Peppe the Lamplighter: A Caldecott Honor Award Winner

This is a moving historical fiction story of an immigrant boy who--after being turned away again and again--finds a job lighting the gas street lamps in the big city in the latter 1800s to early 1900s. He is Italian and lives in "little Italy," perhaps the poorest Italian immigrant slum (ghetto) in New York City. The family needs money and Peppe knows it. But his ill and out-of-work father is ashamed that Peppe has taken such a low-paying, and low-status job. This is such an embarrassment to his father that he believes his only son will amount to nothing, and he tells Peppe so. But as the story unfolds, his father comes to realize how important lamplighting is, especially when one of his beloved daughters goes missing on the darkened streets. This is an emotional story of the relationships and love within an immigrant family, and of Peppe who wants to please his father, but doesn't until..... The Creative Teacher: Activities for Language Arts (Grades 4 through 8 and Up)

The most beautiful illustrations I have ever seen.

We read this book as a family and it translates well for all generations. The book itself was of excellent quality - crisp, clean pages, easy to hold, easy to read in a group setting. The story can get a little sad, so keep that in mind before reading. It definitely has a more serious tone than a silly or fun one. A perfect accompaniment to furthering the education and growth/maturity of children. It is great for reading aloud.

Great story. Purchased for a school requirement.

This is a wonderful book. It gave my first graders a better understanding of just how lucky they are to be born in this wonderful USA. It was a wonderful moment when I asked my amazing Hispanic student, who came to this country just a year ago, why his family came to America? Ahahh moment. He said, "we came for a better life, just like Peppe." What is old is also new.

Beautiful story and illustrations. Great message.

Great book for economics unit.

Found on the MENSA reading list.

I loved this story, it made me cry. Also it gave me an appreciation and insight into another job that used to have to be done by hand.