Multicultural Book: Mister Orange

APA Citation:   Matti, T., & Desmond, J. (2012). Mister Orange. 1st American ed. New York: Enchanted Lion Books.

Age Range: 10-12

Summary:  Set in 1943 New York City, this chapter book tells the story of preteen Linus whose older brother Albie has enlisted in the Army to serve in World War Two.  Daily life changes for Linus and his family as they struggle to live a “normal” life, with siblings filling the missing space that Albie leaves behind at home.  Although Linus and Albie share a love of comic books, Linus wonders if there is room for imagination when reality is so harsh.  A grocery delivery for his father’s store introduces Linus to Mister Orange who teaches him that imagination is what creates a future worth living.

                Mister Orange, written by Truus Matti is considered multicultural fiction due to the introduction of the character of Mister Orange who has fled from Europe to find artistic freedom in the United States during World War Two.  Middle school aged readers will be able to relate to Linus as he tries to reconcile imagination in a world in which reality is too difficult to deal with; especially when his beloved older brother’s life is at stake.

                This book meets the information needs of children ages 10-12 because they are also dealing with the reality of growing up.  Matti’s chapter book acknowledges that there is room for imagination and that this imagination is what allows us to envision a brighter future.  Imagination and the freedom to create is what moves society forward in search of modernity.  Students in this age group have probably been exposed to the basics of World War Two and will understand Mr. Orange’s background and why he felt that he needed to bring his art to America.

                I appreciated the afterword of the book in which Matti explains the artist whom Mr. Orange is based on.  I do think that young readers will appreciate the imagination that the author used in creating a character based on a real life person and relaying how a child such as Linus would interact with him and find him interesting.