4+)Ī paean to teachers and their surrogates everywhere. An outstandingly handsome book that represents its subject realistically while underplaying the worst of its horrors an excellent vehicle for discussion. Defined in heavy black, the expressionistically rendered faces are intense with smoky shades and dark, neon-lit color. Diaz's art - rough-edged acrylic paintings mounted on collages of paper, burnt matches, and materials that might be found blowing on a California street - is extraordinarily powerful. Kims' make friends at the shelter, the people realize that they, too, could be friendly. But they look happy, too.' The story is rounded out with a touch of reconciliation: Mama has't patronized Kim's market ('.it's better if we buy from our own people') but, after Daniel's cat and Mrs. They don't care anymore what's right.After a while it's like a game,' while Daniel observes, 'They look angry.

Though Bunting offers no reasons for the violence, she succinctly describes the mob's psychology.

When it quiets down the two fall asleep, only to be roused: their building is burning, so they escape, through ravaged streets, to a shelter. Standing well back from their window, Daniel and his mama watch looters steal TVs and break into Kim's market.

A noted author ( Fly Away Home, 1991) brings all her empathy and creative skill to another timely topic: an inner-city riot.

Smoky night by eve bunting