The Stranger

Title: The Stranger

Author and Illustrator: Chris Van Allsburg

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company (http://www.hmhco.com/)

Publication Date: 1986

Genre: Picture book

Audience: Grades PreK-2

Awards: The New York Times best illustrated children's book, Parent's Choice Award for Illustration from the Parents' Choice Foundation

Overview: This book is about a man who loses his memory when he is hit by a truck. The farmer who accidentally hit him takes him into his home until he can remember who he is. While the stranger is staying there, the family notices small signs that this man is no ordinary human. For example, he is able to play and talk with wild rabbits, and seems to have a fascination with migrating geese. They also notice that the season is not changing to fall like it should be. One day, the stranger stands on a hill and looks all around realizing that the leaves are beautiful colors of red and orange everywhere except for the few miles surrounding the farm where he has been staying. All of a sudden he remembers who he is. We know this because the next day he is dressed back in his own clothes and says goodbye to the family. The story ends as a mystery as to who the stranger is, but every year when the frost comes and fall begins to settle in, the farmer sees a message written in frost on the windows, "See you next fall."

Activity: I think this book would make a great book for a discussion/debate. This is the first activity that came into my head after reading, because I immediately wanted someone else to read it so that we could talk about it together. The story really makes you think and consider very small details. I think a class discussion about who the stranger is, or even a debate if there are just a couple of ideas about who he is, would really work well with the story.

Reviewer's Name: Allison Parsons