Awards

1995 Caldecott Award

ALA Notable

School Library Journal Best Book of the Year

Parent's Choice Award winner

“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.”

Author

Eve Bunting moved with her husband and three children from Northern Ireland in 1958. As a Protestant child in Ireland she wasn’t allowed to play with Catholic children. This discrimination helped to develop her social consciousness. She began her career by writing Irish folk tales. She has currently written over 150 books. A resident of Pasadena, California, she is a teacher at the University of California. See an outstanding interview at http://www.bookpage.com/9705bp/childrens/evebunting.html.

Illustrator

The 1995 Caldecott committee described David Diaz’ work as “dramatic and groundbreaking.” Diaz has also received honors from Parents' Choice, American Illustration, Communication Arts, the American Institute of Graphic Arts, and the New York Art Directors Club. David Diaz lives with his wife, daughter, and two sons in Rancho La Costa, California. Find more information at http://www.friend.ly.net/scoop/biographies/diazdavid/.

Pre-reading Activity

Describe to students the 1991 arrest and beating of Rodney King. Discuss the ensuing riot that occurred in Los Angeles. Have older students find articles about the riot on the web or in a database such as Gale. After a session of research have students share what they have learned about the event. Chart the information on a KWL chart. Discuss how they might feel if they were present at the event.

Post Reading Activity

Discuss the story and what aspects of it compared to the L.A. riots. Ask questions such as:

Did the characters’ feelings match the feelings that were discussed when researching the actual riots?
Did the looters have the right to steal from their neighbors? Why or why not?
How do you think the looters felt?
How did the pets in the story compare to the humans?
What do you think happened to the characters the next day? The next week?

Ask students to choose one of the following products to create and present:

A multifaceted collage like those of the illustrator that represents the student’s own neighborhood.
A poem about the story, designed to look like the front page of a newspaper.
A Box of Valuables: Ask the students to imagine that their apartments were on fire. They may fill a box (dimensions of the teacher’s choosing) with what they deem to be valuable. A written explanation must accompany each item in the box. If the student presents the item to the class orally, ask the student which item they might be willing to give to a neighbor in need. Ask them how it would make them feel.