Smoky Night , written by Eve Bunting and illustrated by David Diaz
Genre: Picture Book
Sub-genre: Realistic Fiction
Published on March 31, 1994 by Harcourt Brace & Company
Themes: Neighbors, overcoming differences, family, diversity
Themes: Neighbors, overcoming differences, family, diversity
Awards:
-School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
-Parent's Choice Award winner
Characters
Primary: The main character in this story is a little boy. Another primary character is his mother.
Secondary: The boy's neighbors in his apartment building, his cat Jasmine, a neighbor's cat, a fireman
This heart-wrenching picture book is based on the real-life L.A. riots. The story is told from the perspective of a young boy, whose apartment building is set on fire one night by looters and robbers moving throughout the city. He and his mother must escape the blaze in a hurry but he is reluctant to go because at the time of their evacuation he cannot find his beloved pet, a cat named Jasmine. As they move down the halls and stairs to get out, they encounter their fellow tenants. A bond is formed between all the bulding's residents as they look out for one another during their escape, and find shelter nearby.
Smoky Night would be great to use in a classroom of younger elementary school students. I would use the book to emphasize the point that it's important to be a kind, caring neighbor and to at least try your best to be friends with those that might be different than you and yours. The book would also provide a bit of background knowledge on the L.A. riots that took place in 1992.
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