Angel City

by Tony Johnston, Carole Byard (Illustrator)

Illustrated by a Caldecott Honor artist, this moving tribute to the strength of family--no matter what its form--is the story of old Joseph, who finds a Mexican baby abandoned on a lonely L.A. street and vows to raise the child as his own. Full color.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Tony Johnston has written many acclaimed books for young people. She and her husband lived in Mexico for fifteen years, where they raised their children. She now lives in San Marino, California.

Reviews

[Xiaohui · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Dawn grays Los Angeles like a great pigeon wing.” The first sentence of the book spellbinds me and helps me make a prompt decision for this week’s PSB. “Old man Joseph plods along, alone. / Past the homeless sleeping / like small lost boats, / past buildings that tilt / their old chins toward the sun, / past a wall pocked / with bullet holes.” I do be aware that a brief “blurb” does not quote that much as I do. But Johnson’s lyric-/poem-like words are so magnetic to me that I am totally under his spell. Joseph, a black old man, got his “gift from God”—a “perfect and new” baby from a Dumpster, and promised to raise that baby. “Juan is a Mexican baby. He needs to know Mexican things.” Joseph consults his neighbors about those mysteries—he learns how to make tamales, how to sing Mexican songs, and “He intends to learn Spanish for that tiny baby.” I do love the sweet, poignant story when Joseph takes 4-year-old Juan to “know great art”. Carole’s marvelous illustration makes me miss my dad and his piggyback ride. Joseph “scours the trash for cans” to buy his son a box of crayons. “Juan crayons on the wall. / Pop-pop sighs. ‘Perhaps that’s how Siqueiros began.’” I burst into laughter and deeply touched by Joseph’s great love. I hopelessly love Carole’s master creations, especially the one used for the cover, which depicts the Joseph and Juan’s “fierce, long hug” when a devil in the angel city takes Chucho’s life away. I am so jealous of Carole that she could draw pictures catching people’s eyeballs, as well as their hearts.

[Griselda Mendez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Angel City by Tony Johnston is one of the most moving tales ever told in a children’s picture book. It is a double-edged sword for teaching family diversity as readers will encounter a single black father raising a Mexican son that he finds in an LA garbage can. Determined to raise this boy, Joseph does everything he can to preserve Juan’s culture while instilling an appreciation for his own African American values. This truly is a story about the real meaning of family and about the bonds that can be made without sharing the same blood. The paintings by Caldecott honoree, Carole Byard draw the reader in with soft brush strokes that mimic the tender exchange between father and son.

[Kaitlyn Horvath · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was probably the saddest children's book I've read. I think it shows children how lucky they really. I think it's a good book to share with kids so that they can see what some kids have to go through.

[Deborah Harris]

AR Quiz No. 108197 EN Fiction
Accelerated Reader Quiz Information IL: LG - BL: 3.2 - AR Pts: 0.5
Accelerated Reader Quiz Type Information AR Quiz Types: RP

[Emily B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written multicultural book. So many incredible metaphors.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

a book to make you cry and believe and hope and question.

[Mrs Tupac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a emotional moving book :( Damn what a good book humanity these days is hard to come by.
Old man Joseph really did a good thing thank god that baby did not end up in the wrong hands,
I would not mind trying that
chiles en nogada , the little Spanish songs were a nice touch too
sana sana colita de ranasi no sanas sanaras mañana (lol)... healthy frog tail.
This book reminded me of the relationship i shared with my own grandfather everyday I wish he was still here.
Finding someone to love and care for you when others don't is really a true blessing Old man Joseph loved Juan and little Juan loved Old man Joseph.
When Chico died I cried smh poor Juan lost his best friend but Pop Pop was there for him. I loved reading this book to my boys and it's so cool this was based on a true story.