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About My Night In The Planetarium
Product Description From the author/illustrator of the bestseller A is for Activist comes My Night in the Planetarium, a high-adventure, true story from his childhood in Indonesia. The thrill of spending the night in a museum is the capstone to a story ultimately about free speech, political progress, and artistic defiance. Featuring Inno's gorgeous art style recognizable from A is for Activist, Counting on Community, and his joyous activism, My Night in the Planetarium cleverly and humorously combines history, geography, politics, and activism in an adventure story of childhood wonder, political resistance, and familial connection. Seven year-old Innosanto's father, a famous Indonesian playwright, is in trouble with the government for his newest play's unfavorable portrayal of governmental power and corruption. After a rousing performance at a large theater complex which also houses the Jakarta Planetarium, Innosanto's father manages to sneak out of town to avoid arrest while Innosanto and his mother spend an exciting night sleeping under the stars in the Jakarta Planetarium. A beautiful introduction to the history and culture of Indonesia, My Night at the Planetarium is an engaging, thought-provoking starting point for a discussion of colonialism, political corruption, and artistic resistance. From School Library Journal Gr 2–5—Nagara recounts what happened the night he and his mother stayed in a planetarium after a performance by his father's acting troupe. Nagara's father was an actor, playwright, and activist who often used his art as a means of peaceful protest against the oppressive government of Indonesia. Anticipating a clash with authorities after a final performance, his father escaped with the departing audience while Nagara and his mother hid out for the night in the planetarium, under the stars, so to speak. Nagara does provide some brief historical background of Indonesia: its colonization by the Dutch, its eventual independence, and the rise of a military-run government. The narrative is intimate and occasionally casual, which softens the impact of some of the scarier moments of the story but still engages readers and manages to explain colonization to young listeners. The pacing feels uneven at times, but overall this is a solid read. Collage and mixed-media illustrations are full of vibrant colors and lush detail. A brief epilogue gives further information about Nagara's father and his work. VERDICT A strong choice for larger collections looking to grow their international biography sections.—Jody Kopple, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA Review "It’s a stirring tribute to the power of the arts to challenge injustice, recounted with the confidence of a practiced storyteller." — Publisher's Weekly " My Night in the Planetarium is a sweet, smart tribute to the author's father, to the radical power of art, and to the rich history of Indonesia. With gorgeous illustrations and an engaging narrative, this is art and resistance as seen through a child's eyes, and told by a fantastic storyteller." --Kate Schatz Rad American Women A-Z and Rad Women Worldwide "I loved this story so much, my God it is just like the reality we are living in, just like a mirror, it inspires and guides us to do what we need to do. This story makes us want to cry and scream out: it is enough, let us be brave and stop lying to ourselves, face the reality! It is a story that gives us hope and tells us not to hesitate and it teaches our children to always follow the truth even if it is sometimes difficult.” -- Nabil Al-Raee Artistic Director at The Freedom Theater in Jenin refugee camp, Palestine "Innosanto Nagara's beautifully illustrated My Night in the Planetarium is a delightful narrative about Indonesia: the fourth largest country, which we should all know more about. Told from the point of view of himself as a young boy, the story encourages children to be curious, engaged and courageous. What a wonderful lesson ab
