An Angel For Solomon Singer

by Cynthia Rylant, Peter Catalanotto

Solomon Singer is a middle-aged man who lives in a hotel for men in New York City. One night his solitary wanderings take him into a restaurant where he reads these words on the menu: ''The Westway Cafe -- where all your dreams come true. '' A soft-voiced waiter (metaphorically named Angel) welcomes him and invites him back. Each night Singer returns, ordering food and, silently, ordering his wishes for the things he remembers from an Indiana boyhood.

Genres: Picture Books, Realistic Fiction, Friendship, Childrens, Fiction, Cities, Love

32 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1992

About the author

An author of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry for children and young adults as well as an author and author/illustrator of picture books for children, Cynthia Rylant is recognized as a gifted writer who has contributed memorably to several genres of juvenile literature. A prolific author who often bases her works on her own background, especially on her childhood in the West Virginia mountains, she is the creator of contemporary novels and historical fiction for young adults, middle-grade fiction and fantasy, lyrical prose poems, beginning readers, collections of short stories, volumes of poetry and verse, books of prayers and blessings, two autobiographies, and a biography of three well-known children's writers; several volumes of the author's fiction and picture books are published in series, including the popular "Henry and Mudge" easy readers about a small boy and his very large dog.

Rylant is perhaps most well known as a novelist. Characteristically, she portrays introspective, compassionate young people who live in rural settings or in small towns and who tend to be set apart from their peers.

from bookrags.com

Reviews

[Mr. Cody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kinda haunting for a kids book, but really makes an impression.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solomon Singer is an older man who has moved from his beloved country home in Indiana to a small apartment in New York City. He is lonely and bereft, but finds a diner near his apartment where he meets a kind and gentle waiter, aptly named Angel who makes him feel welcome and part of a community. I actually read this for the first time a few years ago, but was struck by how the themes of loneliness, isolation and relocation, and the importance of kindness and community might resonate with readers living through these pandemic years.

[Ursula · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one that can be read again and again. The themes of friendship and longing are so strong in this book that it is a wonderful book to use for teaching empathy.

[Charles Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A touching story about a lonely Midwestern man, Solomon Singer, trying to make a new home for himself in New York City. This book would be great to share with new students, especially those who have moved. Having relocated to Chicago from Iowa, I can relate to Solomon's sadness and loneliness in the big city. In fact, I can remember when I first found a small corner coffee shop with my own "Angel" to make me feel at home. Not just new students would benefit from this book -- I think all students could share stories about dealing with loneliness or making new friends and how those new friends helped them create a sense of "home." Even more importantly, I think this book could help me self-disclose my own upbringing with kids. Whenever I return home to visit my parents in rural Iowa, I'm awestruck by the beauty of the open fields and twinkling stars filling the sky -- I forget their healing, calming powers in the city. Don't get me wrong: I love Chicago and all it has to offer, but, just like Solomon, the little Iowa boy still likes to wander free (and I wouldn't mind a cat).

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Discovered at the used bookstore where I volunteer (all-volunteer, non-profit), an older book by Cynthia Rylant tells a tale that seems relevant today, too, of a lonely man living in a hotel in New York City. He wishes and dreams of his early home in Indiana, wanting a balcony, fireplace, a porch swing, a picture window. He cannot even have a cat! Much has been written lately about the people lonely in the world, perhaps most in cities. This book from over thirty years ago tells that story, and also shows that Solomon Singer found his "Angel"! One night in his 'wanderings', he discovered the Westway Cafe, "where all your dreams come true". Find the book to discover how Solomon found his dreams and Angel. It's a sweet, sweet story!

[Morley Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

This beautifully illustrated book shows how a small act can leave a huge impact on someone. Following Solomon Singer, he finds himself stuck in a life where he can find no happiness and that is accented in the dullness of his surroundings. Upon wandering the streets, he happens by a cafe where the smile and friendliness of the waiter, Angel, encourages him to come night after night. The beginning of the narration includes the use of parentheses to contrast the reality Solomon lives in and what he wishes for. Along with the wistful tone of the narration, the watercolour illustrations creates this feeling of warmth and adds to the dreamlike qualities of life that Solomon searches for.

