Jackson, Tiffany D. (2024). Trick-or-Treating In The City. Dial Books for Young Readers.
*Downloadable activity sheets at the end of this post!
Janelle was really looking forward to Halloween. She had he doctor costume all fixed up and her parents were ready to help her carve her pumpkin and get set for trick-or-treating.
Most years, Janelle’s mom would take her to the suburbs to look at all the decorated houses and get the best candy. But this year, she had to work, and her dad would be running his store. She needed to figure out different trick-or-treating plans this year. She asked all her friends what they were doing, and was invited to a bunch of different options…at the rec center, her friend’s cousin’s apartment building, another neighborhood.
Then, as she and her father were carving their pumpkins that night, she asked him how he used to Trick-or-Treat. He told her about how when he was her age, there were “real monsters” in his neighborhood so the parents kept their kids at home, that is until the neighborhood came together and had a block party, so the kids would have a safe place to celebrate Halloween. He explains how some folks on the block they live on right now are afraid the “monsters” will come back, so they don’t go out. That gives Janelle some more to think about.
The next day, as she is running around the neighborhood with her dad, she asks the adults what THEY did for trick-or-treating, still gathering information to decide what she was going to do. Some went to other apartment buildings. Others, fall festivals. Others went to different neighborhoods.
Listening to everyone’s experiences gave her an idea, and her daddy loved it!
Janelle went to school on the morning of Halloween and told her friends she was going to her dad’s story for Halloween, and that they were all invited for cookies and candy and a good time!
She helped him decorate and the neighborhood business owners/neighbors all chipped in to help make it a success, as all Janelle’s friends came, and then some!
“And they all had a very happy Halloween.” (I just love this kid in the tomato costume)
This was a great book on so many levels. Sawyer Cloud’s illustrations were fantastic and really gave you a feel for the neighborhood and the people. The book also dealt with some really tough subjects, like maybe not being quite so safe in your neighborhood, and other kids’ experiences, but it also showed the power a kid could have in making that neighborhood safer, cohesive, and the power of community! I LOVED it! It was very well done, and very accessible.
Recommended Ages: 4-7
Activity Sheets:
Original Source: https://penguinrandomhouseelementaryeducation.com/book/?isbn=9780593110287#additional_formats
