Solomon Singer is lonely and living in New York City by himself, He often dreams of living in Indiana again an being away from the hustle and bustle of the city. One night he find himself in the Westway Cafe, where the waiter, Angel, tells him to "come back soon." Solomon goes back overnight because he has found comfort there because of Angel. The central message of this story is being able to find a piece of home anywhere you are and finding beauty in your surroundings. ( )

Grade 3 Up-- Solomon Singer is a middle-aged man who lives in a hotel for men in New York City. One night his solitary wanderings take him into a restaurant where he reads these words on the menu: ``The Westway Cafe -- where all your dreams come true. '' A soft-voiced waiter (metaphorically named Angel) welcomes him and invites him back. Each night Singer returns, ordering food and, silently, ordering his wishes for the things he remembers from an Indiana boyhood. Rylant has sketched a spare portrait, in flawless, graceful prose, of a man weighted down by hopelessness. Readers do not know the details of his circumstances, but they will feel his forlornness acutely. There is a symbolic and ambiguous quality to this book, which, despite its uplifting ending, is heightened by the illustrations. Catalanotto's signature watercolors have never been more affecting. He captures the smudgy nighttime murkiness of urban streets illuminated by artificial lights that float upward to become stars and bleed downward onto wet pavements to become a vision of midwestern wheat fields. This can be read as a familiar allegory in which the mysterious stranger represents the wish giver--the angel. It also works as a straightforward reminder that, in the face of staggering social problems, a smile in chance encounters has power. Not for the average story-hour crowd, but this title will be of great value to libraries in which whole language demands new creative uses for picture books for older readers, writers, and thinkers. --Kate McClelland, Perrot Memorial Library, Greenwich, CT

For me, this is a book with soul. It is also a good mentor text for author's craft:
Developing a sense of setting through the use of specific proper nouns (Place)
the use of Parentheses (pgs 3, 14, 16, 17 and 26)
punctuation: commas and exclamation marks - pg 4 is a good example
sentence variety "-31 - 14 -3 Solomon Singer wandered
Use of italics, use of colon, quote from a text the character is reading - page 12
Simile - figurative language - "a voice quiet like Indiana pines in November" (pgs 14, 19, 20)
Commas that list parallel thoughts - "Waiter was glad to see him, glad to have him, and told him, "Come back again" pg16

A much more meaningful story for adults than for children ages 4 to 8 about loneliness, making connections and creating a home. Solomon Singer moves to a resident hotel in New York City and feels very alone until he connects with a waiter at the diner where he eats daily; the waiter's name is Angel. ( )

I really enjoyed this book! I thought it was very cute and paired with the paintings/illustrations, it is a feel-good read! With the title of "An Angel for Solomon Singer" and then finding a character named Angel for the main character, Solomon Singer it is easy to see the connection. The theme/main message of this book is to keep searching for something that makes you happy, no matter the situation. Solomon Singer was able to find happiness and all of his dreams came true because someone was nice to him and he finally felt adjusted to where he was. Another way of looking at the theme/main message is that a little respect goes a long way. Sometimes it only takes a smile and a nice gesture from a stranger to make someone's day.
Though this book is technically supposed to be used for an elementary level classroom, its main message can affect readers of all ages and therefore is feel-good, wonderful book! ( )

Solomon Singer starts off lonely and sad. He lives in a place that he doesn’t like, and nothing around him brings him much joy. He longs to be back at his boyhood home in Indiana, where things are loved and familiar. Every night he wanders the streets of New York dreaming of home. He finds his way into Westway Café where Solomon slowly builds a familiar relationship and a place that feels like home.