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Eight Days: A Story of Haiti
by
Hope comes alive in this heartfelt and deeply resonating story.
While Junior is trapped for 8 days beneath his collapsed house after an earthquake, he uses his imagination for comfort. Drawing on beautiful, everyday-life memories, Junior paints a sparkling picture of Haiti for each of those days--flying kites with his best friend or racing his sister around St. Marc's ...more
While Junior is trapped for 8 days beneath his collapsed house after an earthquake, he uses his imagination for comfort. Drawing on beautiful, everyday-life memories, Junior paints a sparkling picture of Haiti for each of those days--flying kites with his best friend or racing his sister around St. Marc's ...more
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Start your review of Eight Days: A Story of Haiti
Aug 16, 2014
Doreen
rated it
liked it
Recommends it for:
Parents and educators who need to introduce death and loss to a youngster
Recommended to Doreen by:
I just love Edwidge Danticat's writing!!
A little boy is trapped under his house for eight days following the earthquake in Haiti, January 2010. With him is his friend, Oscar. To pass the time, they imagine that they are playing; flying kites, shooting marbles, playing hide-and-seek, etc. Sadly, on the fifth day, Oscar "...went to sleep, He never woke up."
The story does have a happy ending in which the little boy is found and rescued. It's a hopeful ending in the aftermath of this horrible natural disaster, but I think that Oscar's ...more
The story does have a happy ending in which the little boy is found and rescued. It's a hopeful ending in the aftermath of this horrible natural disaster, but I think that Oscar's ...more
Junior, a 7-year-old Haitian boy, relates how he passed the time remembering good times he had with his family and friends whilst waiting for eight days to be rescued from under the rubble of his house after an earthquake. Based on the true story of the earthquake of January 12, 2010, Danticat focuses away from the fear and death and destruction and toward life. Junior keeps up his courage by remembering all the fun Haitian children have growing up. Danticat writes at the end of the book of how
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A short picture book describing how a young boy imagined himself playing during the eight days he was buried under rubble after the earthquake in Haiti in 2010. The illustrations are full of bright colors and detailed. This title is suggested for the new Common Core Expeditionary ELA modules (5th grade). I do not see much physical survival in this book, though there is much of the survival of the human spirit.
Jul 08, 2019
Abigail
rated it
really liked it
Recommends it for:
Readers Looking for Children's Sories About the Power of the Imagination
Seven-year-old Junior uses the power of his imagination to survive the horrors of being trapped for eight days under the wreckage of his collapsed house, in this beautiful but heart-breaking picture-book exploration of the human costs of the recent earthquake in Haiti. Haitian-American author Edwidge Danticat - best known for adult works like Breath, Eyes, Memory and Krik? Krak! - chooses not to rub her readers' noses in all the gory details of Junior's ordeal, focusing instead on the games
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Mom's Note: As mentioned before, Jake has a hard time with books that deal with sadness so it always affects his reviews -- nothing against the talents of the author
Jake's Review: Mom this book is odd looking and I really don't get it. I did like that it was hopeful about the families that survived the earthquake, but I didn't like the fact that one of the kids died. Although I think it was nicely written for younger kids who probably won't realize that the other kid died. I don't like books ...more
Jake's Review: Mom this book is odd looking and I really don't get it. I did like that it was hopeful about the families that survived the earthquake, but I didn't like the fact that one of the kids died. Although I think it was nicely written for younger kids who probably won't realize that the other kid died. I don't like books ...more
Eight Days: A Story of Haiti is a 2011 Americas Commended Title. It is about a boy who is trapped after the earthquake. During the eight days that he is trapped, he lives through his memories of his family, friends, and culture. The vibrant illustrations remind the reader of the happy moments that the boy spent during his life in Haiti. Recommended for any age and can be paired with informational text about the Haiti earthquake.
This picture book imagines how a little boy (Junior) survives the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. Each day that he is trapped under the rubble, he uses his imagination to paint a happy picture from times prior to the earthquake. I liked this because strong happy memories can surely buoy us!
A beautiful and sad story about a young boy trapped for over a week after the earthquake of Haiti a few years ago. Based on what could have happened, it is a tug-at-your-heart-strings tale.
