Book Thoughts: Smoky Night (Bunting)

  • a boy witnesses and is victim to rioting on his street and home
  • intense topic–parental pre-read is advised
  • written soon after the infamous Los Angeles riots in the early 1990s
  • neighbors overcome prejudices and friendship is born from the hardship

Type: picture book
Ages: 6-9
Author: Eve Bunting
Illustrator: David Diaz

The little boy and his mother have a firsthand experience at the depraved behavior involved in riots. It ends well, but I will reiterate my suggestion for the parent to pre-read first. However, there’s also a good chance that the adults are more affected than the children! We can visualize the bigger picture and know the destruction left behind riots.

Overall, it’s an acceptable way to introduce this type of event to kids.

Keenly Kept is reader-supported. Links occasionally include affiliate products which may earn me income at no extra cost to you. I only share items I love!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Join the bookish fun...

Subscribe for the monthly update and access to exclusive freebies.