Smoky Night
By Eve Bunting
The Story
A young boy and his mother flee their apartment during the Los Angeles riots, watching chaos unfold from a shelter as their neighborhood — and their sense of who belongs there — is tested.
Why It's Special
For families ready to talk about hard things honestly, this book meets a scary, real event with steadiness instead of looking away.
- Big idea: Getting through frightening times often means discovering common ground with neighbors you never really knew.
- Vibes: Tense, urban, unflinching, and ultimately grounded.
Perfect For Kids Who
- are curious about real news events and why they happen
- are working on understanding people different from themselves
- respond well to honest stories that don't shy from hard topics
- notice and ask about art made from torn paper and found objects
Ask Your Little Reader
- Story & problem-solving: Why did Daniel and his mother have to leave their apartment that night?
- Feelings & empathy: How do you think Daniel felt watching the riots from the shelter?
- Real-life connection: Have you ever had to leave somewhere quickly because it wasn't safe?
- Art & illustration: What do you notice about the torn-paper and collage pictures in this book?
- Big ideas: What do you think it means to get along with neighbors, even ones you don't know well?
