Blackout

"Blackout" by John Rocco



Review by Lucrecia Zavala Magee

** Bibliographical Data ** · Title: Blackout · Author and Illustrator: John Rocco · Publisher: Hyperion Book CH; First Edition edition (May 24, 2011) · Hardcover: 40 pages · ISBN-13: 9780694016754 · Reading Level: 4 - 8 years · Literary Awards: **2012 Caldecott Honor Book** //New York Times// Notable Book //Wall Street Journal// Best Book of the Year //Publisher's Weekly// Best Book of the Year //School Library Journal// Best Book of the Year //Kirkus Reviews// Best Book of the Year

** Author Biography ** Rocco obtained his degree in illustration from the "Rhode Island School of Design and School of Visual Arts" in New York City. He is an American illustrator best known for illustrating the covers on the // Percy Jackson and The Olympians series. // Rocco did not take drawing seriously until he was 19 years old. He has also been an international art director in the entertainment industry. Rocco was the pre-production art director at Dreamworks for the film "Shrek". He designed attractions at Disney's Epcot and served as art director for DisneyQuest

Rocco is married to his wife Aileen and together they have a daughter Alaya. They currently live is LA. Aileen also writes and illustrates children's books. Rocco has been the author of four children books:
 * Wolf! Wolf!
 * Moonpowder
 * <span style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;">Fu Finds the Way
 * <span style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;">Blackout

This book tells about a hot summer night in the city when all the power goes out. The TV shuts off and a boy cannot watch, his sister can no longer use the phone, the mother can't work on her computer, and the father cannot finish cooking dinner. When they go up to the roof to escape the heat, they find they can see the lights of the stars and neighbors are outside, so they have "a block party in the sky". On the street below, people are having just as much fun--talking, rollerblading, and eating ice cream before it melts. The boy and his family enjoy being not so busy for once. They even have time to play a board game together. When the electricity is restored, the boy switches off the lights, and out comes the board game again.
 * Summary **

** Book Review ** This book is great for students of all ages, because we are all too dependent on modern solutions to everything, and technology has invaded our life, from very young ages. It is also a very nice book for adults to make us realize we need to keep the connection and communication with our kids; take some time off and talk, play, slow down and enjoy life. We are so used to having everything done for us that we feel lost when we are just on our own. // Blackout // allows people to use their imagination, think creatively, and have fun with the simple and most important things in life.

** Literary Element Analysis ** The __Theme__ of this book is so strong. I thought this message was not only transmitted to the readers through the text but through the illustrations as well (for example when the family discovers the stars in the sky and stare at them astonished, and the image of all the neighborhood enjoying ice-cream and sharing time with one another). It truly shows you the importance of appreciating the beauty of the simple things, and human relationships. Maintaining significant relationships with the people we have around ourselves but hardly notice because we are all so busy and lost in our own worlds of machines and craziness. Life can be so much more beautiful if we learn to take time off to invest and appreciate what really has value, such as playing boargames with our children or having a simple talk under the moonlight.