A Light in the Attic

Template:Short description Template:Redirect Template:Infobox book A Light in the Attic is a book of poems by American poet, writer, and musician Shel Silverstein. The book consists of 135 poems accompanied by illustrations also created by Silverstein.<ref name="sets">Template:Cite news</ref> It was first published by Harper & Row Junior Books in 1981 and was a bestseller for months after its publication,<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> but it has also been the subject of controversy regarding some of its content.<ref name="boy">Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Development

In the back of the book, Silverstein credits author Charlotte Zolotow, Harper’s publicist Joan Robins,<ref name="btbs">Template:Cite news</ref> Harper’s executive editor Robert Warren,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> author James Skofield, private secretary Glenise Butcher,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and John Vitale of HarperCollins.<ref name=btbs/> He also thanks Harper & Row editor Ursula Nordstrom.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The book was published in Harper’s Junior Books division in 1981, but was marketed towards adults as well.<ref name=btbs/>

Summary

There are 135 poems in this book.<ref name=sets/>

Reception

A Light in the Attic was number two on the New York Times bestseller list soon after its publication and remained on the list for 50 consecutive weeks.<ref name=sets/> It sold more than 575,000 copies in the first year.<ref name="sets" />

Influence and legacy

A Light in the Attic was praised by critics and audiences for years after its publication.<ref name="celebrate">Template:Cite news</ref> In the fall of 2001, HarperCollins Children’s Books honored the 20th anniversary of the book with a special edition release that featured a separate CD of 11 poems performed by the beloved poet.<ref name="celebrate" /> It was the first children's book to break onto the Adult New York Times Best Sellers list where it remained for 181 weeks.<ref name="celebrate" />

Silverstein died from a heart attack on May 11, 1999, at the age of 68.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> According to an obituary published by The Washington Post, "To millions of children and adults, Mr. Silverstein was a master of whimsy and light satire, which he delivered in verse--sometimes downright goofy--that tapped a universal sense of the absurd."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Controversies

Attempts have been made to ban the book from some libraries in the United States, parents claiming that the poem "How Not to Have to Dry the Dishes" encourages messiness and disobedience.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The poem "Little Abigail and the Beautiful Pony" resulted in criticism for describing the death of a little girl whose parents refuse to buy her a pony.<ref name="boy" /> This resulted in the book being banned by the Fruitland Park Elementary School in Lake County, Florida.<ref name="boy" /> The decision, however, was later reversed by an advisory committee of parents and teachers.<ref name="world.edu">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Awards

Winner of the 1984 William Allen White Children's Book Award.

Winner of the 1984 Garden State Children’s Book Award for nonfiction from the New Jersey Library Association.<ref name="boy" />

Named a 1981 American Library Association Notable Children's Book.<ref name="boy" />

Named a 1981 School Library Journal Best Book.<ref name="celebrate" />