Smoky Night

This powerful picture book explores urban unrest through a child's perspective, as a young boy and his mother must evacuate their apartment during nighttime riots. The story tackles complex themes of community conflict and racial tension with remarkable sensitivity for young readers, using the symbolic connection between neighbors' estranged cats to illuminate deeper social divisions. David Diaz's Caldecott Medal-winning mixed-media illustrations create a visually striking narrative that balances the intensity of the situation with artistic beauty.

While the subject matter addresses challenging real-world events, the treatment remains developmentally appropriate for elementary school children, focusing on resilience and human connection. Families living in diverse urban environments will find particular resonance in this story, though its messages of bridging differences and finding common ground have universal appeal. The book provides a gentle yet honest starting point for conversations about community, empathy, and what brings people together during difficult times.