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John Rocco
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Blackout (Caldecott Honor Book) Hardcover – Picture Book, May 24, 2011

by John Rocco (Author, Illustrator)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 295 ratings
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One hot summer night in the city, all the power goes out. The TV shuts off and a boy wails, "Mommm!" His sister can no longer use the phone, Mom can't work on her computer, and Dad can't finish cooking dinner. What's a family to do? When they go up to the roof to escape the heat, they find the lights--in stars that can be seen for a change--and so many neighbors it's like a block party in the sky! On the street below, people are having just as much fun--talking, rollerblading, and eating ice cream before it melts. The boy and his family enjoy being not so busy for once. They even have time to play a board game together. When the electricity is restored, everything can go back to normal . . . but not everyone likes normal. The boy switches off the lights, and out comes the board game again.



Using a combination of panels and full bleed illustrations that move from color to black-and-white and back to color, John Rocco shows that if we are willing to put our cares aside for a while, there is party potential in a summer blackout.
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Previous page
  1. Reading age
    3 - 6 years, from customers
  2. Print length
    40 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    Preschool - Kindergarten
  5. Lexile measure
    330L
  6. Dimensions
    9.65 x 0.65 x 11.3 inches
  7. Publisher
    Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
  8. Publication date
    May 24, 2011
  9. ISBN-10
    1423121902
  10. ISBN-13
    978-1423121909
  11. See all details
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From the Publisher

Hurricane Blizzard Beep Beep Go To Sleep How to Send a Hug
Hurricane Blizzard Beep, Beep, Go to Sleep! How to Send a Hug
Customer Reviews
4.8 out of 5 stars
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4.8 out of 5 stars
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4.8 out of 5 stars
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4.6 out of 5 stars
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Price $11.59 $18.33 $15.21 $12.60
See the world through John Rocco's eyes. A boy’s favorite place is the neighborhood dock. But a hurricane is coming…and its violent winds carry with it anything that floats. As the snowflakes fall, excitement turns to worry, and a young boy transforms into a hero who puts the needs of others first. It's bedtime, but when his three rambunctious robots give every possible excuse not to go to sleep, what's a little boy to do? This heartfelt story shows readers the incredible impact writing and receiving handwritten letters can have on yourself and others.

Editorial Reviews

Review

2012 Caldecott Honor BookNew York Times Notable BookWall Street Journal Best Book of the YearPublisher's Weekly Best Book of the YearSchool Library Journal Best Book of the YearKirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year

From the Author

It is not often, in this digital age, that we get a chance to stop, to really stop and just be. Be in the moment. Be with our families. Be with our neighbors. Be one with our community. Sometimes, when the lights go out, it's a good thing. It can be magical. This book is about a family who discovers that magic during one hot summer night in the city. As a kid growing up in Rhode Island, I remember quite a few blackouts. They were usually caused by lightning or snow storms, and when the lights and television flickered out and plunged our house into darkness it was always exciting. My dad would check the fuse box, and my mom would run around lighting candles while my sister and I would look out the windows to see how far the blackout stretched. I remember one time my mom actually cooked dinner on top of our wood stove!When I was doing research for this book I interviewed a lot of people about their own experience during the huge blackout of 2003. Occurring only two years after the tragedies of 9/11, I assumed most people would have panicked, and although some did, I was surprised to learn that most people really, truly enjoyed it. Yes, they had to walk home through the oppressive heat, and yes, some didn't even make it home that night, but the people of New York City opened their doors, opened their hearts, let down their hair and celebrated. I hope you enjoy this book. John Rocco

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; Illustrated edition (May 24, 2011)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 40 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1423121902
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1423121909
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 3 - 6 years, from customers
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 330L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ Preschool - Kindergarten
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.65 x 0.65 x 11.3 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 295 ratings

About the author

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John Rocco

John Rocco

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I love books. The fact that I get to make books for a living still thrills me everyday. I write and illustrate picture books and novels for children as well as illustrate books for older readers. Many of my books have received prestigious awards including my New York Times Bestselling book, BLACKOUT which received the Caldecott Honor. I am also the illustrator for Rick Riordan's blockbuster series' Percy Jackson and the Olympians, The Kane Chronicles and Heroes of Olympus.

