Meteor!

by Patricia Polacco

"When a meteor crashes into their Michigan farmyard one summer, Grandma and Grandpa Gaw find their live dramatically changed... Polacco's full-color pictures are completely in tandem with the telling. Her energetic angular shapes throb with vitality, and she uses compelling page composition to tie story and art together".--Booklist. Full-color illustrations.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Historical Fiction, Space, Fiction, Family, Realistic Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1987

About the author

Patricia Polacco is a New York Times bestselling author and illustrator with around seventy beloved and award-winning books to her credit, including The Keeping Quilt, Pink and Say, The Blessing Cup, Chicken Sunday, and Thank You, Mr. Falker. She resides in Michigan.

Reviews

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is Patricia Polacco’s very first book for children, published in 1987, and, thankfully, she’s still writing children’s picture books. I noticed that this was her first book only when I read the back inside cover author’s bio area.

She writes this as straight non-fiction but I kind of wonder if some liberties were taken, so I’ve shelved this as both non-fiction and fiction.

It’s the story of a meteor that fell into her grandparents’ yard while she was visiting them, and the effect the meteor had on her family and their neighbors.

I loved the illustrations. My favorite one was probably the one on the title page; it’s beautiful.

The story is okay, fairly interesting, and at times funny. My favorite part was the two pages that show the residents of their area on the telephone with each other, all informing each other about the falling meteorite. It’s a la “the telephone game” where each telling gets less accurate, and in this case more fantastic as the phone conversations progress. I also like the way she took advantage of the term meteor in the story.

I was touched by the final resting place of the famous meteorite.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Prolific children's artist and author Patricia Polacco, whose fifty-fifth picture-book is due for release this coming April, made her debut with Meteor!, which, like so many of her subsequent books, is based upon a tale from her own childhood. The story of a meteorite that lands near her Gramma and Grampa Gaw's Michigan farmhouse, creating a hubbub the likes of which Union City has never seen, it chronicles the growing excitement - the rumors flying, the impromptu carnival breaking out at the Gaw farm, with bands playing, a circus performing, and friends meeting for the first time in months - and sense of magic created by this celestial object falling to earth.

I was really quite charmed by this first picture-book from Polacco, particularly as I could pick out any number of themes - the use of a true story from her family's history, the chaotic feeling of fun and community - that would go on to become hallmarks of her work. The artwork has that trademark sense of vitality and motion - I'm always impressed by how well the illustrations work in Polacco's books, even though I don't find them, judged separately from the story, that appealing - and the coterie of animals companions, which I have come to expect, makes an appearance (their first one) here. All in all, an engaging picture-book, one I would recommend particularly to young sky-watchers, and to fans of the author/artist.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating account of a meteor hit here in Michigan! My mom sent us this book after we watched the meteor shower with them in August of 2018. What a fun surprise!

Set in Michigan.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

We love Patricia Polacco's stories and read all of the ones we can find at our local library. Her storytelling is magic and her illustrations are very recognizable and often very expressive. We've been reading her books for almost two years now and we are always on the hunt for one that we haven't read yet.

This story tells about a meteor that lands in her family's yard one night and the chaotic (literal) circus of people who come to see it.

The story is labeled as fiction, but it sounds like there's a nugget of truth to the tale and it is certainly interesting to learn more about her community and family during her youth. We enjoyed reading this story together and we will certainly look for another one of her books at the library soon.

[Bonnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

My school is preparing for a visit from the author, and students are requested to be familiar with this (and other of her) books. Interestingly, this book is not found in any of my district's 11 school libraries. Perhaps it simply missed the curriculum tie-in that has compelled the purchase of many of her other books. The story is another example of her using her own life experiences as material to share, and it is one tHat is relatively easy to share with younger students who may not have the stamina or life experiences to appreciate her longer books. The pages that show how news travels around town are reminiscent of the Norman Rockwell painting of the same topic.

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

Small town experiences the excitement of a meteor that has landed on a local farm. Illustrations have great detail - there is much to look at. Small note regarding consistency: page 1 explains that the story that follows describes events that occurred during a summer visit with grandparents. Later in story, narrator mentions that the school lets out early. While summer school/year round schooling is not unheard of, not common (at least in my neck of woods).

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Patricia Polacco! Her stories are told with warmth and heart. Meteor! is her first book, and is the story of a meteorite falling into Patricia's grandparents' yard, and the reaction the small town had to this incredible circumstance. I loved the phone chain describing the occurrence - getting crazier and more fanciful with each retelling. A great story!

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on historical events, Meteor! recounts the events that took place in Union City, Michigan when a meteor fell on the Gaw Family Farm. Unbelieving at first, the townsfolk soon came to gawk, stare, and touch such a unlikely piece of fallen sky. Anyone who touched it, claimed some 'miracle' happening.

