The young boy shares his joy with the reader as he is able to play basketball while his father cleans the gymnasium. Most children love to go to their parents place of employement and this story is no different, even though his father is working through the night. This book highlights a different working class than most of my students are used to. Just as the sun is rising, they are snuggling up on a recliner, falling asleep. The father continues to work hard until 4:00 in the morning when they pack up and ride their motorcycle home. The boy and his father work hard to clean the school until the boy eventually falls asleep reading to his father in the library.

It is a story of how a young boy goes to work with his father on Friday night as a school janitor. Night Job was written by Newbery Medalist Karen Hesse and illustrated by G. Winners' copies are provided by and shipped directly to winner by Candlewick.

Opinions are mine alone and are freely given. ĭISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary copy by Candlewick Press to facilitate this review. This is an absolutely lovely book and I recommend it for libraries everywhere.Ģ winners each 1 copy graciously provided by Candlewick Press and hosted on Chat With Vera They are simply a pictorial essay of love and work shared between a father and son. Illustrated with pictures colored with the darkness and shadows of night, they are not scary or fearsome. Together (Dad doesn't denigrate his young son's ability to be helpful) they begin the organized task of making clean the building. Son delights in each moment shared from the motorbike ride to and from the school building to sweeping floors.

The story brings honor and respect to the janitorial job of Dad. What a lovely story! The text and pictures evoke a gentle lesson in loving caring, sharing, togetherness, and respect for work.ĭad takes his son to work with him on Friday evening.

Night job karen hesse