Smoky Night by Eve Bunting

CONTROVERSIAL BOOK

This story is about people, and cats, that are brought together in a city during a nigh of intense rioting. The book displays the violence of riots, as people are raging in the streets setting fires and looting. In the story the mother attempts to explain a riot to her son Daniel by telling him "It can happen when people get angry." The book also deals with issues of race and racism. For example, the mother and child don't go to Mrs. Kim's marker because, as the mother explains to Daniel, "...it's better if we buy from our own people." Finally, a fire breaks out in the family's apartment building and they are forced to stay in a shelter for a few days before being allowed back in the building. The illustrations are extremely original and unique, and they are expressive paintings that could easily stand alone as art work. I think this book would be considered controversial because it deals with race and rioting in an urban environment. However, I really enjoyed this book because it had an excellent story and wonderful illustrations. I would certainly use this book with 4th or 5th graders.