Keeping the Night Watchby Hope Anita Smith
Syndetic Solutions - [Book Review for 9780805072020] Book Review : School Library Journal
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Starred Review. Gr 5–8—This book picks up where The Way a Door Closes (Holt, 2003) left off. Now that C.J.'s father, who had left the family, has returned, the teen notes that dinners are like "a roomful of strangers" and that he feels weighed down by "brick heavy" questions. Wise beyond his years, eldest son C.J. felt it was his role to "keep the night watch" during his father's absence. Now, he feels displaced in his own home and seethes with anger and resentment. Gradually, everyone starts to move on: C.J. experiences the awkward elation of first love, tries his hand at shaving, and argues and makes up with his best friend. His little sister sends love notes to each family member, and, at book's end, C.J. and his family come together: "We dance on our tears." As in the previous book, Smith masterfully brings her characters to life from the inside out in straightforward free verse. Lewis uses his brilliantly composed, watercolor-and-ink paintings to underscore the strong emotions of the text. This hopeful book celebrates the power of families to heal and overcome hard times. It will speak to the hearts of many readers.—Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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Syndetic Solutions - [Book Review for 0805072020] Book Review : BookList
: From BookList, March 15, 2008, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission. : *Starred Review* Smith's The Way a Door Closes (2003), illustrated by Shane Evans, ends when Daddy returns home after leaving his family. In this sequel (with art by Lewis), 13-year-old C. J. struggles with his anger, pain, and sense of betrayal, unable to forgive Daddy, scared to hope or let his feelings show. The words are simple ("Am I safe? Will you stay?"), and the beautiful watercolor pictures of the African American family have the same quiet intensity as pictures in the first book, whether they depict the standoffs between characters or the seething teen all alone. Daddy says he's sorry, but can C. J. hear him? Gradually, as things get better, the scene shifts to C. J. having fun with his friend and his crush on a classmate, but at the core is family: "Momma wears a painted-on smile that says everything is okay, now," but the portrait shows her stress as well as her strength. Although mainly free verse, there's also a sonnet, and in one chatty 26-line piece, each line begins with a different letter of the alphabet, arranged in successive order. Unlike the first book, there's nothing idyllic here, even in the stirring climax, in which C. J. surprises everyone, including himself. Rochman, Hazel. : | distributed by Syndetic Solutions, LLC.: |
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