Outside Reading Annotated Bibliographies Assignment 1

Smoky Nights

Eve Bunting, Author

David Diaz, Illustrated

Bunting Eve. (1994). Smoky Nights. New York: Harcourt Brace & Company.

This book is the perfect example in print and illustration of how a tragic situation can bring people from different walks of life together.  It is written from a child’s point of view.  This nonfiction book parallels the lives of humans and cats from different cultural backgrounds.  The author highlights the animosity between the humans and commonality the cats discovered in their difficult situation.

Daniel and his mom are thrust into the madness of a riot in their neighborhood.  But later, everyone is forced out of their home because of a fire.  During this process, Daniel’s cat Jasmine is nowhere to be found.  Once they arrive at the shelter, they realize Ms. Kim’s cat is also missing, (a neighbor they do not get along with or her cat).  Later, a fireman locates both cats together.  The adults realized that if the cats can get along they can too.