The House in the Night

This book by Susan Marie Swanson incorporates black, white and marigold yellow into a poetic, circular lullaby. The girls liked the book, but when it came to breaking down the story, they had a difficult time with the specifics, and with good reason. To me, the book was about cycles -- the sun and the moon, the father and the child -- and the constants that remain despite the changes of time -- the key (invention), the book (art), the bird and stars (nature).

Rachel rationalized the non-linear nature of the story by calling it a dream. And maybe she was right. The boy did curl up on his bed at the end and wait for morning.
Main character: The boy
Setting: The boy's house
Here's what happened: He liked the book and he dremed (dreamed) about it.
My favorite part: When he dremed (dreamed) about it.









Audrey wasn't sure which character she was supposed to be focusing on. There was no true protagonist in this story.
Main character: Maybe the boy, maybe the bird
Setting: In the night, in the house
What happened: The dad gave the boy the key. The boy read the book about the bird. The boy went to bed.
My favorite part: When the boy read the book.