Smoky Night
by Eve Buntingpublished
April 1st 1999
by Voyager Books
edit
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
Sign in to Goodreads to see your friends' reviews of this book.
discuss this book
friend reviews (0)
To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.
lists with this book
other reviews (showing 1-20 of 105)
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.
Like this review?
yes
(1 person liked it)
1 comments
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
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
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
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
Although the book received a Caldecott medal for its artwork, it was debated as to whether the book was worthy of the ...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
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
This would be a great book to teac...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
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
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
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.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
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.
My notes: Has great abstract pictures with very vivid colors.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Loved the story, hated the artwork. I wouldn't have given it the Caldecott.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
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.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
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.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
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.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
This book has beautiful illustrations, and a wonderful storyline examining the characters' prejudices, prodding the reader to examine their own.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
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!
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
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.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
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.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
