SuitabookRuth and the Night of Broken Glass
Emma Carlson Berne, Matt Forsyth
- Reading
- Consider reading together or checking in afterwards: the events include an arrest and a frightening night, while the story’s ending and the level of detail are unclear.
- Themes
- Persecution of Jewish people: Ruth’s Jewish family and community face increasing pressure, including the closure of her father’s shop and her school, and belittling on the street. The synopsis makes persecution central to the situation, but does not establish how the narrative evaluates or explains it.
- Family and community survival: Ruth, her family, Miriam and their community struggle to survive after Ruth’s father is arrested and during a dangerous night. Survival and an uncertain future frame the story; the synopsis does not establish the outcome or how support among the characters develops.
- Worth knowing
- The story includes antisemitic belittling, the closure of a shop and school, a break-in, an arrest, and a fiery night. These events may prompt discussion of persecution and danger.