|
They Cage the Animals at Night (Signet) (平装)
by Jennings Michael Burch
| Category:
Teens, Biography, Foster kid |
| Market price: ¥ 88.00
MSL price:
¥ 78.00
[ Shop incentives ]
|
| Stock:
Pre-order item, lead time 3-7 weeks upon payment [ COD term does not apply to pre-order items ] |
MSL rating:
 Good for Gifts |
| MSL Pointer Review:
Heart-wrenching autobiography; a boy's lost childhood; a book about family and friends. The most important is - courage to survive. |
| If you want us to help you with the right titles you're looking for, or to make reading recommendations based on your needs, please contact our consultants. |
|
| |
AllReviews |
1 2   | Total 2 pages 12 items |
|
|
Sandra Peters (MSL quote), USA
<2007-02-09 00:00>
This is the story of Jennings Michael Burch and it is not an easy book to read. It tells of a young boy's determination to survive despite abandonment, physical abuse and humiliation after being left by his ailing mother at an orphanage. He then experiences a variety of foster homes and some of these accounts will bring more than a single tear to your eye.
During his stay at an orphanage, the Sisters would allow the children to choose a stuffed animal to take to bed with them at night as a source of comfort. Goodness only knows, it was their only small comfort - every other aspect was a child's worst nightmare! However, in the wee hours of the morning before the children awoke, the animals would quickly be gathered up and locked away (caged) and this is the source of the book's title. David's only source of acceptance, love and understanding comes from "Doggie", a tattered stuffed dog. Your heart will cry for this little boy whose only desire is to please, be loved and be wanted. The story does have a happy ending, if such stories ever really do. Despite all odds, Michael does survive, along with "Doggie". The hurt, rejection and loneliness felt as an abused child never disappear. The wounds heal, the heart forgives, but the mind never forgets. Anyone who has experienced abuse as a child, whether it be physical, sexual, emotional or verbal, will be able to relate only too well to the story of little Jennings Michael Burch. Often, reading the stories of other victims of abuse, help the adult survivor to realize they are not alone. If you have never experienced abuse, you will count your blessings that you have never had to live each and every day in a world of constant fear and rejection.
|
|
|
Petersen (MSL quote), USA
<2007-02-09 00:00>
I finished this book at one sitting because I could not put it down. It was one of the most touching stories I ever read. It tells the story of a little boy named Jennings. His mother has health problems, so he and his brothers spend much of their young lives in orphanages and foster homes. Jennings is seperated from his mom and his brothers, and sent to cold institutions that are often run by unfeeling administrators who dole out painful and humiliating punishments for small, insignificant offenses such as wetting the bed. He is lent out to foster homes where he is ignored, beaten, and otherwise mistreated. All this moving around causes him to fall behind in his schooling. Because of this, his fellow students and even his teachers mock and deride him, telling him he is stupid. What little time he does spend at home is disrupted by quarreling older brothers, a sick mother, a permanently hospitalized brother, a couple of drunken brothers, and a constant lack of money. And even with all he went through, he didn't give up. The book is very well written, and will touch the heart of anyone who loves children. I think that everone should read this inspiring true story.
|
|
|
A reader (MSL quote), USA
<2007-02-09 00:00>
They Cage the Animals at Night is a terrific and emotional story about Jennings Michael Burch, a young boy who learned to survive in a cold, frightening world. His mother was too sick to care for him and left him in a series of orphanages and institutions. Life in the orphanages was brutal, punishments were cruel, rules were strict, and Jennings was unable to do anything about it. Through all this time, Jennings was taught not to become close to people, because the ones you love, always leave you. At these times in the book I wanted to jump in, lead Jennings on the right track, and tell him what he believed was wrong.
He bounced from home, to orphanages, to abusive foster homes, to good foster homes, to living at the zoo and rummaging through the trash for food. He could not rely on family and friends because they all abandoned him in times when he really needed them. Four of his five other brothers were going through similar times so they had no way to help Jennings.
A tattered stuffed dog named Doggie, which Jennings stole from his first foster home, was the only friend that stayed with him through the harsh times. He was the only friend he could count on through his lost and broken childhood. The story was based on sadness, love, survival, family, and friends that left me with a new look on a life I could not even imagine existed.
|
|
|
Kate (MSL quote), USA
<2007-02-09 00:00>
They Cage the Animals at Night by Jennings Michael Burch is an autobiography of an eight-year-old boy who faced the perils of an insecure childhood, in everyway possible. Jennings was placed in several children's institutions due to his mother being sick and his father a drunken bum that he'd never met. He was separated from his five other brothers, and placed in orphanages, as a part-timer instead of the orphans (a.k.a. lifers) He bounced from home, to orphanages, to abusive foster homes, to good foster homes, to living at the zoo and rummaging through the trash for food. Through all this time, Jennings was taught not to become close to people, because the ones you love, always leave you. Jennings was taught many other lessons; unfortunately he learned them all the hard way. This story will break your heart, and yet at the same time fill you with hope for him in the future as you compare him to his brothers.
