AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR: Elisa Bartose/ Ted Lewis
PUBLISHER: Harper Collins Publishers PUBLICATION DATE: Library of Congress Cataloging-In-Publication Data
GENRE: Historical fiction READING LEVEL: K-3rd grade
BRIEF OVERVIEW: This story takes place long ago when there was
no electricity and the streetlights in Little Italy had to be lit by hand.
In this story a young boy named Peppe comes from a poor family
and although he is just a young boy he is searching for a job. This
reflects how different life was for children in history. Peppe’s father
did not think a lamplighter was the best job for Peppe, however one
night Peppe finally earns his father’s respect when being a
lamplighter became “The best job in America”.
INTEGRATED ACTIVITY: The teacher will ask the students what jobs they remember
no electricity and the streetlights in Little Italy had to be lit by hand.
In this story a young boy named Peppe comes from a poor family
and although he is just a young boy he is searching for a job. This
reflects how different life was for children in history. Peppe’s father
did not think a lamplighter was the best job for Peppe, however one
night Peppe finally earns his father’s respect when being a
lamplighter became “The best job in America”.
INTEGRATED ACTIVITY: The teacher will ask the students what jobs they remember
Peppe trying to get before he became the
lamplighter? These include a job at the bakery,
the candy store, and the
grocery store. The teacher will write these jobs on the board as
the students
answer. The teacher will tell the students that these were some common
jobs
during this time in history. Then the teacher will ask the students what other
jobs
are available today in their community? Examples could be fire fighters,
car mechanics,
a barber, actors, bakers, writers and many more.
REVIEWER’S NAME & AFFILIATION: Mary Anna Dozier, Valdosta State University
