Blackout

Rocco, J. (2011). Blackout. New York, NY: Disney-Hyperion Books.

On a summer night in the city, the lights go out in the whole city. A family who was busy being busy now are "stuck" in the house with each other since nothing works. The parents try to keep the kids amused with shadow puppets and the such. Then it becomes too hot inside so they go up to the roof of the apartment building. After they enjoy the star watching and seeing other residents, they venture downstairs to the street. They get to enjoy the activities that are fun without electricity like playing in a fire hydrant, eating ice cream from a cart, sitting on the stoop enjoying each others company. Then the power comes back on. The members of the family begin to return to their normal routine. The girl in the story decides she likes it better with the lights off because she gets to spend time with her family. And they happily agree deciding that being back to normal isn't all it's cracked up to be.

A good book for young readers because there are few words on the page. The pictures also are inviting making it a good read aloud either for a class or at bedtime. This book would be a good springboard for discussions on how to spend time with family or what is really important in life. All students usually have spent time in a blackout. They may find something in common with the characters in this book.