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At the age of eight, the author began a three-year odyssey through a series of orphan asylums and foster homes, punctuated by episodes of living in the streets—a journey through a world of hostile strangers, abusive adults, and suspicious children.
Anonymous
Posted Thu Sep 18 00:00:00 EDT 2014
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Jennings Michael Burch, a young boy who learned to survive in a cold, frightening world. His mother was too sick to care for him and left him in a series of orphanages and institutions. Life in the orphanages was brutal, punishments were cruel, rules were strict, and Jennings was unable to do anything about it. Through all this time, Jennings was taught not to become close to people, because the ones you love, always leave you. At these times in the book I wanted to jump in, lead Jennings on the right track, and tell him what he believed was wrong.
He bounced from home, to orphanages, to abusive foster homes, to good foster homes, to living at the zoo and rummaging through the trash for food. He could not rely on family and friends because they all abandoned him in times when he really needed them. Four of his five other brothers were going through similar times so they had no way to help Jennings.
A tattered stuffed dog named Doggie, which Jennings stole from his first foster home, was the only friend that stayed with him through the harsh times. He was the only friend he could count on through his lost and broken childhood. The story was based on sadness, love, survival, family, and friends that left me with a new look on a life I could not even imagine existed. The book is set back in the 50s I believe, but because I work in the Foster Care system, I am interested in these type of stories. It was interesting to see that in 50 years, not much has changed in the foster care system, unfortunately. This was a good book to read and felt like an accurate portrayal of a kid stuck in foster care. I want to turn back to page one and read it all over again!
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sun Apr 09 00:00:00 EDT 2000
I love at the end of the book he commented, 'I adopted my daughter Carolyn, thats one less animal they'll have to cage and night.' it is the best book u will ever read!!!!!!!!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Fri Jan 10 00:00:00 EST 2014
Should be a must read for all Human Services workers.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Wed Dec 06 00:00:00 EST 2000
They Cage The Animals At Night is a wonderful book everyone should consider reading. It is one book that will make you realize just how good your life is. Jennings Micheal Burch is one little boy with alot of courage. This novel brings you through many emotions. It touched me and made me realize what some children go through.PLEASE REALIZE WHAT JENNINGS BURCH WENT THROUGH IN HIS CHILDHOOD LIFE!!!!!! THIS IS A MUST READ!!!!!!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Thu Nov 23 00:00:00 EST 2000
'They cage the animals at night' is definetly a book i would recommend to people of all ages. Jennings Michael Burch will make you laugh through your tears in this one. I read this book in less than 3 days because once i picked it up i just could not putit down. Knowing that the things mentioned in the book are accounts of his life makes it even better. If you are feeling down and think that your life is horrible and that you have it bad, reading this book will not only change your mind, it will give you back your will to live. It definetly made me feel as if my life was perfect. It is the best book you will ever read!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Thu Nov 09 00:00:00 EST 2000
I loved this book. It was very exciting and sometimes very sad. Once it came to a good part, something bad happens. I would read it over and over again. It has so much detail. I totally reccomend it.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Wed Sep 13 00:00:00 EDT 2000
I have no way to express the feelings that this book stirred to life. If I were to ever hear the name Jennings Michael Burch, I would think, a legendary hero. I will never know just exactly the way that he felt, but I can relate to his only friend, Doggy. When I was younger I used to have a Doggy too. I reccomend this book to anyone that thinks that they are being put into awful conditions, forced day-upon-day to give things up, They must read the powerful story.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Wed Jan 19 00:00:00 EST 2000
Everyone should read this book! The author describes every fact to the finest detail and it feels like you are actually there! I hope that everyone will read this book.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Mon Dec 27 00:00:00 EST 1999
Sure i read this book about a year ago but i still remember it, becuase it really is that good of a book. If i could i would give it more then 5 stars. But for all of you readers that have already read this book i would suggest you to read it again. B/c just reading it once is never enough, after every time you read it, it would get better and better
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Tue Dec 14 00:00:00 EST 1999
