Customer Reviews

The Wall (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition) (Reading Rainbow Books (Pb))

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Eve Bunting masterfully captures a somber, quiet visit to "The Wall" from a young boy's perspective. With deceptively simple language, Bunting paints a cold barren day, as father and son go to visit "grandfather's wall." The boy's youthful curiosity is carefully balanced against his dad's sobering pilgrimage.

For many years, this has been my read-aloud of choice for primary grade classes in our school library just prior to Veteran's Day. The children always sit in thoughful stillness, often asking insightful questions about the wall, the war, the wheelchair-bound soldier without any legs in the story, or the grandma and grandpa aged couple tearfully hugging each other.

Not all stories that children hear need to be happy, silly or simply for entertainment. Sadness, loss of a loved one, and unfortunately war, are a part of reality. This exceptional short story is a slice of life that can be meaningfully shared with children, to explore the emotions surrounding this part of reality.

The Vietnam Memorial as seen through the eyes of a child. No one I knew fought in Vietnam--until I was married. My husband was born while his father was recovering from wounds in a Red Cross Hospital in Vietnam. Until reading this book, it never occurred to me that it could have been my own father-in-law's name on the Wall (beside many of his friends) and that it could have been my children standing there confused, looking for the name of the Grandfather they never knew. What a powerfully moving experience. This book should be shared with both children and adults.

Over a quarter of a century has passed since the U.S. involvement in Vietnam came to an end, yet the effects of that conflict are still etched throughout the fabric of our modern day society. But another generation has been born in the time since the fighting ended. Many have never heard of Vietnam let alone the fighting that went on there. How does one introduce a child to a subject that is still as electrified as the Vietnam War? Perhaps by reading THE WALL with them.

THE WALL is simply a story about a young man who takes his son to the Vietnam War Memorial to find the name of his dad. The young boy's grandfather died in the conflict and at the end of the book the reader knows the boy's head is full of questions. The story doesn't answer these questions, but allows children to verbalize these questions themselves: Why are there flags all around here? Why did that teacher say the Wall belongs to all of us? Why does that soldier not have any legs? The story can also be used as in introduction for not only the Vietnam War, but to also talking about war in general. The illustrations and the story are molded together perfectly into one beautiful harmony. Sometimes kids will be anxious during a story, but when reading this story most kids will remain completely still, taking in the simple, yet profound story. This is a great book to read to children not just during Memorial Day, Veteran's Day, or Independence Day, but at any time during the year.

Eve Bunting has done an outstanding job of capturing the readers emotions regarding the Vietnam Memorial Wall. I could feel for the father and the others that toured the exhibit and found myself crying as I read it to a faculty. A teacher who was a former vet, was so touched, he read it and found himself reliving experiences. Beautiful - brings out the sorrows of war, which we haven't experienced as much of since that time. I recommend this book for anyone - vet or not. Eve Bunting has done an excellent job bringing reality and hearbreak to the book as well as a sense of respect for those who fought there.

This book touched my heart. It is very moving and really captures the story in a way children can understand. One of the best children's books I've ever read, and the only one I've ever seen about the subject of the Wall or veterens. It is a lovely tribute.

This is a very tasteful "Vietnam war" book for young (& older) people. There are very few children's books which are age-appropriate on the subject of Vietnam and wars. Eve Bunting works her magic as an author to convey a very touching story (I had to grab the Kleenex box!). Her book will help teach the upcoming generations about the sacrifices that all military veterans made by serving America and the impacts on their families. The story explains the significance of the Vietnam Memorial Wall and the different expressions of tributes left by family members.The illustrator's (Ronald Himler) pictures are soft but powerful in their visual impact. The illustrations compliment Eve Bunting emotional writing. This book should be in every public school and public library! As an elementary school teacher, I highly recommend this book!

I am a sixth grade social studies teacher. Yes, this book is below the average sixth grade reading level. However, I read this along with other books, orally, to my classes at the beginning of the school year. It gives the students a sneak preview as to what their studies are going to be all about. It also encourages the idea that history is not so bad after all. It should encourage them to read about history and may even introduce the genre to some students. The book also provides realism to the plight of the Vietnam War. It is a good book experience for all who read and/or listen to it.

This is the first children's literature book to make me cry. The text is well-written. Provides a valuable teaching resource with regards to the Vietnam War and the after effects of it.

Eve Bunting does a wonderful job enlightening true feelings of love for a loved one who has died in the Vietnam war. The boy's father is proud of his Dad for fighting in the war and for the country. The boy wishes he could have seen his grandfather. The boy dreams of long walks with his grandfather down by the river. In this realistic contemporary fiction story primary students will be motivated to learn more about the topic of war and relationships between a father and son. The story is written in first person point of view. The mood of the characters and illustrations are expressive and genuine which was what the author tried to get across to the reader. All the characters are round individuals. The characters are seeking solutions that are all around them. The answer to relationships, kindness of people, suffering from loosing a loved one, and the desire to want what we can't have. The actions from the characters were authentic and pulled in the reader`s attention. The illustrator uses watercolor paints to express the dramatic feelings of the characters and the events. Children will sit still to absorb the emotions and relate to in some way the unanswered questions the boy has. Perhaps students can engage in a writing activity on how you would feel when visiting the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. Teachers can implement this great book for thematic units and introduction lessons for the Vietnam War as well as Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Veteran's Day. I really enjoyed this book as a teacher and I know my students will too.

"The Wall" is a patriotic book. It was easy to read; that made me understand how the Vietnam War turned out in the end.

The boy and his father try to find the grandfather's name on the Vietnam Wall memorial when they pass many other names. When the father reads the names on the wall, the boy imagines each name as a real person, standing next to him and talking to him.

If you are interested in the Vietnam War and how people sacrificed their lives fore us, then "The Wall" would be a good book for you to read.

I gave this four stars out of five because I found the book to be very moving. If you like books about wars, then you'll like "The Wall."