I liked this book for a number of reasons, two being the point of view and the writing style of the story. The book is organized in a way that the main character is telling his grandson a story about his experience working on the street. The grandfather take his grandson back in time as they travel down the streets of Baltimore and meet all of the characters of grandfather’s past. I really enjoyed how the author includes narrative and songs in the writing of the book, which shows variation in style and engages the reader. One example of this is “Wa-a-a-ter-melons, I got wa-a-a-ter-melons….sweet, juicy, juicy, red to the rind. Come get my wa-a-a-ter-melons.” These songs are included throughout the book and really bring the story to life. I believe the main message of this book is to show the significance of song and dialogue in a time and community where working to make a living was very important. ( )

This book took you on an adventure through the grandpa telling a story. It also gives little history of the Baltimore in 1955. Men were selling produce and other things along the side of the street. It was a little confusing because I wasn't sure if the boy was seeing himself in the book or if it was his father who I later found out use to work with grandpa. Other than that I would recommend the book to anyone because it was a story about something I knew nothing about. ( )

This book is about a little boy Rodddy who points to a picture in the blue family album and asks his grandaddy to tell him a story. Grandaddy tells the story about when he was an araber. He would go to the market and buy fruits and vegetables and travel through town singing what he had to sell. This book has great colorful vibrant pictures and illustrations and it allows the reader to sing along with Grandaddy. This book is a great representation of how African American men, arabers, would go about their city selling fruits and vegetables. ( )