Johnston, T (2006). Angel City. New York, N Y: Philomel Books.  Illustrated by Carol Byard.  ISBN: 0-399-23405-5.

In a dumpster in Los Angeles a young Spanish baby is found by a black man named Joseph.  Joseph raises this boy as his son, but continues teaching Juan everything about his culture.

The colored illustrations are rendered in acrylic on paper.

Allusion 

“In the barrio old man Joseph hears of a mural, a vast wall splashed with the angry paint of the great David Siqueiros."  Page 16

“While the old man heat SpaghettiOs, Juan crayons on the wall.  Pop-pop sighs, “Perhaps that’s how Siqueiros began.”  Page 18

David Alfaro Siqueiros was an artist and political activist born in Mexico and famous for his painting of murals. 

Rating:  5Q/3P

MWood

Johnston, T. (2006). Angel City. New York, N Y: Philomel Books.  Illustrated by Carol Byard.  ISBN: 0-399-23405-5.

In moving free-verse style, the story details the loving family relationship between Joseph, an older African-American, and the abandoned baby he discovers and is determined to raise amid the realities of urban life in modern Los Angeles.  With the help of neighbors, Joseph is able instill in his son both his own Southern heritage as well as the boy’s Mexican heritage. The dangers of urban life hit close to home.  The metaphorical language makes the rich text come alive.

Literary Devices:  Similes/Metaphors/Allusion/Symbolism

Examples of metaphors:

Old Joseph finds “a baby, perfect and new.  Swaddled in dawn.

“A storm comes from nowhere, stinging the streets with bullet-rain.”

“Next door there is a vacant lot, jeweled with bits of broken glass.”

“Full of candy, the pinata waits . . . with wild broom-swipes, Juan spills its sweet rain.”

Curricular connections:  Blending of cultures in American society/Grade 11/CA HSS 11.8 and 11.11 and Grade 4 and 5/ History-Social Science