Gleam and Glow

by Eve Bunting

Book Overview

Inspired by real events, master storyteller Eve Bunting recounts the harrowing yet hopeful story of a family, a war--and a dazzling discovery. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0152025960
• ISBN13: 9780152025960
• Release Date: July 2003
• Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 11.3" x 9.3"
• Age Range: 4 to 7 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 2

Customer Reviews

Survivor Story

Deftly painted illustrations provide a visual link to the well-chosen words recounting the flight of a family from their home during the Bosnia war in the early 1990s. After passersby warn the family of imminent attack the mother decides that the family must strike out for a refugee camp just beyond the border. Prior to their departure, the son decides that he must set free two goldfish his sister inherited from a passing refugee. The fish are released into a pond near their house so that they can enjoy at least one more day of life. The implication is that the fish will presumably starve for lack of fish flakes or be gobbled up by predators but the change of location is worth trying if it grants them a little more time to enjoy living. The impact of the impending invasion on the lives of the two fish parallel the distressing situation the family faces which in turn creates considerable suspense for young and old readers alike. Could the family cover the distance in time to avoid the violence? How would the father, who left to participate in the resistance, be able to find them now that they were leaving home? Yes, this book explores serious subject matter but my seven year old and five year old ask me to read it time and again. The content must speak to fears that lurk in the back of their minds but rather than discussing their anxiety about possibly losing a pet or a home or a parent instead they always ask me why there is war. This book doesn't show any people engaged in violent acts, however, it shows the family's empty house all ablaze. Happily, the next few pages show the mother and children reuniting with the father. Eventually the return to the face the charred remains of their home. In contrast to this dark moment the family are surprised to find the pond teaming with goldfish. Apparently the fish are survivors just like family. I wasn't expecting a Gleam and Glow to tell so moving a story with such a satisfying conclusion.

AWSOME!!!

This Book, Gleam and Glow, by Ebe Bunting is an awsome book, the main character who tells the story is a young boy named victor, his father has to go to the underground to fight in a war. Victor, his sister Marina, and there mama have to leave soon to, so they can cross the border before they get attacked!!! One day a man comes with some fish, that he can't carry any more, mama finally agrees to take the fish from him, and Marina has already named them, Gleam, and Glow, but they agree that when they leave in three days, that they cannot take the fish with them. Before the family leaves, they slip the fish into there backyard pond, and hope they will survive. They start there journey to the border, when they get there they will be safe. Will they see there dad? Is there dad alive? Did Gleam And Glow make it? Did the house survive, and most important, did the family make it READ THIS BOOK TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENS, I would recomend it to ANYONE, my teacher read it to us, and I am in 6th grade, and I still thought is was awsome!!!!! READ READ READ!!!!!

Gleam and Glow

This book is really good. I would recommend it to all kids. It is about two girls and their mom. Their Dad is in the war. Gleam and Glow is a very good book. The title of the book is for the two fish that Marina names Gleam and Glow. I really enjoiyed this book. ...