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Starred Review All of a Sudden and Forever

Help and Healing after the Oklahoma City Bombing

  • Interest Level: Grade 2 - Grade 5
  • Reading Level: Grade 4

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
Available at all major wholesalers and distributors. Save 25% off list price on hardcovers and ebooks when you buy direct! Digital purchases will be accessed on Lerner Digital Bookshelf. An account will be created for you after purchase.
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

Awards

  • Prairie Bloom Award Nominee, Nominated, 2022
  • Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) Choices, Winner, 2021
  • Notable Award Orbis Pictus Recommended Book, Commended, 2021
  • Notable Award Children's Book Committee at Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year, Winner, 2021
  • Writer's League of Texas Book Award Finalist, Short-listed, 2020
  • Notable Award Kirkus Best Children's Books, Winner, 2020
  • Notable Award School Library Journal Best Book of 2020, Winner, 2020

Reviews

The Horn Book Magazine

Reviewed on 1 March 2020

“[A] sensitive and sober examination of the Oklahoma City bombing.”—The Horn Book Magazine

Booklist

Reviewed on 1 January 2020

“This ultimately triumphant work of nonfiction reverently pays tribute to the memory of those whose lives were forever changed by this tragedy.”—Booklist

Starred Review School Library Journal

Reviewed on 1 January 2020

“[A] sensitively written and thoughtfully illustrated resource.”—starred, School Library Journal

Starred Review Kirkus Reviews

Reviewed on 21 October 2019

“An affecting story of loss . . .”—starred, Kirkus Reviews