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Title: Silent Movie by Avi, C. B. Mordan ISBN: 0-689-84145-0 Publisher: Atheneum/Anne Schwartz Books Pub. Date: 01 March, 2003 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $16.95

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Average Customer Rating: 4.5 (2 reviews)

Rating: 5
Summary: A True Picture Book
Comment: Avi tells a story depicting immigration using a silent movie as his backdrop. The story is told mostly though the use of pictures. Text is used sparingly to guide the reader through the story, as done in silent movies. Storyboarding and bleeding techniques are used. Small drawings are used to depict time and sequence, while larger, full page drawings are used to convey the character's deeper feelings. Silent Movie is illustrated by C.B. Mordan.
The beauty of this picture book is that the reader can understand the story by looking primarily at the pictures. The front cover depicts a stage, while the back cover has the credits (author, illustrator, and characters). Mordan captures the feelings of the characters in each one of his illustrations, while Avi's text compliments the drawings. The illustrations are done in black and while to convey the feeling of a silent move. Also, many pictures appear to have a spotlight, furthering the silent movie theme. Teachers can use Silent Movie with their students in learning about immigration and the history of films.
An author's note and illustrator's note can be found at the back of the book. Both describe the style used in Silent Movie, in terms of recreating a melodramatic yet simple story, and provide a brief history about silent films. Considering Silent Movie was published in 2003, this may be a contender for the 2004 Caldecott Award and other book awards.

Rating: 4
Summary: Silent Movie sounds interesting
Comment: This book is interesting. It's not stellar or outstanding, but it is very interesting. I love the idea of mixing silent movies with picture books and coming up with a graphically moving picture. Avi is the only children's author that could have made this book work. The black and white etchings beautifully render the time and feeling of mixing early American film with immigrant culture. The story is short and very superficial, but weren't all the silent movies? This is a fun escape for Avi and one I am sure kids will enjoy.