Stranger in the Mirror

by Allen Say

One morning eight-year-old Martin looks in the mirror and sees a stranger. Overnight, he has changed. His parents take him to one doctor after another, only to be told that there is nothing wrong with their son. At school his teacher asks, "What have we here, trick or treat?" His classmates will not play with him. At home his family tries to treat him as if he were the same child. But things now are different. Martin has grown very old in the space of one day. His world will never be the same again.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fantasy, Asian Literature, Family, School, Fiction

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Allen Say is one of the most beloved artists working today. He is the recipient of the Caldecott Medal for GRANDFATHER'S JOURNEY, and also won a Caldecott Honor and the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for THE BOY OF THE THREE-YEAR NAP (written by Dianne Snyder). Many of Allen’s stories are derived from his own experiences as a child. His other books include THE BICYCLE MAN, TEA WITH MILK, and TREE OF CRANES, hailed by The Horn Book in a starred review as “the achievement of a master in his prime.” Allen’s recent book, ERIKA-SAN, received a starred review in Publishers Weekly. He lives in Portland, Oregon.

Reviews

[Hilary · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young boy thinks of his grandfather and says that he never wants to get old. When he wakes up the next morning his face has aged so he looks like a very small grandfather

This was an interesting idea but I was left not knowing why it happened or what had happened, I expected it to all be a dream but from the last page it doesn't look like it was.

[Amy Layton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt a little confused by this book, if I'm to be honest.  If I rack my brain, I can assume that there's something to be said that there is respect to be had for our elders, and that though we should treat them with respect, we shouldn't treat them as though they're helpless.

When Martin wakes up one morning and discovers that he has grown 80 years in the course of one night, he's at a total loss.  His sister doesn't recognize him, his parents take him to doctors to no avail, and his classmates won't play with him.  He's lonely, he retreats, and there's no cure in sight.

While Say's illustrations are as beautiful as ever, this story didn't quite hit the same as some of his other works.  To me, it didn't feel as impactful, or even as important as his other works.

Review cross-listed here!

[Mitchell Friedman · Rating 4 out of 5]

One more by the author, courtesy of the Washington County Library System, a nice surprise. As always, this is not quite a children's picture book. Beautiful art and a lot of text. We follow Sam who's appearance ages all of a sudden. And no one is sure who that makes him. Who are we on the inside? Who are we on the outside.

[529_Quincy Owens · Rating 1 out of 5]

Stranger in the Mirror by Allen Say. “Sam” wakes up one day looking like Grandpa who may have recently died. I believe he dreamed the whole account but, his friends, family, and teachers make fun of him or are caught starring at him the whole story. He was essentially the same person but because of his looks everyone treated him differently. I guess it was a brilliant idea but its execution wasn’t that great. The anti-climatic ending where he’s eating sandwiches left me without much closure. Also, I’m guessing this is a cultural difference but, at the end of the story he says he thought the day was Monday. He went to school the previous two days. I’ve become acclimated to American culture and weekends off from schools. I thought Japanese students were off one day of the week, yet it seems like these students go to school every day. Little details like this kept me from truly enjoying such a fantastic “science fiction” idea. The book would work well for students in the 3rd grade and beyond.

[Shannon Collyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sam awoke one morning to a stranger in the mirror… the reflection he saw was not his own, but rather that of an old man! His mother and father tried to figure out what was wrong and when they couldn’t, Sam was examined by three doctors. All three decided it was best to wait to see if the problem fixed itself. Meanwhile, Sam was having some problems at school. Kids were making fun of the way he looked and old friends did not want to play with him. His own sister even tried to move him into their grandfather’s room on the main floor of the house. Would life ever go back to normal? Would Sam’s odd appearance ever change? Read Stranger in the Mirror by Allen Say to find out! This book is an interesting fictional tale about a boy and his troublesome change. It explores the difficulties he endures simply because he looks different. I would recommend this book as a start to a unit regarding race. Though it does not deal specifically with race, it is an example of the ostracizing many of different races endure simply because they look different.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book deals with the often neglected subject of agism, though I have to say that it didn't really resolve the issue at the end. The main character just seemed to recover and respected his grandfather a little more for the experience. Everyone else didn't change their attitude, only Sam whose initial opinions you're never really clear about anyway. For all we know, he might not have had any real issue to begin with. It's beautifully illustrated, as are all of Allen Say's books, but I kind of wanted more resolution from the ending or at least a clearer statement on the wrongness of treating the elderly like inferior beings. I guess it could open the conversation on agism, but it leaves it to readers to draw a conclusion of their own as to the wrongness of agism in general.

[Mir · Rating 3 out of 5]

Odd little tale about a boy who wakes up one morning to find that he has overnight grown old and now looks like his recently-departed (died or institutionalized, it isn't clear) grandfather. Doctors can't help and everyone shuns or mocks him.

