Book Reviews
Zebra and Other Stories by Chaim Potok
Reading level: Grades 6–9
Some readers may already be familiar with Chaim Potok, who is probably best known for his novel The Chosen, which depicts a friendship between two teenagers. Potok's new book, Zebra and Other Stories, is a thoughtful collection of short stories for young adults.
The issues the adolescent characters face range in complexity. Whether they are about overcoming an injury, grieving after the death of a parent, or dealing with bullying and harassment, these stories provide a glimpse into the lives of people facing change. Potok's characters deal with some of the first "adult" issues they've ever encountered, and the experience broadens their perspectives.
Several of the stories in the collection work well with the SECOND STEP curriculum. In "Moon," a young Pakistani boy expands the selfish protagonist's worldview. The story "Nava" portrays a girl resisting peer pressure to do drugs and shows how she deals with the subsequent bullying and harassment.
Empathy is a common theme throughout the stories. Potok shows compassion for his characters and engenders empathy in his readers. The issues the characters face are grounded in reality, making this book a resource for students challenged with similar problems.
