Religion in Children's Literature

After reading and discussing Confessions of a Closet Catholic in our last class, I thought a lot about putting a book like this in my library. I loved the book and I loved the story. In class, the point was brought up that some of the facts were unrealistic and inconsistent and if you are going to write a book like this, you need to have facts straight and up to date with the time frame of when the story takes place. I think that this book was pretty much right on the money with the facts, yea maybe they weren't up to date with the catholic church services, but that is so small, and there are still churches that practice what was written in the story. The inconsistency was probably one of my favorite aspects of the story because it made the story seem real and true. I know that when I was growing up, not as young as her, but I started to question my religious views and religious beliefs. The ways that she was experimenting and questioning her beliefs and views on religion was cute and funny. It was almost like I could relate to that experience. I loved the way that she had no idea what she was doing and tried in every way possible to be the ideal catholic. I felt for her throughout the whole story. I know how hard it is to not know who you are and what you believe and there are so many possibilities out there. I loved her bubbe and how after she died, her letter and gift of the star necklace to Jussy put everything into perspective. Bubbe said the right thing in her letter to Jussy about finding out who she was and if being catholic was right for her, then she should go ahead and pursue it. She told her to learn about her Jewish identity too before she went right to being Catholic. She also kept telling Jussy that it was ok for her to question her beliefs and views. It was part of growing up. I wish that my parents were supportive to me like that and I felt that I had the nice thought while I am going through my questioning. I am still questioning to this day. I loved this book and the stories that were weaved throughout it. I don't know if I would put this into my library in my classroom because I think it could raise a lot of issues about questioning beliefs. I would have to know how to teach it and be able to explain it to my students if they were to read it.