Written in poetic style, this is a story of a 13 year old boy whose father left the family after losing his job. Excellently told from the perspective of the young man who struggles with the father who was warm and loving, and now has abandoned his family. He shares he sense of self esteem, his disappointment, and disbelief.

A lot of emotion is covered in this small, but mighty book. ( )

I was very excited to read this book when I found it because I enjoy reading stories told in narrative poems, and even though I wasn't completely aware of what it was about when I got it, I am not disappointed that I picked it up. The first half of The Way a Door Closes introduces and follows C.J. through life with his happy family as they start their day, have father-son outings, and take family pictures together. So it comes as a complete surprise when C.J.'s dad loses his job and walks out on the entire family, just devastating. C.J. being the oldest steps up at 13 and his emotions about it are on every page as he tries to be strong but only wants to crumble in despair. Winter Word, is my favorite poem of the entire story the last line giving me chills when his mother asks her son how she looks before going out again, angry that she's still married to his dad and pretending like she's single, he looks her dead in the eyes and say, "You look like you forgot." I'd never think someone so young would say that but it shows how fast someone can grow when times get hard. ( )

Exquisite illustrated book narrating a story on poems about the world of a 13 year old African American boy whose father had left his family when times are harsher. For the emotional content of these poems, in free verses with colloquial language, this reading could be a profound experience for middle-schoolers or even high-schoolers who could see themselves reflected on it. A Coretta Scott King award!

The Way a Door Closes is a book of poems that collectively tell the story of a young boy whose father walks out on their family when times get hard. These poems show the range of emotions the young boy feels as he watches his family struggle and copes with his hurt. Finally the boy describes his fathers return and how he knows his father is now going to stay forever.

A book of poems about family.