Blackout

Author & Illustrator:   John Rocco
Publisher:  Hyperion
Publication Year:   2011
Location: Knox County Public Library- Lawson McGhee

Awards:   Caldecott honor, NYT Best Book, Kirkus Best Book, Publisher's Weekly Best Book, School Library Journal Best Book
 
Summary: One summer night, the city is going about its normal routine and everyone is too busy to spend time together. Until there's a city-wide blackout. When the family gets hot inside, they up to the roof and there are lots of people there star-watching. They soon discover that there's a flashlight and candle-lit party going on in the street too. When the lights come back on, the family decides to keep the candles lit and spend time together anyway. The dramatic dark illustrations really bring this story to life.

Classroom Ideas: The theme of technology and time are an important one in the story. This book would be a great companion to Cordell's Hello! Hello!