Eight Days, A Story of Haiti tells the story of a young boy who is trapped under his house for eight long days following Haiti’s 2010 earthquake. In order to keep his spirits high and make the time pass, he daydreams of running and playing in the sunshine, scenes which have been beautifully illustrated by Delinois to “reflect the beauty of Haitian life before the earthquake, and what is possible for the future.” Despite living through a terrifying experience, the child protagonist embodies hope
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I absolutely loved this book. It actually was sad, and the little boy even lost his friend but the book still intruded a peaceful mind to something devastating. I enjoyed the way the author incorporated enriched culture in subtle ways. For instance, the little boy imagines riding his bike with his sister as many kids of different cultures do, but he imagines them riding bikes next to a famous statue, Neg Mewon, which is across from the Presidential Palace. I appreciate the way the book
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Eight Days: a Story of Haiti by acclaimed Haitian author Edwidge Danticat tells the story of Junior, a young boy trapped under the rubble of his house following the devastating earthquake on January 12, 2010. Junior and his friend Oscar use their imaginations to occupy themselves while they are buried, until, on the fifth day, Oscar goes to sleep and never wakes up. Junior is alone for three more days, but is finally rescued and reunited with his parents and sister.
Danticat, and illustrator Alix ...more
Danticat, and illustrator Alix ...more
Eight Days: A Story of Haiti is a collaboration between lauded writer Edwidge Danticat and illustrator Alix Delinois that was published on the heels of the deadly earthquake that struck Haiti in 2010. The story is narrated by Junior, a young boy who was trapped in the ruins of his home for eight days, imagining a different happy scenario for what he would have been doing each day. Though his friend Oscar, with whom he was trapped, does not survive the disaster, Junior is reunited with his
...more
Written in the wake of the 2010 earthquake that devastated Haiti, this beautifully illustrated story tells the tale of a small child who was trapped below the rubble for eight days. When asked what he did for so long in the rubble, he simply says that in his mind he played. He was able to take everyday things like playing marbles and singing in church and amplify them in his imagination. For example: on the fourth day, his solo was the best in the world. On the fifth day his friend, who was with
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Eight Days is inspired by the happenings during the Haitian earthquake. The story itself is inspiring. Junior, an eight year old boy, is buried alive underneath his house during the earthquake. Alone and without food and water the little boy was trapped for eight days. How absolutely terrifying!
How did the little boy survive? He imagined playing, singing, and doing all the things he loved to do. Then, on the eighth day, he was rescued.
Eight Days is definitely not a book for small children. ...more
How did the little boy survive? He imagined playing, singing, and doing all the things he loved to do. Then, on the eighth day, he was rescued.
Eight Days is definitely not a book for small children. ...more
I explained a couple of pages into the book that the main character was relying on his imagination as he was trapped in the rubble. My 10 yo got it once I said that, but the 7 yo was still confused about it at the end. He also didn't understand about the friend dying, but that bothers me less than the fact that he just didn't get the main story telling device being used.
On the other hand, a friend of mine who teaches in Haiti and lived through the quake was very moved by this. I respect her ...more
On the other hand, a friend of mine who teaches in Haiti and lived through the quake was very moved by this. I respect her ...more
A subtle yet powerful story that touches on the devastation of the 2010 earthquake. At a first glance I wasn't sure what was going on but on rereading I understood too well. I don't think this could be read on its own without pertinent discussion. It's certainly not an end of the day read aloud but I can see it being read to children as young as four or five if there's a personal connection to the story. Edwidge Danticat has such a beautiful speaking voice that make her work all the more
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This book is not just about the earthquake, but about a little boy who is rescued—after 8 days! The author created a way to show Haiti as it was “before” the earthquake by having the boy tell what he did during the time he was trapped. He “played”, not truthfully, but he pretended he was playing. So, for example, on the first day, he and his friend Oscar (also trapped with him) flew kites and then started a huge back of marbles. The story moves page by page, telling the story that only
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3.5 Stars I randomly picked this book off of the shelf and thought...okay. What I didn't realize it was about the Earthquake that devastated Haiti in January 2010. It is about a boy who survived 8 days in the rubble of his house. His friend survived until day 5, but to keep them going, they used their imagination of places and things they usually did.
The illustrations are great, why not a 4 or 5 star? Well, I need a little more preamble... I felt like the book hit the ground running. In fact ...more
The illustrations are great, why not a 4 or 5 star? Well, I need a little more preamble... I felt like the book hit the ground running. In fact ...more
This is another gorgeously illustrated book that could work with early primary all the way through middle school. The colors bring the country of Haiti to life. This book tells the story of a young boy who is trapped under his house during the earthquake. He spends 8 days under the house using his imagination to survive the horrific conditions. The death of his friend Oscar (who is under the house with him) is devestating. I loved the book...until I realized it was not a true story. I do think
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What an inspiring, uplifting book about survival and courage. The vibrant illustrations to this story are so stunning and captivating. Edwidge Danticat did a wonderful job at crafting a story about a courageous little boy who survived being stuck under the rubble of his house for 8 days after the Haiti earthquake. This little guy is a true survivor, as he tells his story and what he did each day he was stuck under the rubble.
