One of my favorite books by Van Allsburg; like many others have said, this is a great choice to teach and practice inferencing, but it's also a hauntingly beautiful (and slightly spooky) tale to share with readers of all ages. ( )

The Stranger is indeed a strange book. When farmer Bailey is driving along, he hears a thump and realizes he hit someone. Releived the man is not dead, he brings him home to recover. The man is strange in that he does not talk and is dressed all in leather. The strange man finds real life captivating, and every day events are a mystery to him.

A doctor is called and diagnosis memory loss which he thinks should return in a few days. The Bailey family enjoy welcoming the stranger into their home and watching his facial expressions of things unknown to him. Soon he helps with everyday chores of the farm and is a great asset to farmer Bailey.

The farmer notices that even though it is fall, when the stranger arrives, the area becomes spring like and all the trees do not progress into winter, rather they become summer like. The stranger leaves the family, but returns every fall.

This is a mysterious book. I took it at face value and didn't try to find the solution to the mystery. Rather, I was captivated, as always, by the lush illustrations of the author.

3.5 stars ( )

Discusses the network of groups and individuals throughout Ohio and the New England states who aided slaves escaping from their captivity during the nineteenth century.

When farmer Bailey accidentally hits a man with his car, he brings that man to his home to recover. Soon we discover that this man seems to have a unique connection to the weather ... could he be King Winter? Or Jack Frost? The haunting illustrations and mysterious text will have readers gathering evidence to prove the identity of 'The Stranger'!

One late summer day, Farmer Bailey has an accident and hits a man with his truck. He takes the strangely-dressed man home with him and calls the doctor. The man has lost his memory and stays with the Bailey family to recuperate. The Bailey family enjoys having the man there, but as the days pass and it stays summer-warm, Farmer Bailey begins to wonder about the strange weather.

Young readers are sure to find this exploration between reality and fantasy intriguing. The colorful pictures and the accompanying text offer a different perspective on weather and young readers can share their ideas about the identity of the stranger. It’s a story that is certain to be read and talked about again and again; repeated readings provide children with the opportunity to search for clues that might help reveal the identity of The Stranger.

Highly recommended. ( )