"Smoky Night" Reflection

Smoky Night

Bunting, E., Diaz, D. (1994). Smoky night. San Diego: Harcourt Brace.

Genre: picture book, fiction-realistic fiction

In this somber story, a young boy and his mother are living in a rough neighborhood. They hear loud noises coming from the streets, which the mother explains is the sound of people rioting. The young boy doesn't understand why the people are angry and why they are destroying the businesses and cars around their home. It is revealed during the riot that Daniel's mother does not get along with a neighbor in their building named Ms. Kim, The boy and his mother think the worst is over when they go to bed. However, the worst is just beginning. Their building is on fire! Daniel and his mother have to get out of the apartment, but he can't find his beloved cat, Jasmine. Everyone is rushing out of the building and head to a shelter to have somewhere to sleep. A neighbor tells Daniel he thinks he saw Jasmine get away. Suddenly, a firefighter shows up with Jasmine and another cat under his arms! Daniel is so excited to see that his cat his safe, and finds out the other cat belongs to Ms. Kim. Daniel and his mother find out that the cats kept each other safe in the fire, which sheds light on the neighbors' relationship. If their cats can get along, maybe they should be friends after all. 

This is the third Eve Bunting book I've read recently ("The Wednesday Surprise" and "Train to Somewhere"). All three books are very realistic and relatable. The tone in all three books is very similar, however I see the most similarities between this story, "Smoky Night", and "Train to Somewhere". They both have a sad, somber tone and deal with realistic life events. Both stories also  have an uplifting ending. It may not be exactly considered a "happy" ending, but both stories finish better than they could. For example, Daniel and his mother will still have to deal with the fire damage, but at least they made a new friend who was formerly an enemy. In "Train to Somewhere" Marianne is hoping to find her mother at one of the train stops. She never finds her mother, but she does get adopted by a nice couple. 

The illustrations in "Smoky Night" were very different than the other two Bunting books, in fact they were very different than any other picture book I can think of. The illustrator, David Diaz, uses cool colors and dark tones throughout the story. The illustrations also have an abstract look to them. Although you can tell what the illustrations are, they are very far from being realistic. They have very hard, straight lines and shapes. Some pages look as if they are a collage of various materials that would be found in the story. It looks as if you were able to feel the illustrations they would include various textures. 

I would use this story as a lesson on making connections with my students. Many students in my class can connect and empathize with Daniel and feeling scared at times in their own home. Also, this story teaches a good lesson in not "judging a book by it's cover". Daniel's mother did not want to befriend Ms. Kim because she was not their kind, but in the end they learned to get along.