Author: Lois Lowry
Illustrator: Bagram Ibatoulline
Publisher: Scholastic
Publication Year: 2009
Location: Knox County Public Library- Lawson McGhee
Awards: Booklist starred review
Summary: (An autobiographical story) Liz's father has just returned from war and he is a stranger to her. The two set off on a morning together, sharing breakfast of cherry pie at the diner and then heading out into the woods to hunt. They talk about the war and then Liz calls dozens of crows into the trees. Liz's joy in the crows is evident and her father decides not to hunt them that morning after all as the two head back down the hill hand in hand. A sweet book of the relationship between father and daughter.
Classroom Ideas: The description in this book is amazing: "Grass, frozen after its summer softness, crunches under our feet: the air is sharp and supremely clear, free from the floating pollens of summer; and our words seem etched and breakable on the brittle stillness." The setting is shown through the details in the illustrations- the signs in the diner, haircuts, and the car they drive; but the book would be relevant for any child whose parent has served in the military.
Extras: Author's note with a photograph of Lois Lowry from that time period.
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