Search
×

Sign up

Use your Facebook account for quick registration

OR

Create a Shvoong account from scratch

Already a Member? Sign In!
×

Sign In

Sign in using your Facebook account

OR

Not a Member? Sign up!
×

Sign up

Use your Facebook account for quick registration

OR

Sign In

Sign in using your Facebook account

Shvoong Home>Books>THE HEART OF A SCHOOL BOY Review

THE HEART OF A SCHOOL BOY

Book Review   by:chudamani     Original Author: EDMONDO DE AMICI
ª
 
This is the story of a young boy in a Turin school in Italy told my Edmondo in the form of a diary. The author tries to illustrate the significance of consideration for others who belong to a different race, color or culture. It is true that children are 'sane' and have no 'discrimination'. They play happily together oblivious of any differences. It is only the elders that sow the seeds of discrimination and prejudice in young minds. This book is a collection of true stories telling us the story of Nelli, a hunch backed boy, who becomes a friend of an older boy named Garrone. While Nelli is thin and, not so strong, he also has breathing difficulties. He is teased in school on the first day because of his hunchback and gets beaten with schools bags. Nelli never retaliates nor does he tell his mother about it. He keeps it to himself because he does not want his mother to feel hurt. While one of the ragging incidents when Nelli is being beaten and he tries to protect himself by taking hold of a pole with his long, thin hands, he is laughed at by his peers. It is at this time that his friend Garro0ne crosses his big arm on his chest and shoots such an expressive glance around and makes it clear that he is ready to stand up for Nelli.It brings home to the minds of readers that 'racisim' is present only among children whose self-awareness and awareness of others has been distorted by adults around them. Racial bigotry and intolerance still exists, but is masked. We may be trying to just grasp the depth of the hurt and pain that it causes to people who are different.
Published: July 29, 2005   
Please Rate this Review : 1 2 3 4 5
Translate Send Link Print
X

.