Grade 1-5–Where's the angels? Where's the love? This is the haunting refrain underscoring this fictional account based on a newspaper story about an old man who found a newborn in a Los Angeles Dumpster. Johnston's lyrical, free-verse narrative describes how Joseph, an African American, hears a whimper frail as life and discovers a Mexican infant. Joseph seeks help from neighbors to unlock the mysteries of baby care and to learn Mexican songs and recipes while sharing the tales and flavors of his own heritage. The bond between him and Juan deepens over time and their traditions mingle. When the child is six, they plant corn in a vacant lot and he makes friends with another boy, Chucho. Then Chucho is shot and dies. While the love Joseph wonders about is recognized and felt, so is the loss. The comfort of his affection and the beauty of nature shine through Byard's impressionistic acrylics, helping to mitigate the challenging (and unfortunately, believable) circumstances. Father and infant son are bathed in lamplight, as Joseph's tender gaze and large brown arms cradle the lighter-skinned baby. The dawn glows with swirling peach strokes and soothing lavenders amid homelessness and bullet-marked walls. Those seeking stories depicting nontraditional families or realistic tales of urban life will find a poignant portrait within these pages.–Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library
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Reading level: Ages 4-8

Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Philomel (June 8, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0399234055
ISBN-13: 978-0399234057
Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.1 x 0.4 inches
Shipping Weight: 12 ounces