The somber tone of the writing helps to capture the severity of the events, and the simple language brings the writing to a level appropriate for an elementary school child. Despite probably not having the same experiences as Daniel, children will find him relatable because of his natural responses to events. Despite the severity of the events in the book, it remains hopeful as the young narrator helps the adults around him recognize the interconnectedness of all people. While the book does not attempt to sugarcoat the violence, by using the perspective of a young child, the emphasis is placed more on the overcoming of the violence rather than the violence itself. The content and mood of the book is more serious than one would expect from a picture book, as it focuses on a controversial, recent event. Accompanying the childlike perspective of events are beautifully created illustrations, acrylic paintings overlaid on collage backgrounds. The book tells the story of a boy, Daniel, and his mother as they experience first-hand the race riots in Los Angeles. Smoky Night, written by Eve Bunting and illustrated by David Diaz, is the 1995 winner of the Caldecott Medal.
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