The Enemy by Davide Cali and Cain and Abel by Sandy Eisenberg Sasso in 6th Grade

 I've been trying to find books that fit into our peace theme this year, and thought these two selections would be fitting choices to read to 6th graders. Although the book is called The Enemy and has a soldier on the cover, the author takes on some big questions, particularly whether or not war is necessary.

The story is narrated by one soldier, who spends his days waiting and hiding in one hole while his enemy is waiting and hiding in another hole.  The narrator is afraid to leave the hole or even make a fire to cook because the other soldier will see him. The first day of the war, the soldier was given a manual which describes the enemy as "a wild beast" who does not know mercy and he is instructed to kill the enemy before he is killed by him.

The soldier goes on to say that he's not sure why he is fighting, and that he thinks the war is pointless and must stop.  He admits that if the enemy wanted to end the war he would agree to it, but he doesn't feel he can be the one to stop first. This is the point I emphasize with the students.  Why can't the soldier initiate the peace? We discussed that it can be difficult to be the one to apologize or suggest a truce, but for there to be peace SOMEBODY has to take the initiative to reach out to the other party.

Then the narrator sneaks out of his hole and enters the hole of the enemy, who is not there.  But he sees photographs of the enemy's family, which surprises him.  It didn't occur to him that the enemy would have a family, just like he does. Turns out the enemy is in HIS hole, and they both decide at the same time to put a message in a bottle asking for a truce.  The story ends with the two message being tossed to one another.  A great message about the senselessness of war and that despite the violence that sometimes occurs in the world, there is always hope for a peaceful resolution.

Next we read a beautifully illustrated book called Cain and Abel: Finding the Fruits of Peace.  The story explains that in the beginning, God created trees that would produce different kinds of fruit on the same tree, but after Cain killed his brother Abel, the trees went into mourning and would only yield one type of fruit.

Through Sasso's words and Joani Keller Rothenberg's lovely acrylic paintings,  the story of the first brothers unwinds.  The brothers shared everything, from the fruits on the trees to their own hopes and dreams.  Cain was a farmer who harvested the fruits and vegetables, and Abel was a shepherd who guided the flocks of sheep and sheared their wool to make blankets.  The two began arguing over who God loved more, farmers or shepherds, which caused the brothers to become angry and they refused to speak to each other.

Already  jealous that maybe Abel is God's favorite, Cain becomes angry when one of Abel's sheep tramples on the land he is farming, and he loses his temper.  He hits Abel with a rock that he is holding, and he is devastated when he realizes that he has killed his brother.  He immediately is regretful and feels ashamed, and wishes he could take back his angry action.  It was a good opportunity to talk about controlling your feelings and ways to overcome anger without lashing out at somebody.

Lots of good discussion in this library class!