Noche de Tormenta = Stormy Night

Gr 4-6-Pen-and-ink artwork, ranging from simple line drawings to more complex landscapes, vie with an intriguing text which, although it is kept to a minimum, packs a philosophical punch. The first five pages feature illustrations unadorned by words. A girl is shown brushing her teeth, kissing her parents good night, and getting into bed, all within the context of a dark and stormy night. She informs readers immediately that she cannot fall asleep due to the thousands of questions that crowd into her head. The next 80 to 90 pages feature a plethora of existential inquiries such as ""Where does infinity end? Is there life on other planets? Where did we come from?"" The vocabulary is simple, but the nature of the questions raised makes this book more suitable for older readers. Death, identity, God, the nature of evil, extraterrestrials, and fantasy versus reality are all pondered by the girl as the storm rages outside her window. Although no answers are attempted, the book finishes on a positive note, as the protagonist ends her musings by going back downstairs for a snack. Reassuring normalcy is established, as always, in the kitchen. A sophisticated and thought-provoking selection.