[Becky McLaughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used this book as a way of talking about the setting of a book and how the setting can effect the story, in this case the mood or emotions of the main character. Solomon begins, in this story, as a man who is unhappy with where he is and longs for the type of life he had as a child. When he is out wandering, he comes upon a cafe and a waiter who changes his whole outlook on his life and his living situation.

[Courtenay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rylant is one of my favorite picture book authors. In this one, she breaks the rules about age of protagonist -- rather than a child, she features a middle-aged man who is lonely and longing for home and connection in the same way that her Mr. Putter and Tabby series does. The illustrations in this one will speak to children and adults alike, even if the text might not, but the theme about belonging really is appropriate for "all ages." Nicely done.

[📚Linda Blake · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations for An Angel for Solomon Singer contributes so much to the message in this book about a middle aged man trying to rise above loneliness. In almost every scene the artist has added Mr. Singer’s reflection rather than the reader seeing him straight on. It’s interesting to see exactly when we see him full on.

[Peyton Cox · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t enjoy “An Angel for Solomon Singer” very much, I found the story line to be simple and short until the ending where Angel the waiter came into the picture. The illustrations by Peter Catalanotto were thought out well and went well with the context. The story line that one thing can change your outlook on things was good, but I wasn’t drawn into it like other books.

[Brianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

The pictures in this book were nice. The story was a little slow but it was a nice message. The old man felt lonely and wandered a lot. He found a cafe that he enjoyed and everyday would order something that he dreamed of having.

[Alyssa Bloom · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book shows that you could make the best out of every situation. That you have to look for the good in everything. It shows children how to be happy in everything they do.

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story of a lonely man who has dreams of getting back home to Indiana. As he imagines thoughts of home he is befriended and cared for in NYC. Beautiful illustrations.

[Sean Stevens · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the illustrations where the color demonstrates the inner life of an alienated soul.

[Megan Piero · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I am not traditionally a fan of Cynthia Rylant's work but I must admit I really enjoyed this story. This story is about an older man who lives in a small hotel with no balcony, no fireplace, no porch, and no pets. He was lonely in the city and at night he would wander the streets dreaming of his days as a boy in Indiana. One night, he stumbles upon the Westway cafe. He meets a waiter with kind eyes and a big smile that makes him feels at home. He continues to return to the diner each night and the waiter continues to make him feel at ease. At the end of the story, the author reveals that the waiters name is Angel.
As a teacher, I would use this as a mentor text for descriptive language. Rylant really crafts her sentences and phrases in an interesting way in this book. For instance, she uses the phrase " a voice quiet like Indiana pines in November".

[Rebecca Hipps · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had never heard of this picturebook before and am grateful I encountered it! This book tells the story of a man who dreams of more, and lives in a dim reality. As he finds hope and optimism in a simple café from a friendly waiter, his attitude is transformed and he begins to see his world in a different light. The watercolor paintings carry much emotion throughout the story. In the initial opening, it looks as though Solomon Singer’s world is melting or being washed away. This style continues throughout the book, many pages looking as though the illustrations have actually been washed away by the rain. As his visits to the café increase, the illustrator included larger pictures, eventually full bleed images that capture the new beauty Solomon Singer sees in his world.

[Vanessa Peavy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Cynthia Rylant text full of visualization. Dreaming of life back home makes Solomon dislike his new home in new york city. I really liked this book because it shows you what life is like for those who live alone in a place they dislike. It also shows you how simple things can really make life easy. I would read this book to grades 3-5 because I think higher grade levels would appreciate the story a little more and make connections. I would use this book in my classroom to teach a lesson on reading comprehension. I would focus on questioning and making connections. I would also use this book to compare an other text called The Old Woman Who Named Things. I would compare and contrast the two characters.

