The Way a Door Closes [Hardcover]

Hope Anita Smith (Author), Shane W. Evans (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

My best friend, Preacher, is being just that. His sermon today is on fathers and I am his congregation.
“Dads are light. They have no roots.
One strong wind, and they’re gone.
Out of here. History.”

With a click, a bang, a whisper—or no noise at all. There are so many ways that a door can close, but it’s not just the closing; it’s the knowing. And thirteen-year-old CJ knows too much—about losing his father, about his family’s pain, and especially about what it means to hold things together when times are the toughest.

In this beautifully written and powerfully moving novel in poems, Hope Anita Smith tells the story of a young man’s struggle to accept a father who has walked out on his family. Here, in CJ’s words, is a portrait of hurt and healing, and finding the strength to open the door again.

 

The Way a Door Closes is the winner of the 2004 Coretta Scott King - John Steptoe New Talent Award and the 2004 Bank Street - Claudia Lewis Award and is a 2004 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-8-In 34 compelling poems, readers are drawn into the thoughts and feelings of a 13-year-old African American as he tries to understand and cope with a parent's departure from the family. The first 12 poems describe the contentment C. J. feels about being a part of a close-knit family. With the 13th poem, "The Way a Door Closes," his father abruptly leaves home. "-And when he went out the door/he held on to the knob./The door closed with a/click./I felt all the air leave the room/and we were vacuum-sealed inside./-I can tell a lot by/the way a door closes." In carefully chosen, straightforward language, Smith conveys the boy's roller-coaster emotions with pinpoint accuracy. The results are poems that are heartbreaking, angry, and tender. Done in warm shades of mostly brown, blue, and gold, Evans's color spot and full-page paintings have a realistic, slightly sculptural appearance and are a perfect complement to the poems. Good poetry touches the heart, and this offering does just that.
Mary N. Oluonye, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 5-8. In the voice of a 13-year-old boy, a series of clear, lovely poems tells a contemporary family story, and Evans' strong, realistic paintings show the deep feelings and connections in an African American home. For a long time everything is blissfully happy. A family portrait shows Daddy, proud and strong ("He stands behind us / towering over us all. / One hand rests on my shoulder, / the other caresses my mother's"). Then Daddy loses his job, and one day he leaves and doesn't come back. The plain words and beautifully individualized pictures express the family anguish ("Brother's acting like a stranger / Eyes and words are full of anger"). In the poem "Prodigal Son," Daddy finally returns, and he can't find enough words to say how sorry he is. The first part is just too idyllic, with everything absolutely perfect; but after the shocking grief of abandonment, Daddy's return seems both hopeful and realistic. Readers will be deeply moved by the portrait of a rooted, extended family that makes it through hard times. Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 52 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR); 1st edition (May 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 080506477X
• ISBN-13: 978-0805064773
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 6.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #711,916 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Fine Narrative Poetry, March 18, 2010

By 

J. Forthofer (Boulder, CO) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Way a Door Closes (Hardcover)

I enjoyed this collection of poems that parallel the evolution of a boy's family (his father leaves). Aspects of it reminded me (somewhat) of Cisnero's The House on Mango Street. I would recommend this for any teachers looking to make poetry more student-friendly at the middle school and early high school levels.

5.0 out of 5 stars enormously satisfying for all ages, January 23, 2008

By 

ricky1818 (malibu, ca) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Way a Door Closes (Hardcover)

i read this book several times, and with each reading i was drawn deeper and deeper into the rhythm of the words and the souls of the characters. it's a must-read for every age level. the author, hope smith, is a true blessing.

4.0 out of 5 stars Its all in the way the door closes, April 25, 2006

By 

James Smith - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Way a Door Closes (Hardcover)

Smith is absoluetly astounding in the way she captures the raw emotion felt by CJ. The gradmothers place in the story is gut wrenching having to watch her family in this situation. Smith should be commended as she did a wonderful job showing her audience what it is life when someone important to you walks out of your life. It's all in the way the door closes. This story explores life on so many different levels. . This is a must read for all children... Superb!

James Smith