The Composition

People Pedro knows are being taken away by the government. It’s a scary time. Then a general comes to Pedro’s school and announces a contest for the best composition. The theme? What My Family Does at Night.

This little picture book shines. It could have easily been a diatribe against dictatorships

but the author makes his point without lecturing. And, in the process, he shares little moments in the lives of families during this scary time.

Here’s a little bit from the story, with Pedro talking to his friend about the essay.

“What are you going to write?” he (Pedro) asked.

“Anything,” said Juan. “How about you?”

“I don’t know,” said Pedro.

“What did your parents do yesterday?” asked Juan.

“Same as usual. They came show more home, they are, they listened to the radio, they went to bed.”

“Just like my mother.”

My mother started crying,” said Pedro.

“Mothers are always crying,” said Juan.

“I hardly ever cry,” said Pedro. “I haven’t cried for a year.”

“What about if I hit you and you get a black eye. Would you cry then?” asked Juan.

“Why would you do that when you’re my friend?” said Pedro.

“That’s true. I wouldn’t,” answered Juan. show less

Pedro is a somewhat small 9 year old (or that's what the neighborhood boys say, at least) who loves soccer and loves spending time with his family. But when neighborhood folks start to be taken away by the military, Pedro begins to have a nagging feeling something bad is happening. Pedro uses wit and communication skills to learn more about the political environment and support his family and friends.

A beautifully written and illustrated tale that drew me in from the start to finish, with unexpected depth and a profound theme of standing up to abuses of power at any age.

Media: Watercolor
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Critique: This book is a realistic fiction and paints a vivid picture of what is taking place in many countries around the world which are currently ruled by dictatorships. This book is also a good example of plot. The conflict of the dictatorship arises when people start getting arrested. The tension rises as the officers forces students to write papers about what their family does, and the climax is when we fear Pedro has given away his family in his paper.

Una familia en el contexto de la dictadura en Chile, conmocionada por la visita de un militar al colegio y la propuesta de escribir una composición sobre lo que hace la familia

La composición es un ejemplo de las injusticias del gobierno en un lugar se llama Perú. Es una historia de dos niños se encuentran disposición porque un padre estaba en un situación mal. Creo que este libro se demostrada un situación real en una manera sensitiva. Pero, también el libro es triste porque hay muchas situaciones reales como este en muchas países con los gobiernos como este.

Pedro está de cumpleñaos y recibe de regalo una pelota de plástico. La historia trascurre en pleno gobierno militar, tiempo en el cual los padres de Pedro escuchan la radio, para así poder informarse de las noticias nacionales.

Pedro está de cumpleñaos y recibe un regalo, una pelota de plástico. La historia trascurre en pleno gobierno militar, tiempo en el cual los padres de Pedro escuchan la radio, para así poder informarse de las noticias nacionales.