This book is the best one of the 20th Century. This is the real life account of Jennings Michael Burch. Through thick and thin, Jennings kept his faith in his family. My school read this book and Mr. Burch came to talk about his book last year. He even brought Doggie! So, if you buy any book for this year, this is it!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Mon Dec 20 00:00:00 EST 1999
I'm not much of a reader and when my 8th grade teacher announced that we would be starting a new book, I wasn't really up too it. But I must confess, after the first few pages, I couldn't put the book down. Although the story is a very sad one, it is the best book I've read yet.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Wed Jul 30 00:00:00 EDT 2014
Many smiles and tears. Didn't want to put it down.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Fri Dec 13 00:00:00 EST 2013
I CRIED DURING THIS BOOK. ITS SO GOOD BUT WHILE YIU READ YIUR THINKING(NOBODY DESRVS THIS MUCH PAIN IN THERE LIFE ) THEN YOU START TO CRY THEN THINGS GER GOD THEN BAD THEN WORSE THEN VERY VERY GOOD. This is my favorite book EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Wed Apr 23 00:00:00 EDT 2014
Jennings is such a delightful little boy along with his best friend Doggie i didnt want the story to end
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Posted Fri Apr 11 00:00:00 EDT 2014
Couldn't put it down
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Posted Wed Jan 15 00:00:00 EST 2014
It was done. She had nothing more to worry about. But if that was true, then why did she feel so bad? She knew it had to be done, people had begun to notice. They had begun to notice the way that she had placed a protective hand over her tummy, the wierd cravings for canned fruit, and her constant trips to the bathroom. It had to be done didnt it? A voice in her head said, "you killled a baby". But it was only a lump of tissue, not alive. That was what the doctor had told her. If the professional had said so, then it must be correct...right? She hated the constant spinning of her moral compass. It didnt ever give her the answer she wanted.
* * *
A sleek wolf hid among the trees. The moon was full and cast a silver light that filtered through the trees dusting everything with a silver light that gave the forest an eerie, but beautiful look. The wolf was looking for something. Her blue grey eyes flitted from tree to tree scanning the area with an elegant, but desperate air to her. She needed something, something that she that had to be found. She sat down eventually and howeled, long and mounfully. It cut through the air snd the pine branches seemed to tremble with the beauty an pureness of the note. She waited, waited for a reply. None came.
She howeled again, a louder, clearer note that split the silver light. But not one paid attention. There was none who heard her
I am 16 and my name is Angie murray. I want some reviews on this, if zall possible. The story does not end there, if you want me to stop writing brcause i suck, i eont be offended, just say so :) ti review me, please put " to angie murray" in the title and u will read it... thank you!!!!!
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Tue Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 2013
This is by far one of the best books I've ever read! I read it for the first time when I was in 5th grade, quite a long long time ago time now, but I've chosen to reread it many times since then. I would recommend this book to anyone at all, it touches the heart and sticks with you. Read it and write your own review, but definitely read it!
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Posted Sun Feb 24 00:00:00 EST 2013
this book is wonderfull,sad,funny and some parts make me mad my teacher read it to me at read aloud its when someone reads out loud and it is about the person who worte this book who's mom somtimes gets sick and and just can't take care of jennings and in the end he tells about what happend after he was done wiht the book and in jan 2013. 17 at 78 he died and he lived a wonderfull life THANKS FOR READING!!!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.loved it! if you want something truthful, and wonderful! i loved following Jennings throughout his journey! i highly recommend this book! wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.jes63
Posted Sat Jun 11 00:00:00 EDT 2011
I absolutely loved this book. I could not get to the end of it fast enough. The book was so well written and so touching that I needed to stop for tissue several times.
I could not rate this book higher than 5 stars, but I would if I could. I have read hundreds of books in my lifetime, and this one is in the top 5 easily.
I walked away from it with an entirely new perspective on how different people suffer through childhood instead of enjoying it.
I held my own boys tighter after reading this book. It will forever change how I feel about how important a role adults play in the raising of children, and yet this author was able to survive his childhood and not feel sorry for his circumstances.
Overview
At the age of eight, the author began a three-year odyssey through a series of orphan asylums and foster homes, punctuated by episodes of living in the streets—a journey through a world of hostile strangers, abusive adults, and suspicious children.