Controversial Books

"Faithful Elephants, A True Story of Animals, People and War" By: Yukio Tsuchiya

Grade Level: 5th Grade and above
Ranking: 5/5
Illustrations: Ted Lewin

"Faithful Elephants, A True Story of Animals, People and War" was one of the most emotional books I have ever read. This story is about a zoo in Japan that is forced to kill all of their animals because of strict commands from the army. They feared that if enemy bombings hit the zoo then the wild and dangerous animals would be released into the community. I think that this book is very powerful and emotional; Yukio goes into amazing detail about the hardships that the animal trainers endured while putting down the creatures that they have connected with so deeply over the years. When the author describes how the elephants were still trying to do their tricks for the trainers even on their death beds completely broke my heart. While this book may be too emotional for younger elementary students I think that for older students it would be a good way to address serious issues through a concept that they would understand such as animals in a zoo. The sadness that is brought upon the animal trainers represents the friends and families of those who have loved ones at war. I think that stories like these allow students to appreciate their lives and to understand their emotions. Also this gives the teacher an opportunity to relate the hardships of war to something that the students can connect with.

"Tico and the Golden Wings" By: Leo Lionni

Grade Level: 2nd Grade and above
Ranking: 2/5
Illustrations: Leo Lionni

I enjoyed the message that was portrayed at the beginning of "Tico and the Golden Wings" when his friends accepted him even though Tico didn't have wings like the rest of the birds. However, once the Wishingbird gave Tico a new set of golden wings his friends wouldn't accept him because Tico wanted to be different. It is expressed that being different is not a good thing and that unless you fit into the crowd you will not be accepted by society. I think that this is not a positive message to portray to students, especially at an age where they are so subject to outside influence. And while it was generous that Tico did give away his golden wings to help out others it seems that the only reason he did is because underneath he had black wings just as his friends. This suggests that genuine generosity isn't common; also I think that this was only reinforced when Tico's friends only allowed him to join their society when his wings were black again. I think that if I did use this book in my classroom it would be as an example of how to not treat people and how individuality should be valued, and uniqueness is extraordinary.