PICTURE BOOKS
Noble, Trinka Hakes

Rettie and the Ragamuffin Parade: A Thanksgiving Story

(4) K-3 Illustrated by David C. Gardner. This wordy story offers an ultimately hopeful picture of immigrant children in WWI-era New York City during the influenza outbreak. With a sick mother, soldier father, housework, and younger siblings to care for, young tenement girl Rettie's only opportunity for extra pennies is at the annual "Ragamuffin Parade" on Thanksgiving. Painterly illustrations offer hazy depictions of place, time, and living situation; an author's note offers historical context.

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