BOXES FOR KATJE

BOXES FOR KATJE

Module 2

SLIS 5420/Module 2/June 14-20

Book for this module

BOXES FOR KATJE by Candace Fleming

Bibliographic

Fleming,. (2003). BOXES FOR KATJE. Canada: Douglas & McIntyre Ltd..

Summary
Boxes for Katje is a story of a young girl and her family's survival after the war. The devastation from the war left everyone very poor and with little to work with and rebuild. American children back in the states begin to pull resources together and sent it to the children in Dutch. Katje was a recipient of a box and begin to develop a relationship with her American friend. They communicated by letter and many people begin to give donations to Katje's friend, and the American girl would send over all the boxes. These boxes sustained this Dutch community during the hard times and later when Katje could repay her, Katje and her mom sent as a gift to America tulip bulbs from Katje.

My Impression
Boxes for Katje reminds me of the Samaritan Purse of children from American collecting items and sending them to other children around the world. In the book Boxes for Katje a relationship is built and lives are changed and sustained in a time that is critical for even the smallest individual to survive. The book is a reminder that we can still help others whether big or small. I love the impact this book made on me letting me know that if I am willing I can make a change whether big or small.

Reviews
From Booklist
K-Gr. 3. In May 1945, a Dutch girl named Katje is thrilled to receive a letter and a package of socks, soap, and chocolate from Rosie, a girl she doesn't know who lives in Mayfield, Indiana. The kids start to exchange letters, and when Rosie's family member learn of Holland's severe post-war deprivations, they enlist Mayfield residents to send food and clothes to Katje, who generously shares the gift with others in her community. The sense of suffering isn't strong here, in part because the Dutch townspeople are almost always depicted as smiling about the packages. But the story is still moving, and Dressen-McWueen's lively illustrations, in colored pencil, oil pastel, and acrylic, pack lots of color, pattern and historical details onto every expansive page. Fleming based the book on her mother's experience, which she describes in an author's note; in the real-life story, however, adults, not children, orchestrated the events, a finding that may be a little disappointing to kids who took the book, with its specific dates, town names and heroic, generous children, as straight fact. Kathleen Odean Copyright American Library Association. All rights reserved.

Use in Library Setting
This book can be use to explain a history lesson of how other people live in other parts of the world and the cause and effect on war. It can also be a great discussion for items that we take for granted how others can benefit from them.