All of a Sudden and Forever
Help and Healing after the Oklahoma City Bombing
A profoundly moving nonfiction picture book about tragedy, hope, and healing from award-winning author Chris Barton.
Sometimes bad things happen, and you have to tell everyone. Sometimes terrible things happen, and everybody knows. On April 19, 1995, something terrible happened in Oklahoma City: a bomb exploded, and people were hurt and killed. But that was not the end of the story.
Those who survived—and those who were forever changed—shared their stories and began to heal. Near the site of the bomb blast, an American elm tree began to heal as well. People took care of the tree just as they took care of each other. The tree and its seedlings now offer solace to people around the world grappling with tragedy and loss.
Released to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing, this book commemorates what was lost and offers hope for the future.
“[A] sensitively written and thoughtfully illustrated resource.”—starred, School Library Journal
“An affecting story of loss . . .”—starred, Kirkus Reviews
| Format | Your Price | Add |
|---|---|---|
|
978-1-5415-2669-3
|
$14.99 | |
|
978-1-5415-7191-4
|
$24.99 |
| Interest Level | Grade 2 - Grade 5 |
|---|---|
| Reading Level | Grade 4 |
| Genre | Picture Books, Social Studies |
| Category | 5 Kinds of Nonfiction, 5KN: Narrative Nonfiction, SEL: B Self-Management, SEL: C Social Awareness, SEL: E Responsible Decision-Making, Social Emotional Learning |
| Copyright | 2020 |
| Publisher | Lerner Publishing Group |
| Imprint | Carolrhoda Books ® |
| Language | English |
| Number of Pages | 40 |
| Publication Date | 2020-02-04 |
| Text Type | Narrative Nonfiction |
|---|---|
| BISACS | JNF053210, JNF053030, JNF025210 |
| Dewey | 363.325/140976638 |
| Graphics | Full-color illustrations |
| Dimensions | 9.25 x 11 |
| Lexile | 800 |
| Guided Reading Level | S |
| ATOS Reading Level | 4.6 |
| Accelerated Reader® Points | 0.5 |
| Features | Author/Illustrator biography, Author/Illustrator note, Awards, Bibliography/further reading, Original artwork, Reviewed, and Starred Reviews |
Author: Chris Barton
Chris Barton is the author of acclaimed nonfiction picture books including Dazzle Ships, Whoosh!, and What Do You Do with a Voice Like That?. His books have won several awards including a Sibert Honor for The Day-Glo Brothers and an Orbis Pictus Recommended for All of a Sudden and Forever. Chris lives in Austin, Texas, with his family.
Illustrator: Nicole Xu
Nicole Xu is an artist who was born in Shanghai, grew up in Vancouver, Canada, and is now based in Portland, Oregon. She graduated from Rhode Island School of Design with a BFA in illustration and has worked with numerous magazine and publishing clients. Her work often explores themes of loss, healing, and empathy. Her debut picture book, All of A Sudden and Forever, Help and Healing after the Oklahoma City Bombing, written by Chris Barton, received two starred reviews and was an Orbis Pictus Recommended Book.
Awards
- Prairie Bloom Award Nominee
- Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) Choices
- Orbis Pictus Recommended Book
- Children's Book Committee at Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year
- Writer's League of Texas Book Award Finalist
- Kirkus Best Children's Books
- School Library Journal Best Book of 2020
Reviews
The Horn Book Magazine
“[A] sensitive and sober examination of the Oklahoma City bombing.”—The Horn Book Magazine
Booklist
“This ultimately triumphant work of nonfiction reverently pays tribute to the memory of those whose lives were forever changed by this tragedy.”—Booklist
School Library Journal
“[A] sensitively written and thoughtfully illustrated resource.”—starred, School Library Journal
Kirkus Reviews
“An affecting story of loss . . .”—starred, Kirkus Reviews