How Many Days to America? (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition)

by Eve Bunting

Overview

Refugees from a Caribbean island embark on a dangerous boat trip to America where they have a special reason to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780833552952
Publisher:	Perfection Learning Corporation
Publication date:	04/04/2019
Edition description:	THIS EDITION IS INTENDED FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	1,083,225
Product dimensions:	9.40(w) x 11.30(h) x 0.30(d)
Lexile:	580L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 11 Years

About the Author

Storytelling and the magic of words have always been important to Eve Bunting. She grew up in Northern Ireland, where storytelling is a tradition, and came to America as a young mother. Eve writes every day and her ideas come from what excites and interests her. She has the unique ability to address contemporary social issues, from homelessness to illiteracy, in a sensitive manner, and at the same time to explore the dynamics of family relationships. Eve Bunting is the author of more than 200 beloved books for young people, from preschoolers to teenagers. Among her many popular picture books for Clarion are THE WALL, FLY AWAY HOME, and TRAIN TO SOMEWHERE. Ms. Bunting lives in Pasadena, California.

Editorial Reviews

A family flees its native country in a small boat and lands in America on a particularly appropriate holiday; PW called this ``a Thanksgiving story that knows no season or race, but is for everyone all year 'round.'' Ages 3-8. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Gr 1-4 A brown-skinned mother hides her son and daughter under the bed when soldiers come to their home in the night. Afterwards, the father declares that they must flee immediately, taking with them only the things they can carry. Their journey is difficult, and they encounter many obstacles before they finally sight land and are towed ashore by a boat. They have landed in America, it is Thanksgiving Day, and this band of refugees is safe and free at last. Bunting's simple tale focuses on the hardships of the journey and on the American ideals of freedom and safety. She wisely leaves aside the issues of politics in the homeland or in this country. Her prose is poetically spare, as her runaways move ``silently along the secret streets.'' Peck's richly colored crayon drawings yield added enjoyment each time they are perused. The mood changes from dark shades of desperation during the journey to the lighter tones of joy as the travelers at last find their refuge. Other titles on this subject that are equally valuable are Barbara Cohen's Molly's Pilgrim (1983) and Gooseberries to Oranges (1982, both Lothrop). A poignant story and a thought-provoking discussion starter. Ruth Semrau, Lovejoy School, McKinney, Tex.

School Library Journal