Anybody know this book (for a 2nd grader)

DD was telling me today that her teacher is reading them a story about a boy whose sister got sick with a very bad cough. She was having a very hard time breathing, from coughing so much. He was holding her in his arms saying to her, "Just take a little breath", and then she died in his arms. I am appalled, that this is what they're reading in 2nd grade.

I want to look it up online, but I can't remember the name of the book. DD said it was "The something, something of (some boy's name I don't remember)". DD said the boy's name that was in the title, but I just don't remember it. Anybody have a clue?

Anybody know this book (for a 2nd grader)

Are they doing the state ELA modules? If you go to engageny.org, click on ELA and math modules on the left hand side, then go to ELA for second grade, it might be part of that.

Re: Anybody know this book (for a 2nd grader)

Re: Anybody know this book (for a 2nd grader)

OK, I just clarified with DD...it is The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. Anybody know anything about this book?

Re: Anybody know this book (for a 2nd grader)

I think your DD really misunderstood the book - it's about a toy rabbit.

LINK

That's not to say that no one died in the book, but it's a fantasy, she might have misinterpreted what happened.

Re: Anybody know this book (for a 2nd grader)

This book came out in 2006. I think it won a few awards. It is about a rabbit. If I remember correctly, it eventually loses its owner and makes it way back to the owner later in life. I don't remember anything about a sister dying in the brothers arms.

Re: Anybody know this book (for a 2nd grader)

Interesting book. I haven't heard about it, but here is a quote about the "death" part. Edward is the name of a glass bunny rabbit who goes through many "owners" & touches many lives. But I think your daughter got it right... it does have death in it...

"After many blissful years with Bull and Lucy, he finds himself tossed into other chance meetings. At last a little boy decides that Edward is just what his sick four-year-old sister needs. Sara Ruth makes Edward realize he has a heart because it breaks when she dies.

Bryce, Sara Ruth's brother, proves to be one of the most tender of characters when he turns Edward's broken body over to a doll maker after the rabbits' head has been shattered. What can the little boy do --- keep the broken rabbit, or let it be restored to make another child happy? Bryce's sacrifice, in the face of his grief over his sister, is very touching. Finally, in the shop of the doll maker, Edward is unexpectedly discovered by someone who has always loved him."

Message edited 3/20/2014 8:43:01 AM.

Re: Anybody know this book (for a 2nd grader)

I'm surprised she's reading this book in 2nd, although it is a great book. I read it with my fourth graders one year. The father also is a drunk who abuses/neglects the kids. The sister who dies has tb or something similar.

That section of the book is pretty heavy for little kids.

Message edited 3/20/2014 9:37:30 AM.

Anybody know this book (for a 2nd grader)

I never heard of the book and it appears it may be a little heavy. I can see why a parent would be upset about it.

But I don't see how it differs from Bambi or the Lion king when it comes to death. Or Annie where the orphans are mistreated and aren't the orphans treated like crap in Despicable Me? Idk but in my family we are open about death and childhood struggles.

Re: Anybody know this book (for a 2nd grader)

I used to read aloud this book when I taught 5th grade. It is a sweet story about a toy rabbit and the journey that he goes on to discover how to love and not be so selfish. There are parts, especially when the little girl dies, that are too heavy for a 2nd grader, but I think a lot of it would go over their heads. The part you are referring to is literally a page long. But for the character it's a turning point in his journey. The only think I question is why the teacher chose to read this to a second grade class.

Re: Anybody know this book (for a 2nd grader)

I teach 2nd but haven't used this book. I did a quick google search for it with "and 2nd grade" and lots of stuff came up. This is thanks to common core. Kids are expected to read books previously taught 2 grades later. They aren't always age appropriate IMO.

Re: Anybody know this book (for a 2nd grader)

Re: Anybody know this book (for a 2nd grader)

Re: Anybody know this book (for a 2nd grader)

this made me immediately think of The Velveteen Rabbit ... curious what others think about reading this to the same age group?

Anybody know this book (for a 2nd grader)

This is an amazing book. I read it to DS last year (age 6) and he loved it. Maybe a little sensitive and sad for a classroom reading though?

Anybody know this book (for a 2nd grader)

Is the teacher reading it to the class exclusively, or are the kids reading it too? I agree it's probably not a good reading choice for grade 2 but when I taught I often read books that the students could not have read on their own. I also read chapter books to my DD who is in 1st grade- Stuart Little and Charlotte's Web among others. She would not be able to read those books yet.

Re: Anybody know this book (for a 2nd grader)

I read this book to my 5th graders every year. It is an amazing book and the kids absolutely love it. I wouldn't read it to any kid below the 4th grade it really is such a great book but definitely too deep for little kids. I actually think adults should read it and I recommend it to all my students parents, families and friends.