I didn't always make books. Before embarking on full time work as an author/illustrator I worked as an art director in the entertainment business. Movies, television, theme parks and museums were my canvas. It was great work and I enjoyed every minute of it, but...

Did I tell you I love books?

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
295 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

E. Sand.
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved this book
Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2024
Verified Purchase
The book itself was great. I especially loved the ending, after the lights come back on, and what the family now thinks is important
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joy m
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, beautiful illustrations
Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2012
Verified Purchase
We just received this book from my order a few days ago - so far we've read it every night at bedtime since. My 3 year old son loves it. The illustrations are great and the story is simple the follow. There isn't a whole lot of context here so it leaves a lot of room for discussion and observation. As a parent with a busy schedule and a busy family I could relate to the message and it's inspiring.
3 people found this helpful
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T. wilson
5.0 out of 5 stars Out of the dark with BLACKOUT!
Reviewed in the United States on January 22, 2018
Verified Purchase
Marvelous modern book (I saw the author actually read it at a local meeting) taking what could be a tragedy and turning it into an original idea for children and artists. It has verve and imagination that set it apart from a number of cute and inclusive books on the scene today. John Rocco is a very talented and skilled artist!
2 people found this helpful
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Ka
5.0 out of 5 stars One of my favorites
Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2014
Verified Purchase
I tried to get my daughter to read this when she was a year old, but she wasn't interested. Now, she is 15 months and loves this book. We talk about all the beautiful frames, and she points at the characters. I love that the protagonist is androgynous too. I can use whatever gender I like when we read through this. All in all, a really beautiful book that we'll read for a long time.
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Kelly L James
5.0 out of 5 stars Light Energy Lesson
Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2020
Verified Purchase
Used this book to add to a 2nd gradE lesson on light energy. My students loved it! So did my kids at home. Great book.
One person found this helpful
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Verdoonie
4.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful illustrations
Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2012
Verified Purchase
I ordered this for my school library. It is a Caldecott Honor Award winner for 2012. Most winners of late have been wordless books. I like this one, because it has words that are
important in our technological age. A little girl wants her family to play a board game with her, but everyone is too busy with phones, computers or house chores. There is a blackout
in the city and, because it is a hot summer night, they head to the roof, where other people are enjoying the beautiful night. The go to the street, and people are enjoying each other
and music, etc. Then the lights are restored. Everyone goes back to the way things were, except the little girl. You'll love the ending. My students really enjoyed the story and
the beautiful illustrations.
21 people found this helpful
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inferiordecorator
5.0 out of 5 stars Love it!
Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2013
Verified Purchase
I ordered this book for my class of N.Y.C. preschoolers. There are so few children's books set in an urban environment, despite the many children who live in cities across the U.S.A. For the sight of the Brooklyn Bridge alone, I give this five stars!

Addendum: I just read this book to my class and they were thoroughly engaged. The illustrations are amazing and the accompanying text is easy to bring to life.
One person found this helpful
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Jen
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book with many potential teaching points
Reviewed in the United States on December 22, 2020
Verified Purchase
A quick read that allows for deep discussion.
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Top reviews from other countries

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Caroline
5.0 out of 5 stars Book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 16, 2021
Verified Purchase
Really good read
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L. York
5.0 out of 5 stars You need this in your library!
Reviewed in Canada on March 7, 2019
Verified Purchase
Fabulous book.
My two year old even loves it and often chooses this book.
Beautiful pictures + lovely story.
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アヤ先生
5.0 out of 5 stars 大停電の夜に。
Reviewed in Japan on March 31, 2012
Verified Purchase
少年はゲームがしたい。
でもおねえちゃんもパパもママも、みんな忙しくてかまってくれない。

そんなときに起きた大停電。
真夏の街はちょっとしたパーティ状態に。
少年のワクワクする気持ちが伝わってきます。

街のあかり、懐中電灯の光、ろうそくの光、照らされたものの影の形、
すべて描き分けられています。
絵のアングルが大変斬新です。
あるページではアパートの外から窓を、あるページでは階段をよじ登る少年の後姿を、またあるページでは家族が集うテーブルを天井から。
大人にとっても目に楽しいのではないでしょうか。

ほっこりする読後感が味わえます。
英語はとても平易です。
また、絵だけでも内容は見て取れると思います。
2 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on March 31, 2018
Verified Purchase
Very satisfied.
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