Smoky Night

by Eve Bunting
Smoky Night
published
April 1st 1999 by Voyager Books
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binding
Paperback, 36 pages

literary awards
Caldecott Medal, 1995; ALA Notable Book

isbn
0152018840   (isbn13: 9780152018849)

description
This is a story about cats -- and people -- who couldn't get along until a smoky and fearful night brings them together. The Los Angeles riots made a...more





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Multicultural Fiction for Children and Teens
Caldecott Books
Caldecotts for Slackers




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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 105)



Robyn
Robyn rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
10/15/08

bookshelves: multicultural-literature, realistic-fiction
A young boy tells the story of living in during the Los Angeles Riots. Together, mother and son learn the values and beliefs of other cultures in order to create unity in their community.
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Debbie
Debbie rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
11/17/08

bookshelves: picture-books, realistic-fiction
CIP summary "When the Los angeles riots break out in the streets of their neighborhood, a young boy and his mother learn the value of getting along with others no matter what their backgrounds or nationality."

This award winning book has unique illustrations on each page made from paint and collaged items related to the text. The story is emotional and the reader can feel the terror in the characters as the chaos of the LA roits is surrounding them. The ending gives the reader hope...more
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Kara
Kara rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
01/16/08

This is an interesting children's book. Its illustrations are unique; David Diaz's mixed media style consists of paint, scraps of paper and cardboard, nails, glass, and other found items. The story depicts a young boy experiencing a riot that is taking place around his apartment building. The illustrations create a scrap-book feel that matches what his happening around him.

Although the book received a Caldecott medal for its artwork, it was debated as to whether the book was worthy of the ...more
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Brittany
Brittany rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
09/06/08

Read in August, 2008
This is a thought provoking book. It is a picture book that sheds light on the Los Angeles riots, and the effects of it on families in the surrounding neighborhoods. The story is told from the perspective of a little boy, Daniel. He tells the story of watching rioters in the street below his apartment, and then waking up to his building on fire. At the shelter he and his Mom learn more about their neighbors and put aside differences and past prejudices.

This would be a great book to teac...more
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Ningerbil
Ningerbil rated it: 3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars
01/01/08

bookshelves: childrens, picture-books
Read in February, 2006
Tells about the Los Angeles riots in a simple version that children can understand and appreciate. Daniel witnesses the rioting in the streets of his neighborhood, where people are burning buildings and looting stores. By the end of the night, Daniel and his mother must flee and head to a shelter, where he learns to confront his own prejudices and mends some fences with Mrs. Kim, a neighboring business lady. My one complaint is that there is a scene where Daniel’s cat Jasmine is returned to hi...more
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Doree
Doree rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
10/08/08

bookshelves: caldecotts-for-slackers
1995 Caldecott Medal. We lived in L.A. during the Rodney King riots. This book captures the feelings of that period and each time I've read it I again feel the way I felt during those horrible days and nights. I'm probably swayed by my personal experience in the rating of this book, but I don't think it could have been done any better. I love that the book was dedicated to the peacekeepers.
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Panagiota
Panagiota rated it: 2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars
10/27/08

bookshelves: realistic-fiction
CIP: When the Los Angeles riots break out in the streets of their neighborhood, a young boy and his mother learn the value of getting along with others no matter what their background or nationality.

My notes: Has great abstract pictures with very vivid colors.
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Krista the Krazy Kataloguer
11/01/08

bookshelves: read-caldecott, read-cat-books, read-childrens-books
Loved the story, hated the artwork. I wouldn't have given it the Caldecott.
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Ruth
Ruth rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
07/29/08

By far the most powerful children's book I have ever read. It includes beautiful illustrations, childlike descriptions of riots (taking away the terror of them but giving children an idea of the drama), the use of cats as a distraction from the heaviness of the riots and the powerful theme of neighborhood harmony despite racial differences. I am overwhelmed with emotions of every sort each time I read it, which is the only drawback: difficult to read out loud through tears.
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Sara
Sara rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
05/24/08

bookshelves: favorites, kids-lit
My students are so tired of me getting teary-eyed when doing a read-aloud, but despite my efforts to contain my tears, I just couldn't. Eve Bunting is a frickin' genius. This book is about an African-American boy and his mom in LA during the riots. Through shared tragedy and cats, a damaged, diverse community tries to reach out. Great for teaching kids how to synthesize and decide on a theme.
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Jessy
Jessy added it
10/27/08

bookshelves: good-books

Lauralee
Lauralee rated it: 2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars
09/13/08

bookshelves: ya-children
A book set against riots that is mostly concerned about a lost cat? The author lost a chance to help kids through some realistic issues. Graphic nature of illustration gave book a gritty nature.
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Jackie
Jackie rated it: 3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars
10/08/08

bookshelves: caldecott

Maren
Maren rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
10/04/08


Natalie Nyquist
Natalie marked it as to-read
10/01/08

bookshelves: to-read

Mary
Mary rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
09/06/08

This book has beautiful illustrations, and a wonderful storyline examining the characters' prejudices, prodding the reader to examine their own.
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Lucianne
Lucianne rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
09/01/08

bookshelves: i-would-read-it-again---and-have
A wonderful story to read to the children. It deals with racism and working together through a catastrophe. The children I read it to all loved it. I am asked to read it again!
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Christa
Christa rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
08/08/08

This author manages to write a kid's book about the LA riots. It's superb, and a great intro. to get kiddos talking about racism and oppression and anger and such.
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Tanisha
Tanisha rated it: 2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars
05/14/08

this book really interest me because it is very cool it gives kind of good information about alot of things.i wish i had a best friend like that.
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book data (includes all editions)

avg rating (all editions): 3.69 (88 ratings)
avg rating (this edition): 3.65 (77 ratings)
number of reviews: 19







other editions

Smoky Night (Caldecott Medal Book)
Smoky Night (Hardcover)
Smoky Night (Hardcover)