The Way a Door Closes

I was very excited to read this book when I found it because I enjoy reading stories told in narrative poems, and even though I wasn't completely aware of what it was about when I got it, I am not disappointed that I picked it up. The first half of The Way a Door Closes introduces and follows C.J. through life with his happy family as they start their day, have father-son outings, and take family pictures together. So it comes as a complete surprise when C.J.'s dad loses his job and walks out on the entire family, just devastating. C.J. being the oldest steps up at 13 and his emotions about it are on every page as he tries to be strong but only wants to crumble in despair. Winter Word, is my favorite poem of the entire story the last show more line giving me chills when his mother asks her son how she looks before going out again, angry that she's still married to his dad and pretending like she's single, he looks her dead in the eyes and say, "You look like you forgot." I'd never think someone so young would say that but it shows how fast someone can grow when times get hard. show less

Written in poetic style, this is a story of a 13 year old boy whose father left the family after losing his job. Excellently told from the perspective of the young man who struggles with the father who was warm and loving, and now has abandoned his family. He shares he sense of self esteem, his disappointment, and disbelief.

A lot of emotion is covered in this small, but mighty book.

In fifty pages, filled with magnificently illustrated pictures rendered in alkyds on Strathmore paper, with words chosen and placed so precisely on each page, the reader is effortlessly transported into the mind and heart of thirteen year old Cameron James. Hope Anita Smith centers the perceptive and insightful story told in prose and lyrical rhyming verse, around a father who leaves his family and the emotional turmoil and pain it causes his wife, his mother, and his three children. Shane W. Evans, fills the characters with life and depth, his carefully drawn images brimming with honest facial expressions and body language that speak off the pages. This book is a brilliant fusion of words and pictures that will have a profound and show more thoughtful impact on all readers. show less

Exquisite illustrated book narrating a story on poems about the world of a 13 year old African American boy whose father had left his family when times are harsher. For the emotional content of these poems, in free verses with colloquial language, this reading could be a profound experience for middle-schoolers or even high-schoolers who could see themselves reflected on it. A Coretta Scott King award!

The Way a Door Closes is a book of poems that collectively tell the story of a young boy whose father walks out on their family when times get hard. These poems show the range of emotions the young boy feels as he watches his family struggle and copes with his hurt. Finally the boy describes his fathers return and how he knows his father is now going to stay forever.

This is a book featuring various forms of poetry that tell the story of a little boy and the other members of his family and how they cope with life after their father walks out the door and doesn't come back. The poetry is beautifully written and full of emotion, very powerful and moving.

Several poems from this book could be used as an example of various forms of poetry. It could also be recommended for any student who is learning to adjust to life with an absent father.

This was a great book of poems written about a boy whose father walks out on him and his family.