The House on Dirty-Third Street
Jo S. Kittinger, Author
Thomas Gonzalez, Illustrator
Peachtree Publishers, Fiction, 2012
2013 Christopher Award and the Social Justice Literature Award
Suitable for Ages: 5-8
Themes: Moving into an older house, Repair and reconstruction, Neighbors, Hope
Opening: Mom said starting over would be an adventure, so I imagined a tropical island with palm trees and buried treasure. Not this. All the houses on Thirty-third Street were old and run down, but the one with the For Sale sign was the worst. I’d call the whole place “Dirty-third Street.”
Synopsis: A mother and daughter work to turn a hopeless, rundown, and dirty old house into a loving family home with hard work, faith, hope and the support of their new friends and neighbors.
Why I like this book: This is a moving story by Jo S. Kittinger that taps into the deep disappointment a girl feels when she has to move into a house that is falling a part. It is a timely story for children about moving, and starting over after the loss of a home due to divorce, job loss or weather events like floods, fires, tornadoes and hurricanes. It also is a story about hope, faith and community. Thomas Gonzalez captures the girl’s disappointment on the book cover as she peers through a window into the house. His beginning illustrations are drab and somber sketches with hints of pale pastel blue against the pen and ink sketches. The girl’s expressions are priceless. However, as neighbors and church members lend a hand to fix the house, color subtly appears in the illustrations. The House on Dirty-Third Street is an excellent collaboration between author and illustrator. Visit Jo Kittinger at her website. It is also a great book to share with kids during World Habitat Week.
Resources: The United Nations has declared the first Monday of October World Habitat Day , which will be celebrated Oct. 7. It is a time to recognize the basic need for adequate housing worldwide. Habitat for Humanity will sponsor activities Oct. 6-12, 2013. This is a wonderful opportunity for families to understand, sign up and participate in building and renovating homes in their local community. Lesson plans and activities can be found at Habitat Learns. Former President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn will focus their work projects in California, Colorado,, New York and New Jersey. The Carters have participated for 30 years.
Every Friday, authors and KidLit bloggers post a favorite picture book. To see a complete listing of all the Perfect Picture Books with resources, please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Books.
Children's Books Heal 
Pat, Sounds like a great book. I was just talking to someone about urban renewal areas. This might be a good book to share in those situations too.
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Thanks Stacy! This book is all about urban renewal and would be great for kids to understand why getting involved in some small way is important.
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I’m not usually into picture books, but this is gorgeous! And the idea has captured my imagination already. I love how the illustrator slowly works in color. I imagine it coordinates with a change of attitude about the new home. Great pic, Pat!
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Isn’t the cover stunning — it speaks a thousand words. Yes, the illustrations change as the story progresses. I really loved this book! So much to teach kids.
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And again, you’ve mined a treasure to share with the world. WoW … I’m ordering this one TODAY!! Thank you, Pat, for your thoughtful selections that always seem to address the real needs of today’s real kids.
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Thank you Barbara. It is a treasure and a great classroom book. It was perfect to tie into the upcoming World Habitat Day and Habitat for Humanity. That’s what my blog is about healing and social justice issues, with a sprinkle of fun books too.
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This looks like such a timely, needed book. I can’t tell you how many times I moved in my life into Victorian houses (or older) that needed everything doing. In fact, doing up old houses is a craze in Britain. To some though, I can imagine how this might seem traumatic!
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With so many children observing a lot of change with weather patterns and the need for urban renewal, this book addressed those needs. Many Americans enjoy restoring old home in certain districts. It is an important topic.
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You had me at the title. I’m not familiar with author or artist. Thanks for introducing us.
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I know, isn’t the title great! And, the book cover says it all. Am glad you liked the selection!
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Nice review! Having been up to my ears in construction before, I know what it’s like to live with the chaos and the appreciation one feels of each completed step.
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Thank you for stopping. I’m delighted you liked my selection. You have a wordpress blog, and I tried to subscribe so it appears in my reader, but I couldn’t figure out how. Like your blog.
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This book sounds really special. So much thoughtfulness goes into your book picks, Patricia!
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It is a special book and goes well with World Habitat Day! I do search for the perfect gems that focus on my theme.
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Nothing like working in community to bind folks together, and make one appreciate what he/she has accomplished. Good one, Patricia!
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Jarm, you are so right. Working in the community on a project does create special bonds.
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This would be a great book to use with my community unit.
Thank you!
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Glad you like the selection. It is a great classroom book about how community gets involved.
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This comes across as a heart-felt selection, Pat. Bringing hope to those who need it is always a good thing. I’ve been a Habitat volunteer and I know, everyone can help (I have NO building talent, so I carried cinder blocks!)
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It is a heart-felt story with beautiful illustrations. I was very impressed. That’s fantastic Wendy that you area Habitat volunteer.
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Tough topic! Sounds like it’s done well. Cooperation and caring – always important themes.
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It is a tough subject, but a really moving story. As the community come to support the family, the tone of book changes and the illustrations change.
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Wow, this is a topic I honestly never thought I’d see in a picture book cover. I just didn’t even think of it. I’m glad Jo Kittinger did. This looks like a good one.
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The cover is powerful and there is no guessing how the girl feels about her new house. I agree, this is a relevant topic to feature in a book. And it is related to urban renewal.
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Well, this book sounds like a good book. And moving into a run-down, old house CAN be an adventure… Great review!
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Thank you Erik. There is a lot of meaning in this story!
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This sounds like a wonderful book! I love the idea of the illustrator introducing color as people help fix up the house. Moving, and moving into a run-down house, can be difficult – it sounds like this story has many layers of meaning. Thanks for sharing it, and the information about World Habitat Day!
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It is an excellent idea for a book and relevant for kids today. The illustrations are spectacular.
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I liked this one a lot, really interesting illustration technique and an important story.
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I’m glad you enjoyed the story and illustrations. I know how much you appreciate excellent art. The cover says it all.
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World Habitat Day. How about that. I’ll have to think about that this week. That girl’s expression on the cover says a lot. This looks like an excellent book. I’ll have to check it out. Thanks!
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Good theme for you to use with kids. It will surely generate discussion. Hope you like the book. It’s very good!
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Yes, indeed! We’ve got it on the library list.
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This is a great book. The cover alone is captivating. Great message and thanks for sharing, Pat.
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So happy you enjoyed my selection Diane. Yes, the cover speaks volumes.
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This sounds very moving, Pat. I love the cover. The opening lines really drew me in. I’ll check to see if my library has this one! Thanks!
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It is a very moving book and great to use in the class room. Very relevant to what’s going on in communities.
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This sounds like a lovely and much-needed book, Pat. Thanks so much for sharing it and adding it to our list! Adding it to my gigantic must-read list 🙂
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Yes, it is a good book to our list. Great book to use in the classroom.
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