Peppe the Lamplighter

Book: Peppe the Lamplighter
Author: Elisa Bartone

Illustrator: Ted Lewin
Genre: Historical Fiction
Major Awards: Caldecott Honor
Age Group: 1st - 5th 
Summary:

Peppe the Lamplighter is set in Little Italy during a time where there was no electricity. He is responsible for taking care of his family because his father was sick and his mother was dead. Peppe does all he can, finding jobs all over the street but he had no luck each time. One day, Domenico, the lamplighter, offered him a job of lighting lamps and replace him when he leaves. Peppe was excitedly agrees and rushes home to tell his family about his new job. His family was happy for him, except for his father who was not pleased. The father asks if they came to America just for his son to be lighting lamps on the streets. After his father leaves, his siblings try to encourage him and Peppe starts his new job lighting lamps every night. This went on for a while until one day his father's discouraging words got to him. One night, Peppe did not light the lamps on the streets and his sister Assunta didn't come home because it was so dark. His father tells Peppe to light the lamps so that his sister would come home, realizing that there is importance in being a lamplighter. Peppe goes to light the lamps and brings Assunta home. When they get home, they are surrounded by their family and his father tells him that he is proud of him. From that day forward, Peppe lit every streetlamp like it had always been. 

Evaluation & Comments: I would definitely use this book in my classroom! It would teach students about the importance of all jobs, even if they are small jobs like lamplighters. All the jobs have the same quality and that is people have to do it to the best of their ability. Even though some jobs pay more than others, it isn't as important as doing what you really enjoy. I think that is a really important lesson for students to learn, and this book is a good resource to use because they are immigrants from Italy looking for a better life in America. 

For activities, I would have the students imagine what it would be like without electricity, what they would do, and write about the advantages and disadvantages to it. Another could be to act out the story and change it into a play. Maybe the students can include their own dialogue to make it interesting.