I loved this book. I read it as a fifth grader, and then again in high school. With both reads I learned something. The pages of this autobiography made tears come to my eyes, because Jennings Michael Burch brings you into the story, and back to the memories of your own childhood. You can't believe that the days you were twirling around in your princess costume, Jennings was sleeping in the cold bushes of the Bronx zoo by himself.
|
|
|
A reader (MSL quote), USA
<2007-02-09 00:00>
They Cage the Animals at Night is the most wonderful book ihave ever read. It was told from the point of view of a 10-year old.Jennings has been through so much in his life. He loves his mother and expecially loves his brother jerome. Whenever he got the news that his mother was sick and he had to go to an orphanage or a home he had the gut feeling that he wouldn't be leaving soon. He has been beat several times. He hasnt cried a lot for the number of times he's been beat. I just finished reading this book. Currently In my english class we are doing a unit on heroes. Our job was to pick 10 heroes. I chose Jennigs as a hero because he is young and has been through heck and back so many times. Look how much he cried. he hasnt cried a lot. He has courage to leave the homes and run away. I klnow for sure that I wouldn't do that. If I were that young, I would be so afraid of the outside world to runaway by myslef.
|
|
|
Anne (MSL quote), USA
<2007-02-09 00:00>
My twelve year old daughter read this remarkable book over a vacation. So awe inspiring that she cried throughout most of the vacation. She finished it and I picked it up. Jennings is a wonderful innocent being who as a child, gave into to his surroundings because he had no choice. I cried throughout the book also, hardly ever puting it down the two days it took me to read it. It's a story of hardship, emotional abuse and neglect by teachers as well as clergy.
Jennings could have easily turned out to be on the outskirts of life, drifting in and out of prison. Instead he gave us this book and a hard look at a life that most of us have never seen. A wonderfully poignant and terrible sad book at the same time.
|
|
|
Lauren (MSL quote), USA
<2007-02-09 00:00>
I enjoyed the book, They Cage the Animals at Night. This autobiographical story is about a young child who is seperated from his brothers and sent to different orphanages, becasue their mother is sick. The nuns are very strict and have no sympathy for an eight year old boy, Jennings. It is about Jennings and his struggles through a series of diffeent orphanage homes, feeling lonely, and frightened. He held on to a stuffed animal who he named Doggie. This book is, as the back cover explains, "The triumphant tale of a little boy who finally gained the courage to reach out for love- and found it waiting for him".. Jennings' unyielding spirit and hope are seemingly contagious as he brings the reader into this brave boys childhood. While reading this autobiographical you will be able to feel sympathy for the kid, wanting to help. And you will feel as if you were going through the experiences with him- the hurt and pain. It is very well written with good details. I am very glad i chose to read this book, and would recommend it to anyone.
|
|
|
A reader (MSL quote), USA
<2007-02-09 00:00>
I miss reading this book. As the adoptive mom to a 9 year old boy who previously lived in 3 different orphanages, I didn't just read this book. I felt this book deep in my soul, and cried during much of the reading of it. Because of Jennings I feel I have a better understanding (not just in my head, but in my heart) of my own son. I cannot thank Jennings Burch enough for the courage to write this book. You are an inspiration and a gift!
|
|
|
A reader (MSL quote), USA
<2007-02-09 00:00>
I first read this book when I was about 11 yrs. old! 6yrs. later I recieve the same feeling. I could not imagine how ayoung boy can be put through so much and still survive. If you really think about it there are children put through this child abuse everyday. Luckily it wasn't you! When I began reading this book I could never put it down. Now I have friends in line waiting to read it so they can experience this life touching story. It makes you view life in a different prospective. I recommend this book to everybody.
|
|
|
Mommy King (MSL quote), USA
<2007-02-09 00:00>
I first read this book when I was 13, I'm now 27, and have read it at least once a year since. It never fails to pull at my heart. When I read this book, I get a horrible pit in my stomach, and I always cry. This is the true story of countless children, and especially since I've become a mother, this story has touched me especially deep. This should be a must read for ANYBODY, but especially to those thinking about adopting or fostering a child. These children have been through so much, and you can't read this book without feeling for them!
|
|
|
|
1 2 | Total 2 pages 12 items |
|
|
|
|
|
|
