Author: Hope Anita Smith
Illustrator: E.B. Lewis
Publisher: Henry Holt & Co. Publication Date: March 18, 2008
Awards: 2009 Bank Street- Best Children's Book of the Year
Genre: Narrative Verse
Reading Level: Third Grade
Brief Overview: The book is about a thirteen year old boy wose father left his family. While his father was was gone the young boy had to carry the extra weight that his father carried before he left. His father returns and the boy is unable to forgive his father. The book is full of poetry about healing as a family.
Integrated Idea: Have students pick out a poem from the book and write in a one paragraph summary what they think the poet means. Then have the students share their ideas of the poem they dissected.
Reviwers name and affiliation: Brittany Hutchins, VSU
