Status
Available
Genres
Collection
Publication
New York : An Anne Schwartz Book/Atheneum Books for Young Readers, c2003.
Description
In the early years of the twentieth century, a Swedish family encounters separation and other hardships upon immigrating to New York City until the son is cast in a silent movie, in a picture book that evokes an actual silent movie.
User reviews
LibraryThing member raizel
An immigrant family experience told in the style of a silent movie. The young boy is hired by a movie director and brings his family together and makes a lot money. The illustrator explains that he uses the number and size of pictures on a page to suggest speed. Cleverly done introduction to the
Show More
immigrant experience and silent movies. Show Less
LibraryThing member bamabreezin4
I do like the format of this book. It makes the book look almost like a silent movie, with text caption pages between the black-and-white pictures of the movie. The story is somewhat inspirational, but very basic.
LibraryThing member alimcc
Avi's picture book "Silent Movie" follows Gustave, an Italian immigrant, and his "mamma" as they try and find their way in the land of opportunity.
Avi draws from the medium of silent movies to tell Gustave's story, which, coincidentally, hinges on the making of one of these movies. After Gustave's
The combination of the text and images, which work together beautifully, gives the reader the sensation that he/she is indeed watching a silent movie. Although the text highlights important plot points, the real story is in the illustrations. As with a silent movie, there is much happening in the pictures -- in the characters' facial expressions, in the actions not relayed in words, in the details of the pictures -- that not only enhances but is an integral part of the story. C.B. Mordan's illustrations are entirely in black and white, just as the early moving pictures were, and often there are several "frames" on a single page, in which actions or events are portrayed without words. The book itself is not only an homage to silent movies, it is as though it is made up of frames of film lifted from one.
This book is a heartwarming story that captures the feel of the movies, as well as the hope and wonder often associated with immigrating to America at the turn of the century. Although it may not be an entirely historically accurate portrayal, it isn't meant to be. It is more an homage to the magic of the movies -- where anything can happen and happy endings are always possible. This book is recommended for grades K-3, as it is a picture book and may lose the interest of older readers.
Avi draws from the medium of silent movies to tell Gustave's story, which, coincidentally, hinges on the making of one of these movies. After Gustave's
Show More
father immigrates to America, he spends his days working in order to make enough money to send for his wife and son. Finally, Gustave and Mama follow in Papa's footsteps and land on Ellis Island. In the confusion and bustle, however, the family cannot find one another and are not reunited. In order to survive, Gustave's Mama begins working at a factory for a dollar a week and the two continue to search for Papa, who is looking for them as well. One day, Gustave stumbles upon the set of a silent film, and the director casts him in a role. One night, Papa decides to watch a movie and sees his long-lost son staring back at him on the screen! Overjoyed at the knowledge that his family is alive and well, Papa runs to the lot where the movies are made and is reunited with his wife and son. The combination of the text and images, which work together beautifully, gives the reader the sensation that he/she is indeed watching a silent movie. Although the text highlights important plot points, the real story is in the illustrations. As with a silent movie, there is much happening in the pictures -- in the characters' facial expressions, in the actions not relayed in words, in the details of the pictures -- that not only enhances but is an integral part of the story. C.B. Mordan's illustrations are entirely in black and white, just as the early moving pictures were, and often there are several "frames" on a single page, in which actions or events are portrayed without words. The book itself is not only an homage to silent movies, it is as though it is made up of frames of film lifted from one.
This book is a heartwarming story that captures the feel of the movies, as well as the hope and wonder often associated with immigrating to America at the turn of the century. Although it may not be an entirely historically accurate portrayal, it isn't meant to be. It is more an homage to the magic of the movies -- where anything can happen and happy endings are always possible. This book is recommended for grades K-3, as it is a picture book and may lose the interest of older readers.
Show Less
LibraryThing member timothyl33
A touching book by Avi about coming to America at the turn of the century and of the magic of the silver screen, before the advent of the 'talkies'.
LibraryThing member liss2
This book is set up like a movie that is in black and white. It is a picture book about immigrants coming to America. The way it is set up no matter what language the immigrants speak it's all the same understandable language. Would be great for a 5th grade class room. Could be used in a history
Show More
lesson about immigration and language barriers. Show Less
LibraryThing member matthewbloome
Maybe I'm just not the type who would have enjoyed silent movies but while I liked this story, I wasn't captivated. I like the discussion about the silent movie at the end. An alright book.
LibraryThing member sloth852
I loved the art in this historical fiction picture book, which used the style of silent movies to tell the story of an immigrant family.
Subjects
Awards
Notable Children's Book (2004)