Blueberries+For+Sal

=Blueberries For Sal= == =Author: Robert McCloskey= Book Review By: Allison Reis


 * Bibliographical Data:**

"Blueberries for Sal" By Robert McCloskey Publisher: Puffin; Pap/Com Re edition (June 24, 2010) Paperback ISBN-13: 978-0142416433 Reading level: Ages 3 and up Page Numbers: 64 pages Literary Awards: Caldecott Honor (1949) **Author Biography:** Robert McCloskey was an American author for children's books, who unfortunately passed away in June of 2003. McCloskey is still remembered by the great books he illustrated and wrote. He has been honored with two awards for his books, which were the Caldecott Medal and The American Library Association's award. McCloskey wrote many children's books such as //Make Way for Ducklings, Time of Wonder,// and //One Morning in Maine.// McCloskey spent most of his summers in Maine, with his wife and two daughters. Some of his books are based on the experiences he had in Maine. **Summary:** Blueberries for Sal is a book about a girl known as "little Sal" in the book who goes blueberry picking with her mother on Blueberry Hill. Sal's mothers wanted to pick blueberries so she can take them home and can them so they have food for the winter. Sal, on the other hand, was focusing on eating the blueberries, even the ones she picked and put in her pail. As Sal and her mother were picking blueberries, little bear and mama bear were eating blueberries and filling their bellies for the winter ahead. Both Sal and little bear sat down to rest and eat blueberries and soon realized they lost their mother! Sal and little bear encountered eachother's mothers, thinking they were following their own mom. Sal's mother and little bear's mother realized their child was not behind them, and started looking for their own child. The book ended with little bear finding his mom and Sal finding her mom, and both mother and child walking down on opposite sides of Blueberry Hill to go home. **Book Review:** I really enjoyed reading this book! I think it is a good book to read right before winter approaches, and if the students are learning about how people and animals get ready for the winter. This book illustrates how Sal and her mom were getting ready for winter, and how little bear and mama bear were getting ready for winter also. Both mother and child were preparing for winter in different way. I think students will enjoy reading this book because not only is it informational but it also keeps the students guessing. Both Sal and little bear got lost, and that element of the book can intrigue the students into the story, and they can make predictions on how the book will end! **Literary Element Analysis:** One main literary element that is evident in Blueberries for Sal is the theme. Blueberries for Sal has four main characters, Sal and her mother, and little bear and mama bear. All of these characters go to Blueberry Hills get blueberries for the winter that is approaching them. Sal's mother wants blueberries to can them for the winter, where mama bear wants her and her child to consume many blueberries so they stay full for the winter ahead. This book portrays how people and animals get ready for winter. Both Sal and mama bear need to prepare for winter, and both want blueberries, but they both do different things with the blueberries. Even though Sal's mother is canning them, and mama bear is eating them, they both need food and need to be prepared for the season change. This book can be an opening to a lesson on seasons and how people and animals prepare for the change of seasons.