Grades 3-5

[Juso · Rating 4 out of 5]

"An Angel for Solomon Singer" is a wonderful story about an elderly man who is lonely. He lives in a hotel with no balcony, or any other standard feature that comes with an apartment. He roams the streets and thinks about his childhood memories in Indiana. One day, he goes into a cafe, where a waiter catches his eye and they begin to communicate from that day on. At the end of story, the waiter's name is Angel.
As a teacher, I would use this book to address the importance of craft. The author uses unique ways to construct the sentences in this story. I would encourage the students to find unique ways to create their own sentences.

[Amber Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent book. This tells the story of Solomon traveling to New York City trying to form a new life. This author uses a nice tone in this book. As a reader we can feel how the character feels in a new, big city. The author uses italicized word, colloquial language, and similes. With these combined it helps the reader get into the story and feel connected with the characters. This text can show the children that it is alright to be descriptive and use diverse languages. This promotes the characters tone and back story.

[Linda Lipko · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a wonderful children's illustrated book of a story of Solomon who lives a lonely life in New York City. He resides in one room wherein he cannot change anything, including the paint on the wall.

In his older years, he looks back to growing up in the midwest. Finding NYC challenging and lonely he walks and walks and walks each night envisioning the corn fields and the love of family.

One night, he visits a diner and is served by a smiling, kind man named Angel. With the welcome and goodbye of good to see you, and come back, Solomon finds a home amid the hustle, bustle and cold city.

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is about a man that moved from rural land to the city and how he reminisces about living in the rural, country land. I can really relate to this book because I live in the country and I can't imagine ever living in the city and not having the serenity of the country. I would feel just like Solomon does in this book if I had to move to the city.

I would use this book with the strategy of asking questions.

[Katrina Yazzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was good. The illustrations looked real. It was about a guy who went to a Cafe every night and dream of his dreams. You should move toward your dreams. The guy wanted things he couldn't have in a hotel room so he just dream of having it. He had no one to love and was lonely and than he went to the cafe. The waiter was nice to him and kept telling him to come back. Keep chasing your dreams, dreams can come true.

[R.L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book when my children were little and Peter Catalanotto came to their elementary school as a presenter. Of course all of Cynthia Rylant's children's books are true "keepers". Love them all but this one is about an old man who is alone, and lonely in the big city. He wishes he were back home where he knew people. But every night he goes to the diner and every night he orders up something and includes (but doesn't say it out loud) a wish. Eventually his wish comes true.

[Jessica Benson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book tells the story of a man who dreams of more, and lives in a dim reality. As he finds hope and optimism in a simple café from a friendly waiter, his attitude is transformed and he begins to see his world in a different light. The watercolor paintings carry much emotion throughout the story.

[Adam Hardesty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great story about a man who has become complacent with his life until he finds a friend in a cafe. Solomon Singer was a very lonely man who dreamed of a bigger fuller life. This is a good story to show just how important personal relationships can be throughout life. It can show kids that it is important to be a good friend and have good friends because one day you may not have them.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book and liked the moral of the story. In the book Solomon is a lonely old man that lives in a simple apartment in NYC. He doesn't like his bleak life in the city and misses the Midwest where her grew up. But one evening he finds his own little slice of home in the city.

[Tatiana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rylant is wonderful at creating a mood, both in her chapter and picture books. I loved this gentle story of an old man living lonely in New York, while recalling his childhood in Indiana. The illustrations were dreamy and shadow-dreanched. I used it as a read aloud for 5th graders, and they were still engaged.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story is lovely, but wouldn't be nearly as interesting without the glorious artwork by Peter Catalanotto. The use of reflection and light in this is just amazing and beautiful. A good book to teach about compassion and friendship.

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

An Angel For Solomon Singer
Rylant, Cynthia
Solomon singer is a lonely sad man who does not like where he lives, does not like the city and has no one to love until he arrives at a small cafe and its kind waiter who makes the city not so lonely and makes Solomon a happy man.

[Dakota Mcintosh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful story of a man who has moved from the rural midwest to New York City. It is great to do the before, during, and after questions activity. You would be suprised what kind of discussion this book brings up.