Like Say's other picture books, this is interesting but ultimately disappointing. The ending is a let down and it is unclear what the reader is supposed to take away from the story.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a interesting story - themes of agism and difference. The story is of a little boy who suddenly wakes up as an old man, something he had pitied or wished against when thinking of his grandfather.

[Cheryl]

I know that there's more to this than the theme of judging people by what they look like. One might think it's anti-ageist, at first, but that interpretation is not supported by the text (after all, the kid with wrinkles is still great on a skateboard). So, what is going on? Remembering that Say is more revered for his art, and has spent more time honing his artistic skills & vision, than on his stories, I focused on the images. No help. Sorry.

But I still think it's me. So, unlike other reviewers, I will not rate low.

[Misbah · Rating 2 out of 5]

A kid wakes up looking like an old man and freaks out his family and friends. He's upset that everyone's judging him because of his looks. But he doesn't have to worry looking because he returns back to normal after a couple of days. Didn't understand the punt n of him growing old for a little bit.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

We love Allen Say, but this wasn't one of our favorites.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

What an odd book.

[Leslie Miller · Rating 1 out of 5]

Really didn't get it at all.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Exposes how we treat people based on their apparent (visual) age, not their abilities.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story of a boy who, one morning, looks into the mirror and the face he sees is not his own.

[Nina · Rating 3 out of 5]

A strange book, but I enjoyed it. The way I interpret it, it's a story about self acceptance. Beautiful illustrations as always.

[Brigette · Rating 2 out of 5]

I felt like I was back with VanAllsburg when I read this book. The muted colors, high modality, tall portrait orientation, and framing around the illustrations all felt very familiar to me, so much so, that I checked a few times to see if VanAllsburg’s name was hiding somewhere on the cover as the credited illustrator. It also had a slightly magical tone to the story, just like many of VanAllsburg’s stories did. That being said, please go to one of my VanAllsburg reviews and I’ll be done here.
Just kidding.
This is a tall, portrait oriented book because it focuses on a person and his life and a particular journey he went on. It also mimics the shape of a mirror. The jacket illustration shows a young boy looking in the mirror with a happily surprised look on his face. The third opening shows an illustration that is very opposite from this. It depicts an old man shocked at his appearance in the mirror. Each illustration is framed with a thin black line which then is surrounded by white space toward the edge of the page. This is a very stark contrast to the other books I have read for this week’s assignment. The thin line gives a very clean look. This border is also mirrored on the page with the text. The text is always found on the verso while the illustrations are exclusively found on the recto, with the exception of the very last page of the book. I feel that this would help a teacher in a read-aloud situation because he or she would not have to always be adjusting the book to be able to find the text. This consistency also adds to the clean, professional feeling that is so prominent throughout the book. The illustrations themselves, in their high modality, also make me feel like I am reading a book for older readers, though that might just be because I just finished two books with very low modalities that are clearly intended for younger audiences. I feel that through all of this adult-looking stuff, the author might be suggesting even more what the text of the story tells us: be grateful that you are a child: being old stinks.

[Kaitlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sam returns from visiting his grandfather at a retirement home and thinks to himself, I do not want to get old. Then Sam looks in the mirror and realizes that an old man is staring back at him. It was him, except really, really, old! His parents freak out and rush him to the doctor where the doctor tells him to be patient and wait. Sam goes about daily life as usual except everyone keeps teasing him about his age and nobody seems to be his friend anymore. Nobody at school recognizes him and he feels left out and alone. His own family treats him as if he is a different person.
The doctors tell Sam everything is fine and to continue about his daily life even though Sam knows there is something wrong with him. This reflects how doctors usually treat elderly people by telling them to just ‘wait and see’. Elders are treated as if they have one foot out the door already even though they could have another 20-30 years of life. Age can change a person’s view of someone over time. When you are old, people treat you differently than if you were young. This book shows children that just because someone is, does not mean that they are a different person inside. They look older and may need more help with doing things, but their personality over time stays the same give or take. This book can also help children understand that going through puberty does not change who you are. It is only a change in appearance, not a change in one’s inner self. This book will help children understand their grandparents better and they may also help the child understand how the people around them are feeling about their grandparents. The artwork was very realistic and drawn to reflect real life with a strange but insightful plot overall.

[Kristi Wren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to admit that this is a sad story about a Asian American boy who named Sam. There was one day his Parents and little sister were screaming when they saw Sam. Sam does not look like Sam anymore! Sam ran to the mirror and see himself as a old man with white hair, just like his grandpa. Sam’s parents took him to the doctor but the doctor could not find any physical problem of Sam so Sam’s parents has to send Sam back to school. Peers in school made fun of Sam and embarrassed Sam. Sam decided to find a new place where his appearance would not matter. Sam was confused why people would not believe him that he is still that young boy inside. Why do people judges other by how do they look? I also could read that Sam’s family did not treat Sam’s grandpa very well because Sam was really afraid he would be treated like his grandpa- been send away or had to live downstairs in the basement. I felt so sorry about Sam and his Grandpa.I think this is a good book for young children to learn the lesson.

