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Sevek - The Boy Who Refused to Die
 

 

Letters of Gratitude from Schools that Sidney has Visited

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Mother McAlley High School
   
 

Foster Middle School
Tulsa, OK
2005

My students have been greatly affected by the book, Sevek & the Holocaust.

When I read the book to my students they were astounded when they heard and read what Sevek went through to survive the Holocaust. I feel that the book, told as a personal narrative, is in a format that the students can relate to. We read other stories about people in the Holocaust, but Sevek's book is different. Sevek's trials happened to him at about the same age as my students are, so they were able to put themselves in Sevek's shoes and ask themselves, what they would do in his place.

We did several activities to coincide with the reading of Sevek & the Holocaust. Most notable is our culminating activity, which, after inspired by Sevek's book, the students developed, designed and presented a PowerPoint presentation on any aspect of the Holocaust which was relevant to the book.

The book provided the inspiration. If I had not had the student's read the book, they would not have had any excitement about the topic. Instead of receiving about a 60% return rate on students who do the project, I received a 90% return rate. 90% did the work and all of the work turned in was exemplary. I have never had that much return rate on any project I have assigned. It wasn't my doing either, it was the book.

The students have heard about the Holocaust and a few of them may have read information on Anne Frank. Though her story is inspiring, Sevek & the Holocaust is even more so because it goes into graphic detail about what Sevek went through and survived. The students couldn't believe how many times Sevek faced death and survived.

All in all, I will teach Sevek & the Holocaust every year I am a middle school teacher from now on.

Ambre Weston
Teacher
   
 

Bell School
Chicago, IL

Dear Sidney,

I started to write you a letter myself, letting you know how much you effected my students. In the end, their letters say it all.

They continue to talk about you every day, at school and at home. This past week, I had conferences with their parents, and many of the parents spoke about you as if they had met you personally. They feel as if they have.

I would like to echo-and reinforce-an idea that several of my students presented. You said, very clearly, that you speak for selfish reasons-not to make your listeners better people or to change the world. But the fact is, you have made these Children better people, and in that way you have changed the world. For that, there are not eloquent enough words of thanks.

I hope you will be able to speak to my future Classes. For now, I wish you continuing healing and peace.

With respect and gratitude,

Suzanne Sapasnik