Rasmussen, R. (2003). When Bad Things Happen. Canada: National Library of Canada Cataloging in Publication. This book was a gift to me from my daughter, she had met with the author and had a chat about my goals and aspirations. I think she chose quiet well. The picture on the front of the book, i... more

Rasmussen, R. (2003). When Bad Things Happen. Canada: National Library of Canada Cataloging in Publication. This book was a gift to me from my daughter, she had met with the author and had a chat about my goals and aspirations. I think she chose quiet well. The picture on the front of the book, illustrated by the author herself, depicts the twin towers burning and a child looking out an apartment window and seeing two stars. Summary/Overview of book When Bad Things Happen is a story written from a child's point of view. On September 11, 2001 there happened a tragic event that most of us as a people will never forget. This book is written for the children who lost parents, family, and loved ones; they need this type of support. This book offers children a way to deal with death, acceptance, and healing. Roberta has lost her parents, and she feels that she being lied to about it and that her Mom and Dad will come and take her home. Mrs. Preston is a grief counselor and she wants Roberta to write in a journal. Roberta is eight years old. Roberta blames herself; she bargains that if she did things better maybe her parents could come home tonight. Roberta goes through shock. Why did the towers fall? Why did God let it happen? Why are people so mean? She gets angry and depressed. She starts to hate all Muslims. Once Roberta starts to accept the loss of her parents, Roberta asks God if she could love her Auntie and Uncle. Specific quotes from text "New York is sad, it's raining today. When I opened this book I didn't know what to say. Mom was in tower one, and Dad in the other. After they fell down-there is just me and my brother." (p. 5) "But tears wouldn't come and I don't know why. This wasn't really happening, and I wasn't really here. What if Mom and Dad were lost-then I felt a tear." (p. 15) " I told Mrs. Preston all Muslims should die. She said I was wrong and I asked her why?" (p. 21) "Today I was wondering - would it hurt Mom and Dad? If I loved Auntie and Uncle - would it make them sad? (p. 25 ) "I see two stars twinkling, shiny and bright. The left one is Mom and the right one is Dad." (p. 29) My questions, inferences, visual images, thoughts, reactions, feelings, opinions When the issue is death and loss, it is understood that for a child it is very hard to handle the feelings of hate and anger, denial and blaming. What I liked is that Roberta got to express those thoughts and feelings on paper. I think that it is the author's experience with the loss of her father at the tender age of six that helped to express these feelings from a child's point of view. Re-evaluating the story with reference to values, ideals, beliefs, and/or institutions of Aboriginal peoples The issue is death, a tragic one, as a child has lost both of her parents. In this family, the Auntie and Uncle play a huge role in Roberta's and her little brother's life. Extended families are there to offer support, as well as a sense of belonging. Death belongs to all of mankind, which is one of the reasons I chose this book. I felt that even though the author is non-Native, death does not elude any one of us. In fact death brings to mind that loss of family seems to always bring us together for a short time. We gather strength together through our sorrows. My transformed thoughts: What is not written in the story but now I am thinking about... I think that the author had one of the greatest guides helping her write this book for children-her heart. I feel that I can be more comfortable listening or talking about death with children or with anyone. I think that writing this book opens a place that we know we should accept and do. I like the fact that Roberta was able to make a friend who was Muslim at school. The history of tragic losses and death for Native People has been very high. Within Native families, children can experience loss due to death every week .