Butter Battle Book by Dr. Seuss

Okay you are probably wondering why I am talking about this book.  In my Language Arts class my students had to read "The Sneetches" by Dr. Seuss.  Today I read "The Butter Battle Book" also by Dr. Seuss.  The idea is they are to compare and contrast the two books.  Needless to say my very knowledgeable sixth graders proceeded to tell me how the Butter Battle Book is actually a political story about the Cold War.  I almost dropped my teeth.  Why?  A few years ago when I did a lesson on the Berlin Wall my 8th grade students had no idea what the Cold War was.  These sixth graders not only knew about it they knew which President played a vital role.   One of my students is doing their History Fair project on The Cold War and one of them is doing their project on the Berlin Wall.  To say I was surprised is an understatement.  We will have to do our compare/contrast tomorrow because today was all about life under socialism and communism.  I am so glad that I have taught History in the past because to tie it in with the books we are reading and watching my students make the connections is absolutely wonderful.  However if you don't know what the book is about I will say no more and recommend you go to your library and check out a copy of Dr Seuss's "Butter Battle Book".