The book is very simple and easy to read. The illustrations are clear and very realistic so that the book could really bring readers into the story. The wide white border made the illustrations like photos which records Sam’s story. The front pages are grey, just like the color of the old man’s hair.

Over this is a sad book and somehow I think the concept is a little bit creepy.

[Teri-mae Delay · Rating 3 out of 5]

"I don't want to get old." The main character Sam comes home to an empty house on day after school. It causes him to his grandfather, and fills him with a little regret that his grandfather had to go into a senior living center. Sam's guilt is such a burden that Sam himself turns into an old man! Throughout the book Sam is made fun of by his school mates until finally he looks like himself again, a young school boy.
This story reflects a circle plot while addressing critical issues. The issue addressed in this book is how age affect's people's perceptions of you and how your own perception changes towards yourself. The book is straightforward and gets to the point quickly. I like how the issue was addressed and how the emotion jumps off the page. This book received a rate of three because while the plot and moral are fantastic, the story is a little difficult to follow. I do feel as though this book can be used to help explain puberty and getting older to young children.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stranger in the Mirror by Allen Say is about how age and people's differences are viewed in our society. Say begins the story with a teenage boy is is almost instantly turned into his grandpa and has to go through several days living this way, hearing people talk about him, until he finally returns to his youth. Throughout the story, Say remains very consistent in the placement of his text. He makes it farily large and positioned in the center of the left page which makes it easy for the reader to see. All images are then on the right page where they are all framed by a thin black line that almost looks as though they are just pictures glued and stuck to each page. The images on each page tend to stay within the same color scheme. He uses darker colors on some pages and warmer colors on others, all which create a warm and welcoming feel while reading.

[Robert Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this along side Tea with Milk, and it is interesting to compare their structural similarities. Although the two stories are quiet different, they follow the same format pattern, i.e. size, paging, image placement. Both books are almost identical in how they were constructed, and as I think on all of Says books I've read in the past, Grandfather's Journey, Emma's Rug etc., they also follow this pattern. Say seems to have a pattern for constructing his books, which leads to a repetition in pattern.

[Sean Fowler · Rating 1 out of 5]

I do not think writing a negative review is the best thing to do on this, but this book was awful. I was completely lost in the plot and did not know if it was his imagination making him look older, or if he actually changed physically. If I am confused, a little kid may be too.
I thought this book would have had the plot of an old person, not recognizing themselves in a mirror, as they got older. That makes more sense than this book. The book seemed promising at first, but it left me questioning what the point of it even was.

[Dani Vatsaas · Rating 2 out of 5]

Stranger in the Mirror, written and illustrated by Allen Say, is definitely interesting to say the least. My favorite part of the book was the illustrations, which were unique and humorous. However, I was a little disappointed by the story itself. There really didn't seem to be a point, other than a young boys fear of growing old, and he loved to skateboard? All in all, an easy read, but not one that I would recommend.

[Lesley Looper · Rating 3 out of 5]

The boy in this story gets a taste for what it's like to look like an older person, though he still interacts with his classmates (who shun him). The puzzling thing is that the boy's parents are stand-offish too. Wierd things happen in dreams, though, right?

The Allen Say illustrations are fascinating as usual. I keep going between 2 and 3 stars on this one.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Used to know Say-san about 10 years ago and lost touch. Hey Allen if you happen to read this..I'm in Portland now and would love to be in touch.

His books are always thoughtful, touching and meaningful....not to mention exquisitely illustrated.

[Jo · Rating 2 out of 5]

What would happen if you woke up and suddenly found yourself looking old? -is what this book is about. The end of this book is very poorly written, but the story itself is fairly decent, and might lend itself to a "what if" writing lesson. The illustrations are excellent.

[Cara · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't really like this book. I didn't understand what it was trying to say. Sam gets old and is treated differently so maybe it was about agism? It didn't feel like this book had a conclusion. It just sort of ended when Sam (woke up?) was normal again.

[Judy · Rating 2 out of 5]

A rather odd book by the author of one of my favourites 'Emma's Rug'. Like another goodreads reviewer, I would have liked a bit of resolution at the end of this story. Beautifully illustrated as always.

[Mckinley · Rating 1 out of 5]

Odd story about a young boy who mysteriously ages overnight and gets mistaken for his grandfather. The ending is not well thought out. I'm not sure what this is really about. At first I thought Sam was in mourning but that doesn't seem to told.