How Many Days to America?: A Thanksgiving Story

by Eve Bunting, Beth Peck (Illustrator)

Overview

After the police come, a family is forced to flee their Caribbean island and set sail for America in a small fishing boat.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780395547779
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	10/01/1990
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	343,481
Product dimensions:	8.81(w) x 11.25(h) x 0.12(d)
Lexile:	580L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 7 Years

About the Author

Eve Bunting was the beloved, award-winning author of more than two hundred and fifty books for young people, including the Caldecott Medal-winning Smoky Night, illustrated by David Diaz, The Wall, Fly Away Home, and Train to Somewhere.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"A moving fictional presentation of the perilous voyage of a group of Caribbean refugees to this country." Kirkus Reviews with Pointers

Editorial Reviews

"Bunting’s simple tale focuses on the hardships of the journey and on the American ideals of freedom and safety. . . . 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. . . . A poignant story and a thought-provoking discussion starter." — School Library Journal

"A moving fictional presentation of the perilous voyage of a group of Caribbean refugees to this country. . . . Peck’s beautiful full-color, double-spread illustrations capture the dignity and humanity of these humble folk, the somber night sky, and the sweep of the sea. . . . A compassionate depiction of the plight of many of our recent would-be immigrants." — Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

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