Smoky night

Bunting, E. & Diaz, D. (1994). Smoky night. San Diego, CA: Harcourt Brace and Co.

Against the backdrop of the LA riots, Bunting tells the story of Daniel and his mom, Gina, who are forced to leave their home during the tumult. They witness looting and violence, and their apartment building is set on fire. The social strife is handled delicately, and most of the tension is approached through the tension of Daniel’s missing cat. The story also shows how a neighbor, Ms. Kim, is displaced, and we learn that there is racial conflict between Gina and Ms. Kim, which is ultimately overcome through shared worry about pets and an awareness of similar struggle. Diaz’s illustrations—acrylic painting over collage—creates a dramatic backdrop to a story about cultural strife, racism, community, and communication.