Module 10: (October 25-31)Deedy, C. A. (2000). The Yellow Star: the Legend of King Christian X of Denmark. Atlanta, GA: Peachtree Publishers, Ltd.
Summary: This story is a legend based on the events of Nazi occupation during World War II in Denmark. King Christian X was real, though we learn that there is no proof he ever wore the Star of David as he did in the story. In the book, he does this after all the Danish-Jews are ordered to start wearing the star, and his act soon encourages the rest of Denmark to wear the star, showing that they are not divided by religious or ethnicity; they are all Danes.
My Impressions: I haven’t read many (if any) picture books on the Holocaust before, but I think books like these would be a great way to introduce such a dark time in recent history to young readers. Like Lois Lowry’s Number the Stars, this book focuses on the events in Denmark, though I think the latter really shows the depth of their efforts better than this book. They have different audiences, but I kind of wish this book had focused more on what the Danes actually accomplished in their efforts to smuggle their Jewish citizenry to safety over this legend, though I do appreciate the themes of community against inhumane treatment.
Reviews: “This fiction picture book makes clear that the legend about the King of Denmark wearing a Jewish star never happened. Her focus is on the country's wise, beloved king and his support of the Jews. When the Nazis order the Jews to wear yellow stars, the king rides out on his horse wearing a star. Then the Danish people wear stars, "And once again, in the country of Denmark, there were only Danes." Sorensen's large, double-page paintings, close-up portraits and street scenes, express the strong individuality and the community of the Danish people and their bond with their leader. Henry Sorensen's pictures dramatize the confrontation between the Nazi commander and the king, as sepia scenes show the terror that is happening in Poland and elsewhere. In contrast are depictions of the warmth and strength of the Danish people going about their business. Deedy's author's note is an essential part of the book, as it distinguishes legend from fact and states the moral issue for discussion: "What if we could follow that example today against violators of human rights?" –Hazel Rochman. Booklist. http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2548/merge_shared/details/RecordDetails.asp?item_uid=48415879&viewItemIndex=0&navPage=1&FullText=&BipAlertQueryString=&BipAlertDisplayQText=
Library Use: I don’t know if it would be possible, but it would be really cool to take this book and do some kind of multi-generational library program, or more feasibly a display on World War II. If the program was possible, it would be really interesting to have a presenter come in and talk about World War II for adults and older kids, while younger kids might be read this story. If doing the display, this book, along with Lowry’s Number the Stars, Bartoletti’s Hitler Youth: Growing up in Hitler’s Shadow, and books on various aspects on the war, including the internment of Japanese-Americans in America could be displayed, as well as movies and documentaries on the subject. If there was a lot of space and materials available, it would be great to include various items or photos from that time period as well.
Image retrieved from: http://www.amazon.com/Yellow-Star-Legend-Christian-Denmark/dp/1561452084/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1290838041&sr=1-1
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