Michael's Passions - Books: This Edition's Feature "They Cage The Animals At Night"

Written by Jennings Michael Burch

One of Michael’s favourite books was They Cage The Animals At Night written by Jennings Michael Burch, first published in 1985.

It’s the heart-wrenching true story about the author’s childhood. The story takes place during the early 1950’s in Brooklyn. One day Jennings Michael Burch's mother, too sick to care for him, left him at an orphanage, saying only, "I'll be right back." But she never returned. Over about a four year period he suddenly finds himself in and out of orphanages, institutions, and fosters homes. Life in these orphanages was brutal, punishments were cruel, rules were strict. And he never remained in any of them long enough to make a friend. A tattered stuffed dog was the only friend that stayed with him through it all and the only thing he could count on.
This is the touching story of his lost childhood. But it is also the triumphant tale of a little boy who finally gained the courage to reach out for love-and found it waiting for him.

Michael Jackson had committed himself to co-directing and financing the film of the book They Cage the Animals at Night. The film was set to begin pre-production after Jackson’s run performing in London.

You can buy this book from: http://www.amazon.com/They-Cage-Animals-Night-Signet/dp/0451159411

Michael interviewing Jennings Michael Burch in 2003:

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Thanks Assandra & MJJCommunity!