When Lightening Comes in a Jar is a story about family, like many of Patricia's books. It is time for Trisha's annual family reunion. All of her relatives are coming and she cannot wait. Every year they do the same activities. They throw a feast with tons of jell-o, a croquet game, and best of all there is storytelling time when all of the great aunts pull out their photo albums and try to top each others stories with another fantastic memory. This year, Trisha's gramma promised that she will help them catch lightening in a jar. She is so excited for her gramma to show her this magical trick. Once it is dark all the children go outside and gramma brings them all jars. She calls to the ground for the lightening to appear and like magic little fireflies are everywhere. This new tradition is one that will be passed on for generations to come at the annual family reunion only this time, it will be Trisha performing the magic of lightning in a jar.
This book made me think of my own traditions I have with my family. Every family has their own traditions so this book could be a good way to get kids writing about traditions they have in their families. I love the sense of love and family in Patricia's novels because it is something that most people can relate to. This book could be good for a read a loud in class because it is long for a picture book. I usually like pictures that are very colorful and unique, but I love the realistic pictures that Patricia draws. Since this story is realistic fiction, it makes sense.
I think this story would be good for second and third graders. I am sure after reading it they will want to try to catch lightning in a jar themselves. This book is very heartwarming and really made me appreciate my family and my traditions. I think after reading this the students will have many of their own family memories to share and could make for a fun lesson after reading this book.
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