The Basketball Game

Gr 4 Up—Turning the typical view of anti-Semitism upside down, this excellent animated short tells a story about Hart, a nine-year-old boy who attends a Jewish summer camp. The camp director has invited students who were exposed to Holocaust denial and anti-Jewish bias by their teacher for a picnic and basketball game. Hart worries for his safety. Based on a true account of a social studies teacher who was guilty of teaching anti-Semitic lessons in his classroom, those students were later involved in a goodwill visit to Hart's summer camp with the hope of erasing hatred that may have been planted. Hart is the one with the greatest prejudice against those whom he fears. Animated caricatures of a KKK-robed individual and a menacing horned devil/monster occupy the body of Hart's fantasy basketball game, until there's a respectful comment spoken by the visiting student. All imaginary demons revert to their innocent, childlike selves, cancelling the negative stereotypes. The resolution is swift and sincere. Powerful, brief, and very well conceived, this tale can help children approach their fear of (imaginary) enemies. English and French soundtracks are available. A worthy addition for libraries looking for anti-bias materials.—Robin Levin, U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum Teacher/Fellow, Ft. Washakie, WY