Linda Lipko's Reviews > Peppe the Lamplighter
Peppe the Lamplighter
by
by
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The 1994 Caldecott Honor book is filled with page after page of beautiful illustrations telling the tale of the search for the American dream.
Peppe's large Italian family immigrated to the United States. His father was sick and his mother was dead, thus with little money, they settled in a tenement on Mulberry Street, As he only male child in the family, Peppe sought work and found a job as the lamplighter.
In frustration his father lashed out night after night expressing anger and pent up disappointment, Peppe was told his job and that he did not bring his family to America for his son to be a mere lamplighter.
When, one night his father looked down on him from the window and told him that he belonged to the streets, Peppe cried. When his father told him he was ashamed, Peppe cried and began to believe his father was correct.
When afraid of the nastiness, his young sister ran away into the darkness, Peppe's father realized the importance of his job. Lighting the lamps enabled Peppe to find his sister.
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Rich in history, accurate in cultural beliefs, I highly recommend this book.
Peppe's large Italian family immigrated to the United States. His father was sick and his mother was dead, thus with little money, they settled in a tenement on Mulberry Street, As he only male child in the family, Peppe sought work and found a job as the lamplighter.
In frustration his father lashed out night after night expressing anger and pent up disappointment, Peppe was told his job and that he did not bring his family to America for his son to be a mere lamplighter.
When, one night his father looked down on him from the window and told him that he belonged to the streets, Peppe cried. When his father told him he was ashamed, Peppe cried and began to believe his father was correct.
When afraid of the nastiness, his young sister ran away into the darkness, Peppe's father realized the importance of his job. Lighting the lamps enabled Peppe to find his sister.
--------------------
Rich in history, accurate in cultural beliefs, I highly recommend this book.
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Reading Progress
June 19, 2013
– Shelved as:
to-read
June 19, 2013
– Shelved
Started Reading
December 10, 2013
–
Finished Reading
January 8, 2014
– Shelved as:
caldecott-honor-winner
January 8, 2014
– Shelved as:
children-s-illustrated-books