Smoky Night by Eve Bunting

Note: I occasionally accept review copies from the publisher. Posts written from review copies are labeled. All opinions are my own. Posts may contain affiliate links. I may receive compensation for any purchased items.

My Caldecott challenge: Although these Caldecott winner and honor books are not, for the most part, books I’ve read aloud to my son, I still found them interesting. A few I had strong negative opinions of; they show that even books that earned the Caldecott award do become dated!

In a series of remarkable paintings on collages, Smoky Night by Eve Bunting and illustrated by David Diaz (Caldecott Winner 1995) shares the story of a boy in the midst of L.A. riots. When arsonists set the apartment building on fire, the neighborhood comes together, despite race. The story of the riots seemed rather violent to me, especially for a children’s book.

I felt the writing behind the story was not impressive and in fact, it felt awkward. It was all told in the present tense. However, the underlying message of Smoky Night was inspiring and the artwork deserving of recognition.

Reviewed on November 15, 2010

About the author 

Rebecca Reid

Rebecca Reid is a homeschooling, stay-at-home mother seeking to make the journey of life-long learning fun by reading lots of good books. Rebecca Reads provides reviews of children's literature she has enjoyed with her children; nonfiction that enhances understanding of educational philosophies, history and more; and classical literature that Rebecca enjoys reading.

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