Arthur I. Gates (1890–1972)

Smoky the Crow was designed for use in Grade 2, as a supplemental reader after the completion of the Grade 2 primer. As such, the vocabulary is intentionally limited. The author, however, has used her allotment of words with grace and imagination. The story flows and the characters speak colloquially. Best of all, the story itself is delightful. Two children, Peter and Carol, are best friends who live on adjacent farms. They are imaginative (creating a rudimentary semaphore "arm talk" to communicate across the fields) and adventurous. When they rescue a baby crow who had fallen out of his nest, their life gets even more interesting. Smoky has lots of character and he's often quite funny. I'm looking forward to reading this book with my second-grade grandson.… (mais)