In 2000, an empty suitcase arrives at a newly created Holocaust museum in Tokyo, Japan. The suitcase belonged to Hana Brady, a 13-year-old Jewish orphan. The curator, Fumiko Ishioka, and children visiting the museum were full of questions. Who was Hana? What happened to her? Why was she an orphan?
There are times when a story is so moving and touches your heart that it can be life-changing in some respects. I was 46 years old and a 5th grade teacher at Esther Jackson Elementary when I read the book "Hana's Suitcase" by Karen Levine, to my students. I'm not Jewish, but have a deep connection to this book and throughout my life I have always been amazed at what occurred during this terrible time in history.
This truly remarkable and amazing story teaches us about love, tragic loss, discrimination at it's worst and forgiveness. There are times in my career as an educator when I've made important connections with my students...this was one of those times. It wasn't about adding or subtraction fractions, sentence fragments or photosynthesis. It was a connection to humanity, that in spite of something so tragic, people are still able to endure and forgive. I am a composer and I was so moved by this story and how my students were also moved, I composed a piece of music...I guess it could be considered music as a mini documentary. It has been viewed by over 10,000 people worldwide.
For years I have wanted to start a Hana's Suitcase Book Club study group for students to take them on a journey full of mystery and memories, which come to life through perspectives of Fumiko, Hana, and later Hana's brother, George, who is alive and living in Canada. Photographs, film and original music composition, enhances this extraordinary story that bridges cultures, generations and time.
For more information about this Book Study Group, please visit
http://www.advantagelearningcoop.com/
or call Denise at 770-642-0004
Thursdays: 3:45 – 4:45pm | Jan 9, 16, 23 & 30
4 week workshop | class size limited to 8
4 Week Book Clubs of Hana's Suitcase will run every month through end of May.
Denise Detamore is the Founder/Director of Advantage Learning Cooperative Educational Center. A Center Dedicated to Educational Change, Awareness and Exceptional Programs of Study. http://www.advantagelearningcoop.com/
