adoption

They Cage the Animals at night is a very powerful, thought-provoking, and frightening biographical account of Michael Jennings Burch's childhood. He tells readers about his lonely childhood of painful suffering in Southern New York, Brooklyn, and other city areas. One of six brothers, he lived alone and forgotten. At the young age of eight, he was told that love would only mean loss. His mother left him with the words, "I'll be right back" and with this his unfortunate life began, soon to become more and more depressing.
Throughout his childhood, Michael Jennings Burch moved from foster home to foster home, never staying long enough to make a friend. He never leaves Doggie, his faithful stuffed animal, who he talks to constantly thoroughout the book. At one point, he even lived out of garbage cans at the zoo.
Throughout his childhood, Michael was abused. Dealing with alcoholics at home, and on the street, his suffering is felt by readers. Tears of joy and tears of sorrow are displayed, so be prepared to experience many moods and emotions. This fantastic autogiography is suitable for 6th graders and above, due to language and vivid depressing details.

I enjoyed the book, They Cage the Animals at Night. This autobiographical story is about a young child who is seperated from his brothers and sent to different orphanages, becasue their mother is sick. The nuns are very strict and have no sympathy for an eight year old boy, Jennings. It is about Jennings and his struggles through a series of diffeent orphanage homes, feeling lonely, and frightened. He held on to a stuffed animal who he named Doggie. This book is, as the back cover explains, "The triumphant tale of a little boy who finally gained the courage to reach out for love- and found it waiting for him".. Jennings' unyielding spirit and hope are seemingly contagious as he brings the reader into this brave boys childhood. While reading this autobiographical you will be able to feel sympathy for the kid, wanting to help. And you will feel as if you were going through the experiences with him- the hurt and pain. It is very well written with good details. I am very glad i chose to read this book, and would recommend it to anyone.

There is an honesty to "They Cage Animals at Night" that seeps into your soul and makes you feel, care, cry, rage, and finally rejoice. There are many books of survivors of abuse or tragedy, but few touch you to the core such as this. I rank it on the same level as "White Oleander", "Lucky", and "My Fractured Life." An amazing an honest story.