The Lemming Condition

This book allows children to question character motives and decisions. Students can also reason character decisions using text-based evidence.

• Author: Alan Arkin
• Illustrator: Joan Sandin
• Year Published: 1976
• ISBN: 0-06-020133-9

Science Topics

• Life Science

Minimum Suggested Grade Level

• 2nd Grade

Maximum Suggested Grade Level

• 6th Grade

Summary

This was one of the most important books of my childhood. Bubber is a young lemming who questions the unquestionable - the instinctual urge felt by all around him to conform and follow the majority, even to mass suicide. As Bubber looks for answers, he becomes more and more an outsider, even to his friends and family.

Evaluation

• Appropriateness: Medium
• Authority: Medium
• Accuracy: Low
• Liteary Artistry: Medium
• Appearance: Medium

Questions

Does the book foster development of processes?

This book allows children to question character motives and decisions. Students can also reason character decisions using text-based evidence.

Does the book provide an opportunity for children to ask and answer their own questions?

This book allows children to ask questions alongside the protagonist and answer them shortly before the character does. This allows students to rationalize answers and decisions within the book.

Does the book encourage children to think for themselves?

This book allows students to start thinking about lemmings and the yearly migration they undertake. The book allows children to start this process alongside the mina character, Bubber.

Is the science topic addressed in ways that are appropriate to the lesson?

The science topic is address in a short chapter book. For independent reading this book is appropriate for third grade and up. This topic is addressed in a kid-friendly way that allows them to be entertained by fiction writing.

Is the content based on sound scientific principles? Is it accurate?

The content is based on the principle that lemmings undergo yearly migration by swimming across large bodies of water. This part of the children’s book is accurate. However the protagonist is able to not follow the instint of migration, which is something that is not accurate.

Does the book distinguish between fact and fiction?

For the most part this book does not distinguish between fact and fiction. The characters are all animals and have the ability to talk and rationalize with the intelligence of humans. What little fact that does take place, such as the mention of lemming migration, can be overshadowed by the fantasy aspects of the book.

Are the illustrations clear and accurate?

The illustrations are somewhat clear: they are drawn in black and white. The animals portrayed in the book (i.e. lemmings and crows) are drawn to represent their real-life counterparts. A student could easily compare the pictures to real photographs.

Is the book written at the level of your students?

This book is written to the level of my students. The writing does not use overly complicated words, and the actions and thoughts of the main character are clearly shown.

Is there a multicultural component? Is it free from stereotyping?

There is no multicultural component in the book. The book is free from stereotyping.

Is the book free from gender bias?

The book is free from gender bias. Both male and female characters are portrayed under a good light.

Does the book show the close association between science and other disciplines?

This book can be used as a Read-Aloud under the genre of Fiction and Fantasy.

Does the book present a positive attitude toward science and technology?

This book has no mentions of technology. This book does mention animal migration, but in this book it is portrayed as something negative. The main character is made to believe the lemmings die because they followed their instincts to swim west.