A TEENAGE RESPONSE TO GENTLEHANDS

Interview compiled by Tamora Francis

Taykeisha F. is a thirteen-year-old eighth grade student who enjoys reading books and writing poetry. She writes poetry for the school newspaper and is a member of the journalism club.

TF: Taykeisha, could you please tell me what the novel Gentlehands was about?

Taykeisha: A student named Buddy wanted to impress a girl and took her to his home to meet his grandpa Trenker. Things started to change when someone wrote an article in the newspaper about his grandfather killing people who were innocent. He found out that people used to call him "Gentlehands".

TF: Did anything in the story cause strong emotional feelings for you?

Taykeisha: Yes.

TF: Can you describe it?

Taykeisha: When Trenker asked the young girl at the concentration camp to sing and dance for him when he knew all along that he would kill her.

TF: Why do you think this encounter affected you as it did?

Taykeisha: I felt this was all wrong because the people in the concentration camp were probably going to die anyway, so why humiliate them and kill them.

TF: Have you had the opportunity to study or discuss this issue in Social Studies Class?

Taykeisha: No, we haven't had a unit [of instruction] yet, but I saw a video once where this group of Jewish people hid out in a hidden passage, to try and escape German Soldiers.

TF: Would you like to study this unit in Social Studies class?

Taykeisha: I don't think I would like it because sometimes I get too angry or emotional about unpleasant things.

TF: How did you feel about the character "Gentlehands"?

Taykeisha: I think he was wrong for what he did in the past, but I liked him because he loved his family. I also think that maybe he regretted the mean things he did to people.

TF: Would you recommend Gentlehands to friends or family members?

Taykeisha: Yes, I would, because it's like a history lesson.

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Created April 15, 1996; Last Revised September 23, 1996