-0807522486
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #331,524 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars When they need to know they are not alone!, April 29, 2010

By 

Cherelle (NJ United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Family That Fights (Hardcover)

Nice to have something like this for kids who really need to understand they are not the only ones living with violence. I got this for an 11 year old even though it is rated and appropriate for a younger child. It proved to be a great conversation-starter - add a caring inscription to let them know you are there for them and they'll keep a book like this around.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars families do fight, June 29, 2009

By 

mamaturk - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Family That Fights (Hardcover)

Wonderfully written story of a family living with domestic violence. As a domestic violence educator in our county's schools, I read this book to younger elementary students to help them understand that some families, perhaps even theirs, live like this and the child(ren) should not be ashamed about it but know they can/should talk to someone about what they experience.

In this story the dad is abusive to the mother and could be to the children if the mother didn't step in. But sometimes the dad is kind and fun to be with. How does a child process this? Great story!