By Maryanne Saxon
The 5th grade students at Morristown’s Thomas Jefferson School got a surprise after they finished reading Kate DiCamillo’s The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane.
The one and ONLY Edward Tulane, a finely clad china rabbit that inspired the book, paid a surprise visit recently. It was as if Taylor Swift had hopped in to say hello.
There was a meet and greet with the beloved celebrity, opportunities for photographs and a swarm of excited 5th graders.
Unlike most main characters who end their days when the last page is turned… Edward has been able to continue his journey long after his life in print.
When the one and ONLY Edward comes to visit, he is no imposter. Schools plan a date and reserve time with the doll. A scrapbook of all his new adventures also comes along, and students have the chance to add to his chronicles.
After his visits, Edward and the book find their way back to Kate DiCamillo so that she may read of his new adventures… perhaps a sequel is in the works?
TJ 5th graders prepared for the visit with an Edward Tulane Tea. Students nibbled on snacks, discussed the book and, of course, gazed at the one and only Edward Tulane.
The students were not the only ones dazzled by the visit. Megan Lucignani, one of the teachers who organized the visit, loved the chance to reconnect with the literature.
“Edward is such a special character in so many ways,” Lucignani said.
“As we traveled along with him on his miraculous journey, he taught us life lessons on love, hope and friendship. Through rich discussions, the students learned that the heart may break and break, and it lives by breaking. When one opens his/her heart to love, the journey begins…”
During the tea, students viewed a video of an interview with the author. Winner of a Newbery Medal in 2004 for The Tale of Despereaux, and author of amazing tales like Because of Winn-Dixie and The Tiger Rising, DiCamillo is a wonderful resource for all budding writers and readers.
“If you want to be a writer, write a little bit every day. Pay attention to the world around you. Stories are hiding, waiting everywhere. You just have to open your eyes and your heart.” –author Kate DiCamillo.
Fifth grade Language Arts teacher John Babula is a fan who looks forward to teaching DiCamillo’s book each year.
“It is just amazing how year after year, new students come into class and yet The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane is able to capture their imaginations and their hearts. The book is timeless,” Babula said.
“Even more impressive is the depth of conversation surrounding the book. It just goes to show the power good writing can have!”
Although some may find this shocking, Edward Tulane was NOT the most impressive part of the event. Yes, he is a very FINE rabbit. But the responses from the students’ discussions stood out even more.
In groups of five or six students, the classes came together to share questions and offer interpretations and reactions to the literature:
Who do you think Edward loved the most? Who was his worst enemy? Why did Edward’s head have to shatter for him to learn to love?
These questions and many more were met with insightful and thought-provoking responses.
Alice Didona and Janet Hill named Lolly the worst enemy in Edward’s journey:
“Lolly was jealous of Edward because her parents were treating Edward like a baby. She also may have blamed her parents for the death of her little brother and took Edward away from them to hurt them.”
“A Lot of what happened to Edward was the result of bad karma,” said Jonathon Alvarado
Asked how she feels now that the book is over and Edward will not be in her life, Sarah Thabit
replied: “ I am thankful. I learned that life may not be as easy as you thought and finding love may not be as easy as you thought.”
It seems that Edward finally has answered the age-old question: What Becomes of the Broken Hearted?
Anyone who has read Edward’s tumultuous tale knows that love seeps through the cracks and begins to grow!
