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The Dam
CCBC Review:
A haunting story, based on an actual occurrence, recounts singular events leading up to the completion of a dam in Northumberland in 1981. A young girl named Kate and her dad visit the now-abandoned town that will disappear under water once the dam is active. They enter the empty houses and buildings so Kate can play a song on her fiddle in each one. The village, now a ghost town, was once vibrant and full of music, so Kate plays the last song that will ever be heard in each place. Somber, realistic illustrations capture the intimacy, loneliness, and poignancy of Kate and her father’s acknowledgement of the village’s history and of the people who once lived there. An author’s note identifies the real father and daughter behind the story, and tells that Kate grew up to be a great folk musician and composer. ©2019 Cooperative Children’s Book CenterIllustrated by Levi Pinfold
CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 6-10
Age Range:
PreK-Early Elementary (Ages 4-7)
Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10)
Format:
Picture book
Subjects:
20th Century
Change
Historical Fiction
Music and Musicians
Publisher:
Candlewick Studio
Publish Year: 2018
Pages: 32
ISBN: 9780763695972
CCBC Location: Picture Book, Almond