Author: Michael O. Tunnell
Title: Candy Bomber
Illustrator: N/A
Readability score: Grade 3 to Grade 6
Genre: Non-fiction
Subgenre: Biography
Theme: From little things come big things.
Primary and secondary characters: Lt. Halvorsen, Peter Zimmerman, Mercedes Simon, Captain Eugene Williams
Awards: Orbis Pictus Honor Book
Date of Publication: 2010
Publishing company: Charlesbridge
ISBN number: 978-1-58089-336-7
West Berlin was slowly starving as supplies ran out following World War II. The United States and Britain worked together to bring supplies by airlift to the people. The U.S. called it Operation Vittles. Lt. Gail Halverson was a pilot who helped dropped food in Berlin. One day, as he was touring the broken and battered city, he came across a group of children staring at him from across a fence. The children looked hungry. He spoke kindly to them. All he had to offer them was two pieces of gum. As he gave them the gum, he got an idea. He would try to drop gum and chocolate for the children. He went back to his fellow pilots and told them the plan. They all gathered as much candy as they could find and made parachutes to drop it in. The next day, they dropped the candy. The children were so happy. Lt. Halverson and his friends continued to drop candy that was donated by fellow soldiers. Pretty soon, candy was being shipped in from all over to send to the children. Even adults in Berlin wanted candy. Letters started pouring in asking for candy. The United States started sending candy. Lt. Halverson brought joy to the children from Berlin who had lost so much. He won many awards and continued to help children in need. He sent candy to Serbia during the conflict there in the early 90s. His foundation sent candy to Polynesian children at Christmas. In 2008, he went back to Germany to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Airlift.
I would read excerpts from this chapter book aloud to my students, allowing them to get the idea of the Candy Bomber and what he did for the German children. Afterwards, I would ask the children to pretend that they are living in Germany after the war and want some candy. I would give them time to contemplate this. Then, I would ask them to write a letter to Lt. Halverson asking him to send candy. They can be specific and describe what their house looks like and what kind of candy to bring. The letters may also include pictures. The students must also give their appreciation as well, just as the German children did 65 years ago.
West Berlin was slowly starving as supplies ran out following World War II. The United States and Britain worked together to bring supplies by airlift to the people. The U.S. called it Operation Vittles. Lt. Gail Halverson was a pilot who helped dropped food in Berlin. One day, as he was touring the broken and battered city, he came across a group of children staring at him from across a fence. The children looked hungry. He spoke kindly to them. All he had to offer them was two pieces of gum. As he gave them the gum, he got an idea. He would try to drop gum and chocolate for the children. He went back to his fellow pilots and told them the plan. They all gathered as much candy as they could find and made parachutes to drop it in. The next day, they dropped the candy. The children were so happy. Lt. Halverson and his friends continued to drop candy that was donated by fellow soldiers. Pretty soon, candy was being shipped in from all over to send to the children. Even adults in Berlin wanted candy. Letters started pouring in asking for candy. The United States started sending candy. Lt. Halverson brought joy to the children from Berlin who had lost so much. He won many awards and continued to help children in need. He sent candy to Serbia during the conflict there in the early 90s. His foundation sent candy to Polynesian children at Christmas. In 2008, he went back to Germany to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Airlift.
I would read excerpts from this chapter book aloud to my students, allowing them to get the idea of the Candy Bomber and what he did for the German children. Afterwards, I would ask the children to pretend that they are living in Germany after the war and want some candy. I would give them time to contemplate this. Then, I would ask them to write a letter to Lt. Halverson asking him to send candy. They can be specific and describe what their house looks like and what kind of candy to bring. The letters may also include pictures. The students must also give their appreciation as well, just as the German children did 65 years ago.
No comments:
Post a Comment