The Lunch Thief Anne C. Bromley Illustrated by Robert Casilla Hardcover, $16.95, ISBN 978-0-88448-311-3 9 x 10, 32 pages, color illustrations Children; Grades 2-6

Camellia Award, 2011-12
—Alabama Department of Education

Skipping Stones Honor Book, 2011

Finalist, Picture Book Category, San Diego Book Awards, 2011

"Big on heart this book helps teach empathy and looking at things from another person's point of view. This would be a great addition to a classroom or school library . . . ."
—Writing on the Sidewalk

". . . she presents a real-life problem and a thoughtful, considerate solution, a satisfying life lesson for all children about theft, confrontation, hunger, and homelessness."
—Central Maine Newspapers

"Rafael, a slightly pudgy boy whose favorite activities are pitching baseball and eating, catches Kevin, a new classmate, stealing lunches from him and his friends. Refraining from picking a fight ('Mama says fighting is for cowards'), Rafael is nonetheless annoyed by Kevin's actions and decides to find out more about this furtive, troubled boy. He learns from Kevin that his family lost their house in a recent southern California wildfire and then catches a glimpse of him carrying his laundry to a cheap motel. Thinking the situation through (and considering that his baseball coach has suggested he lose some weight), Rafael decides to offer Kevin not only his extra daily burrito, but also the weekly slice of his mother's famous lemon pound cake, thus defusing a potentially explosive situation. Full-color illustrations realistically portray the cast of characters and the boys' multicultural school. With a few well-placed remarks by Rafael's hardworking mother and no preachy overtones, this entirely credible story of how a thoughtful boy elects to 'light one candle' in response to the larger problem of homelessness and hunger would make an excellent touchstone for class discussion."
—School Library Journal

"Faced with a challenging situation when his lunch was stolen, Rafael listens to his instincts and follows his mother's valuable advice that 'fighting is for cowards' and 'use your mouth before your fists.' The Lunch Thief, by Anne C. Bromley, is a moving and thoughtful real-life story of how Rafael chose not to respond impulsively, but took the time to think through his actions in order to resolve the problem in a nonjudgmental way. It's a heartwarming book that helps children see the other side of every story."
—Thom Ronk, Teaching Tolerance

"Hunger is hidden. Most of us don't see it, don't hear about it, don't think about it because it's such a shameful thing for those experiencing it. But hunger is growing in America, and its worst victims are the children who must go without food every day, or who are fed empty, sweet calories instead of a nutritious meal because those calories are cheaper than good food. The Lunch Thief brings us a gentle reminder of what hunger can drive even children to do—and of the kindness and mercy that must be our response."
—Naomi Schalit, author of the award-winning newspaper series "For I Was Hungry"

Rafael is hungry-because someone stole his lunch. His mom had packed his lunch bag with two burritos, a bag of corn chips, some carrots, and an apple. Once a week she tucks in a slice of her special lemon pound cake. Rafael saw Kevin, a new kid in his class, sneak his lunch bag from underneath his desk and tuck it in his backpack. But how can he do something about the theft without picking a fight? Inspired by his mother's advice to "Use your mouth before your fists," Rafael bides his time, but other kids' lunches are disappearing, too. On an errand with his mom, Rafael sees Kevin carrying a bundle of laundry into a motel room, and his mom tells him Kevin's family might be one of the families who lost their homes in the recent wildfires. Rafael rethinks his anger. The next day, instead of accusing Kevin, Rafael invites him to share his lunch, letting him know he's been caught, but offering friendship as well as a good meal.

Anne C. Bromley lives in Encinitas, California, with her husband Rod. She is a business-writing instructor and consultant who teaches seminars throughout southern California. She has also taught creative-writing workshops for children and for adults. Anne has published two books of poetry with Carnegie Mellon University Press. She has both Master of Fine Arts and Master of Education degrees. Anne enjoys hiking in the high desert of Joshua Tree National Park, strolling along Swami's Beach at sunset, and observing the wildlife of her beach-town neighborhood-feral cats, raccoons, opossums, an occasional coyote, and surfers. Inspired by her experiences as a substitute teacher in northern San Diego County, The Lunch Thief is her first children's book. For more about Anne: www.annebromley.com

Robert Casilla, born in Jersey City, New Jersey, to parents from Puerto Rico, received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the School of Visual Arts in New York City. He works from his home studio in New Fairfield, Connecticut, where he lives with his wife and two children. Robert has illustrated many multicultural children's books such as The Little Painter of Sabana Grande, Jalapeño Bagels, The Legend of Mexicatl, and Con mi hermano/With My Brother. He has also illustrated a number of biographies, including ones about Martin Luther King, Jr., John F. Kennedy, Eleanor Roosevelt, Rosa Parks, Jackie Robinson, Jesse Owens, and Simón Bolívar. For more about Robert: www.robertcasilla.com, www.twitter.com/rcasilla

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