It's a touching story with a wonderful tribute to the vibrant, ...more
It's a touching story with a wonderful tribute to the vibrant, ...more
Eight Days tells the story of Junior, Haitian boy, who was trapped under the rubble of his house after the Port-au-Prince earthquake. Junior uses memories of family times past and his imagination to keep himself occupied during the eight days leading up to his rescue.
The illustrations in this book are simply beautiful. The richness of Haiti shines through the vivid colors and expressive drawings. The spirit of determination and survival are evident in this moving children's book. Eight days ...more
The illustrations in this book are simply beautiful. The richness of Haiti shines through the vivid colors and expressive drawings. The spirit of determination and survival are evident in this moving children's book. Eight days ...more
What an inspiring, uplifting book about survival and courage. The vibrant illustrations to this story are so stunning and captivating. Edwidge Danticat did a wonderful job at crafting a story about a courageous little boy who survived being stuck under the rubble of his house for 8 days after the Haiti earthquake. This little guy is a true survivor, as he tells his story and what he did each day he was stuck under the rubble.
It's a touching story with a wonderful tribute to the vibrant, ...more
It's a touching story with a wonderful tribute to the vibrant, ...more
A simple but poignant story about a child's everyday life in Haiti. After he is rescued from under his house after the Haiti Earthquake, Junior explains that each day he thought of what he would do on an average day. He thought about playing with his friends, teasing his sister, singing a solo in choir, and so forth. The brightly painted illustrations show Haiti as a place of great natural beauty, instead of dwelling on the destruction of the earthquake.
Eight Days is a moving book about a boy's mind's wandering while stuck underneath rubble for 8 days after the Haitian Earthquakes a few years ago. He talks about how he thought of good things during those days and thats what helped him get through. The book has many colorful illustrations that show the culture as bright and cheery and the text includes many native haitian words and names for people. This is a great book to give children a bit of cultural education.
This is a discerning, helpful picture book for children living in earthquake-prone areas.
It suggests a way of psychologically surviving until rescue.
Even though the book is about something awful that happened, an earthquake,
the book reads with optimism and joy celebrating the rituals of a boy's life.
Beautiful artwork by Alix Delinois makes Haitian life come alive.
It suggests a way of psychologically surviving until rescue.
Even though the book is about something awful that happened, an earthquake,
the book reads with optimism and joy celebrating the rituals of a boy's life.
Beautiful artwork by Alix Delinois makes Haitian life come alive.
I would recommend this book to children to inspire them to always remember where they come from and although it might seem like your stuck in a bad situation, you can always inspire yourself with your thoughts
Eight Days: A Story of Haiti, by Edwidge Danticat, pictures by Alix Delinois.
Like Maira Kalman's Fireboat, which put 9/11 into a context children could grasp, Danticat hones her powerful prose into a child's simple, lyrical response to the earthquake, and the eight days it took him to be rescued.
Like Maira Kalman's Fireboat, which put 9/11 into a context children could grasp, Danticat hones her powerful prose into a child's simple, lyrical response to the earthquake, and the eight days it took him to be rescued.
Eight days refer to the eight days that Junior spent trapped under his house after the earthquake in Haiti. In his mind he plays, and through his imagination the reader gets a glimpse into everyday life in Haiti (playing soccer, eating mangoes, etc.)
When Junior is trapped under his house for eight days after the 2010 Haitian earthquake, he visits his friends and family members in his imagination. A touching tribute to the people of Haiti and their vibrant lives-- both before and after the quake.
It's a really nice story... It feels really good to read books about Haiti :)
As I read the story, I remembered my grandma's home and how I used to run around with my friends in the neighborhood
:)
I will send my copy to my god-daughters
As I read the story, I remembered my grandma's home and how I used to run around with my friends in the neighborhood
:)
I will send my copy to my god-daughters
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Edwidge Danticat was born in Haiti and moved to the United States when she was twelve. She is the author of several books, including Breath, Eyes, Memory, an Oprah Book Club selection; Krik? Krak!, a National Book Award finalist; and The Farming of Bones, an American Book Award winner. She is also the editor of The Butterfly's Way: Voices from the Haitian Dyaspora in the United States and The
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