📘 The One Thing You'd Save
Words by Linda Sue Park, Illustrations by Robert Sae-Heng
Genre/Category: This book is for the Bluebonnet category
Target Age Group: Ages 8-12
Format Read: Physical Copy
🌀 Plot Summary (1–2 Sentences)
In a classroom setting, a teacher poses a thought-provoking question: If your house were on fire, and you could only save one thing (besides family and pets), what would it be? The students take turns sharing their answers, each revealing a meaningful object that reflects their unique memories, identities, and values.
✅ Why I Chose This Book
I chose this book because I’ve often asked myself a similar question: what would I grab in case of an emergency? It also fulfilled the requirement of selecting a Bluebonnet Award book. The premise immediately caught my attention, and I was curious to see how different children would respond to such a deep, personal prompt.
🔍 Evaluation
1. Major Dramatic Question
The title itself introduces the main dramatic question: What is the one thing you’d save in a fire? This instantly sparks self-reflection and curiosity. Readers are invited to consider their own answer while reading the students' varied responses, making it a very interactive and introspective experience.
2. Style and Language
The book is written in a dialogue-style format, making it feel like you're listening in on a real classroom discussion. I appreciated how the voices of the children felt genuine and age-appropriate, which makes it relatable for young readers. The conversational tone, paired with free verse poetry, adds an emotional and lyrical quality that draws readers in.
3. Theme
At its core, the book explores themes of memory, identity, and what we value most. I loved how each student’s answer offered insight into their personality. Some chose sentimental objects like a handmade sweater or a special book, while others picked practical or quirky items. The book encourages readers to reflect on their own meaningful possessions and what makes them special. Personally, it reminded me of the blanket my mom hand-knitted for me on my birthday, something I would definitely save in a fire.
4. Illustrations
The illustrations play a key role in visually highlighting the items each student would save. They help bring clarity and meaning to the children’s choices, especially for younger readers who benefit from visual context. I also appreciated the artistic style, soft and sketch-like, almost as if a child had drawn them. This creative choice adds authenticity and makes the story feel even more connected to a real classroom experience.
📚 Reference
Park, L. S. (2021). The one thing you'd save (R. Sae-Heng, Illus.). Clarion Books.