“My Fourth of July” by Jerry Spinelli, illustrated by Larry Day
Holiday House, New York, 2019, 40 pages, Grades 1-3
The Fourth of July is a national celebration with family picnics and community fireworks in the evening. It is an unmistakably noisy day as well. Bands parade through city streets, patriotic speeches are given and many people shoot off fireworks. Jerry Spinelli writes about this famous day and the many events occurring on the holiday. It is an uplifting story by a master storyteller. The name of this fine book is “My Fourth of July.”
A young boy wakes up on July 4th and wonders if he has missed the morning parade. Fortunately, it begins when he looks out the window. Quickly putting on some clothes, he joins the jubilation of singing, banging drums, and greeting bystanders. He leaves the parade and hurries home. His mother is baking a secret pie. It is a game his mother plays with him, to keep him guessing about dessert and building up his excitement.
The family packs hot dogs, chips, drinks, pickles and relishes. They are ready to go. The child is in charge of getting the family a table in the park and he finds one unoccupied. He quickly claims it for his family. His parents and pet dog follow momentarily.
Suddenly, an old locomotive steams through the center of the city and the children are awestruck as it drives past flag festooned platforms. There are also a variety of games in the park for children to play. The young boy and his friend Harry run in the three-legged sack race. They come in last, but both fall down laughing from their effort. They go to the bandshell and hear people singing for the crowd. The boy can’t believe his neighbor Sally can sing this beautifully.
As the day continues, the family members eat hot dogs, chips, chocolate-dipped strawberries, and top it off with his mom’s secret pie, a wonderfully baked cherry crumb pie.
As the night begins to set in, all the people start walking to the baseball field because the fireworks display is about to commence. Holding his dog, the child looks up at the dark sky waiting for the fireworks to start. Suddenly, a pinwheel explodes in the sky. What happens next?
What does the boy learn about the Fourth of July? Why can a national holiday bring so many people together for such a joyful celebration?
Does your family have any special Fourth of July celebrations? Why do many people like to eat corn on the cob on July 4th? Why are the fireworks always special? To find the answers to these and other questions, go to the library and check out this exuberant account of the nation’s birthday, “My Fourth of July” by Jerry Spinelli.
This enjoyable account of the celebrations of the Fourth of July will bring back pleasant memories for many people. In the story, people help each other and join together in the holiday festivities.
This is a good book to read with younger members of your family as they will be drawn to the characters in the text and the striking illustrations. If you want to prepare for a joyful holiday, this is the book for you. I really liked the book and think you will as well.
