Whether you're a teacher presenting a lesson on the Cold War, the Berlin Wall, or totalitarian regimes or a parent wanting to give your child an engaging historical autobiography to read, The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain would make an excellent choice. For more information about the book, read my review and find links to other blog reviews here.
As I mentioned in my review, I think older kids (9 and up) would get the most benefit and understanding out of the book, but don't let that sway you from telling the story to younger kids. I even recommend using it as a supplementary resource for teenagers who are learning about the Cold War. Don't let the fact that it's a "picture book" sway you from using this with older kids because the colors and presentation are mature, and there is a great deal of basic information about the era.
Here are a few learning resources you can use to expand upon the book.
First, check out this teacher's guide from Peter Sis's website.
Next, here some websites where you can get more information about the Cold War and the Berlin Wall:
Finally, here are a few books for children age 9 and up:
- When the Wall Came Down: The Berlin Wall and the Fall of Soviet Communism (New York Times Books)
- Escape to West Berlin
- The Fall Of The Berlin Wall
- Spying And the Cold War
- The Cold War (20th Century Perspectives)
Wow, this looks fantastic. My husband grew up in Eastern Europe, and we definitely want our son to understand how that was. He's way too young now, only 20 months, but you really think ahead to discussions like that.
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