Reading groups or “literacy circles” are another way to encourage students to dive beyond the surface of a text. After reading Night and The Book Thief our literacy circle met and discussed different themes prominent throughout both of the texts as well as our thoughts and opinions are certain events or different aspects of both texts. I found this discussion truly enriching as many themes and perspectives were brought to my attention that I had not even thought of. A prominent theme that our group discussed was the power of words. The most influential part of The Book Thief to me was when the narrator talks of Hitler’s power through words, he says that Hitler did not have to use guns or weapons to initiate fear within Germany as well as the surrounding areas all he had to use were words. The group I was part of also discussed the power of no words in Night as there was often a lot “unsaid” throughout the novel. Literacy circles would be a great way for students to read beyond the text and hear the perspective of others to truly enrich and deepen their understanding.
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Kristen ter SteegeHere you will find all my thoughts and ideas in response to Night by Elie Wiesel and The Book Thief Markus Zusak. |