This is a great picture book written by Lois Lowry and illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline. I'm drawn to books that are centered on pivotal points in history, particularly U.S. History. This book is based on Lois Lowry's experiences of her father coming home from WWII after being gone for a very long time and her struggle with his return.
Crow Call centers on Liz and her father and the journey they embark upon to reconnect after he returns from the war. While some might say that this book would be more appropriate for adults that lived through this experience (such as Lois Lowry did), I would argue that this book would be a great read for kids that currently have a parent overseas in Iraq or Afghanistan. Almost all of us know someone that is or has been stationed in one of these places in the last several years. If not, we're all at least vaguely familiar with the sacrifice that their families must endure while they are away, one of them would be having to live without a father or mother for so long and the readjustment time once they return.
What really makes this book special for me is the illustrations. They are exactly what you would expect or hope to find in a book centered on the post WWII era. They also represent the feelings of the characters in the book: the colors-to me- represent melancholy and sadness, but you can see the hopefulness in them as well.
Very good book for all generations.
I have read some of Lowry's other work and they have all been fascinating. Her life experience provides rich insights into a lot of feelings that people can go through. Just like you suggested, this books seems great for students who have family in the current wars or are just interested in the topic. I look forward to checkign out Crow call, although I won't rush into it because it seems macabre.
ReplyDelete