Told in true Polacco fashion, this picture book is full of gaffawing and homeyness. An good introductory picture book for a space unit.

[Paige Valensky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story would be an excellent engagement activity for a science lesson involving meteors. This picture book is a true story from a West Michigan author and she mentions the Ionia fair and universities that are in Michigan that children would know. Although there isn't too much scientific information, it would be a great introduction.

[Papaphilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great little book for the kids. I just loved how a meteor changed an entire town. It reminds me of sleepy times in small towns. The story builds and along with it, the illustrations. This is a fun book and is a celebration of a time past. The pictures are fun and full of color. This will become a great bedtime story for the young.

[Janette Wilcken · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Grandma, DeFonda Collier, introduced me to this author with this book. I was an adult with my own baby and Grandma read it to me like I was still a child. Not only is this book fun to read and well written, I love it because of that day Grandma read it to me.

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun story written from a real event in the life of the author's grandmother. Great addition to space study. NOTE: a meteor is a shooting star that burns up before it reaches Earth, it becomes a meteorite when it crashes into Earth.

[Linda Lipko · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the beginning, first work of Polacco, and her artistry and magic shines through. A story of a meteor that suddenly, loudly falls from the sky, right smack dad in her grand parents back yard.

How I loved this tale of a small town occurrence rendered into a big deal of an event.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those rare incredibly fabulous kid's stories. Beautiful illustrations, great fun story. A must own for anyone with elementary age kids or grandkids.

[Christian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book takes place in Michigan!

[Leia-Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like how the meteor lands in the person's backyard.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Published:
Age Level: 6-10

Another real-life story from Patricia Polacco.

[Powers Family · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love how Patrica Polacco draws stories from her own life. This is a fun story and her first children's book!

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

a family story about a meteor and how is appearence changed and exicted about a small town. it shows personal narratives, and peoples ability to exadurate

[Diana Pettis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book about family as the central theme. Guided Reading not rated. 870 Lexile. 4.1 grade level equivalent.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of a meteorite that landed in a family's front yard. It's very well told. Full of rich, descriptive language and colorful dialogue, ths book is a crowd pleaser.

[Ben Campbell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book to read, but I wish they would have developed the characters a little more.

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I say give it a try and try to admire this interesting book.

[Nicole Otting · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this book at a library sale and had never heard of it before. Really loved the illustrations in this book.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book because of the bright illustrations but I thought it would be hard to believe for readers. It is not very realistic because it is about a meteor that lands in a town and rumors start to spread about the damage done. The people flock to the yard to see it and end up planning a huge carnival and big festivities surrounding the falling of the star. People in the town claim all sorts of luck after they have seen and touched the meteor. This seems like it would probably not happen in real life or it is just something we would hear about. However, I think it is a good book so students can work on using their imaginations. I would recommend this book to first, second, or third graders because I think they would really like the plot of the book and the bright and full illustrations.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Polacco favorite of mine! A story of excitement and wonder. The illustrations are so detailed I can’t ever seem to see everything on each page. I love her style of writing and I’m impressed that this was her first book, though I’ve never heard of it before. I loved the picture of the family seeing the meteor for the first time, their faces aglow. The part about the news traveling fast and the ways everyone felt special (as well as the follow up about their special powers working) were the highlights of the book for me. The language is vivid and fancy. A read-aloud I can’t wait to share in the classroom.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picked up an autographed copy of this early Polacco book at used bookstore today because I had never read it, and I'm doing a Polacco unit with a group of children. The illustrations in it are fantastic! Some of her best ever. The story is fine, but her narrative skills have certainly improved a lot since the 1970s. I won't be sharing this one aloud with a group, but will definitely share it with my own kids.

[Tony Pope · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Meteor" was my first introduction to the works of Patricia Polacco! It was on the first Georgia Children's Picture Book Award Nominee list I became aware of taking one of my library media classes back around 1989. The story (and the author's works) have stuck with me through the years and left her to be in my top favorite authors of all time...if not THE TOP. Reading "Meteor" again did not disappoint.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Meteor Madness struck the quiet little neighborhood of Mudsock Meadow, what were folks to make of it?

Reactions varied wildly. Here's one of my favorite quotes:

This is more excitin' than when Bertie Felspaw got her elbow caught in the revolving door
at the library over Coldwater way.

All the way through to a very satisfying ending, this FIVE STAR book is a winner. Both story and pictures by Patricia Polacco. And this was her very first book.

[Stephanie Littig · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun book to read, because it really happened to Patricia's family. It threw the town into a whirlwind and made everything think it gave them special powers by touching it, which is probably untrue but fun to read the tales they told about touching the meteor. It is there still, but as a headstone for grandpa whose farm it landed on. Now, that is a quite a neat thing.