The Stranger

 

Chris Van Allsburg’s books work beautifully with nearly any writing lesson.  I use The Stranger  (1986) to teach unusual character details, show not tell, and inconclusive endings. Chrisvanallsburg.com has teacher and student activities.

Book Description:

It is late summer when Farmer Bailey has the accident. The man he hits with his truck is dressed in peculiar fashion, all in leather. The man has lost his memory, and Farmer Bailey takes him into his home to recuperate. 
Some weeks pass but the stranger still does not know who he is or where he came from. The Baileys grow quite fond of the man. One day a group of geese flies overhead, going south. The stranger follows them with his eyes until they are out of sight. Farmer Bailey begins to notice how strange the weather is. It seems that fall will never come. 
Chris Van Allsburg again explores that fine line between reality and fantasy. His evocative full-color artwork catches every nuance of the mysterious stranger as he blows on a leaf until it slowly turns from green to a golden red.

Retrieved from here.