Tolstoy Would Be Happy

By Linda Halfpop – Guest Writer

“The one who gets wisdom loves life; the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper.” Proverbs 19:8

The other day during ELA class, we were having what we call a Jigsaw interaction with the students where they break into groups and collaborate their work. This particular exercise was to tell each other about a true story they each had just read in short story form. This is how students learn to comprehend what they are reading and then explain or summarize it to others. Each participant had different stories so they were not explaining the same story to their group.

While roaming the room and listening intently to their conversation, I happened upon a book on one of the desks. It was “War and Peace” by Leo Tolstoy. I stopped in mid-walk and picked it up, “Who is reading this?” I asked. One girl raised her hand and all I could do was look at her. I probably should have genuflected!

These are 6th graders, not high school or college students. This particular book is required reading in at least high school or college. I read it as a junior in high school…all 1,225 pages that I agonized through one summer.

I walked over to this child and proceeded to interview her:

Me: “You really are reading this?”

Student: “Yes, Mrs. Halfpop.”

Me: “Have you read ‘Anna Karenina or Crime and Punishment’ “?

Student: “No, not yet, but they are on my list.”

Me: “Sweetheart are you aware these are usually required reading in at least high school level?”

Student: “Yes Mrs. Halfpop, I wanted to get ahead of it so that I would have a start once I reach high school.”

Me: “Okay, might I suggest you google the summary of this book first so that you can follow along with the storyline since it involves 5 families and over 580 characters that populate this story.”

Student: “Yes, I know, it’s the second time around that I am reading it.”

Note: This book has been called “One of Humanities greatest Treasures”, and involves 5 families against a background of Napoleon’s invasion of Russia. This is heavy reading. This child is in 6th grade…

Don’t let anyone tell you that the present generation is not up to par or able to do great things in their future. I am surrounded by tiny Einstein’s and enjoying every moment of it!