Far Apart, Close in Heart: Being a Family When a Loved One Is Incarcerated
Far Apart, Close in Heart: Being a Family When a Loved One Is Incarcerated
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Albert Whitman
Just the Series: AV2 Fiction Readalong 2019   

Series and Publisher: AV2 Fiction Readalong 2019   

Annotation: Millions of children worldwide have a parent in jail or prison.
 
Reviews: 4
Catalog Number: #6726979
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Albert Whitman
Copyright Date: 2022
Edition Date: 2022 Release Date: 04/01/22
Illustrator: Kastelic, Maja,
Pages: 1 volume (unpaged)
ISBN: 0-8075-1289-3
ISBN 13: 978-0-8075-1289-0
Dewey: E
LCCN: 2016042053
Dimensions: 24 cm.
Language: English
Reviews:
Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews (Wed Jul 06 00:00:00 CDT 2022)

The subtitle of this picture book says it all.A racially and ethnically diverse sampling of children exemplify the grief and discomfort that come with losing a parent to incarceration. Lacey's scared with one of her moms in jail; Rashid's mom is in jail for the second time; both Juana's mami and her papi are in prison, so she and her siblings are spread out among foster homes. Yen has hard questions only her mother can answer, so she mails them to her. Rafael must fend off intrusive questions from the other kids. In Birtha's direct, sympathetic text and Kastelic's muted pencil-and-watercolor illustrations, these children and more evince loneliness, anger, shame, and fear. Birtha gives them sympathetic adults, such as a coach who won't let Jermaine's teammates mock him and the teacher who listens to Atian, who's been acting out. Tips on talking to children with incarcerated parents and further resources are included in the backmatter; these, combined with the direct, role-modeling text, make this book as valuable for adult readers as it is for children. The purposeful inclusion of a white child and an Asian-American child helps to dispel stereotypes, while the inclusion of African-American and Latino children reflects U.S. prison demographics. Class disparities are only hinted at; the children are not obviously well-to-do but all seem to inhabit reasonably comfortable settings. With more than 2.7 million American children experiencing the incarceration of a parent, this book is a necessary one. (Picture book. 4-8)

ALA Booklist (Wed Jul 06 00:00:00 CDT 2022)

Having a parent in prison is a complicated matter, but Birtha's book re bibliotherapeutic than literary oughtfully tackles this topic. It clearly and gently explains to the reader, presumably a child with one or more incarcerated parents, a range of possible scenarios about how it feels. Drawing on her own experience, Birtha gilds the text with tenderness and affirmation so that all responses are rendered valid. Rashid is angry with is mother for breaking the law (and her promise not to). Juana misses her siblings, scattered among different families when both parents are arrested. Yen has so many questions and no way to ask. In addition to the children's feelings, we learn about the ways adults treat children with incarcerated parents: some with judgment, and others with kindness and friendship. The book ends with sage advice: talk to a trusted adult. Don't bottle anything up inside. Back matter includes strategies for adults about how to talk to children. Jacqueline Woodson's Visiting Day (2002) makes a nice fictional pairing for this book.

Horn Book (Wed Jul 06 00:00:00 CDT 2022)

Lots of children have a parent behind bars.

Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

The subtitle of this picture book says it all.A racially and ethnically diverse sampling of children exemplify the grief and discomfort that come with losing a parent to incarceration. Lacey's scared with one of her moms in jail; Rashid's mom is in jail for the second time; both Juana's mami and her papi are in prison, so she and her siblings are spread out among foster homes. Yen has hard questions only her mother can answer, so she mails them to her. Rafael must fend off intrusive questions from the other kids. In Birtha's direct, sympathetic text and Kastelic's muted pencil-and-watercolor illustrations, these children and more evince loneliness, anger, shame, and fear. Birtha gives them sympathetic adults, such as a coach who won't let Jermaine's teammates mock him and the teacher who listens to Atian, who's been acting out. Tips on talking to children with incarcerated parents and further resources are included in the backmatter; these, combined with the direct, role-modeling text, make this book as valuable for adult readers as it is for children. The purposeful inclusion of a white child and an Asian-American child helps to dispel stereotypes, while the inclusion of African-American and Latino children reflects U.S. prison demographics. Class disparities are only hinted at; the children are not obviously well-to-do but all seem to inhabit reasonably comfortable settings. With more than 2.7 million American children experiencing the incarceration of a parent, this book is a necessary one. (Picture book. 4-8)

Reviewing Agencies: - Find Other Reviewed Titles
Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews (Wed Jul 06 00:00:00 CDT 2022)
ALA Booklist (Wed Jul 06 00:00:00 CDT 2022)
Horn Book (Wed Jul 06 00:00:00 CDT 2022)
Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)
Word Count: 782
Reading Level: 3.3
Interest Level: K-3
Accelerated Reader: reading level: 3.3 / points: 0.5 / quiz: 189758 / grade: Lower Grades

Kirkus Reviews Best Books of 2017 - Best Picture Books to Give Readers Strength

STARRED REVIEW! "This book is a necessary one."Kirkus Reviews starred review

STARRED REVIEW! "A highly recommended title that serves as an excellent entry to discuss incarceration in an age-appropriate way."School Library Journal starred review

Millions of children worldwide have a parent in jail or prison.

Kids can have all kinds of feelings and questions when a parent is incarcerated. Rafael is embarrassed. Rashid is angry. Yen wonders if it's her fault. This sensitive story illustrates a range of situations children may face with moms or dads behind bars, while reassuring them they are not alone.


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