A mildly amusing, extremely far-fetched take on the perennial adolescent desire to transform oneself. Jellimiah John Jensen gets the perfect opportunity to escape his dorky seventh-grade persona when his mother, a surgeon, transfers from Los Angeles to a town just north of New York City. His old school accidentally sends two transcripts—one in the name of John, as he had requested, and one in the name of Jellimiah. When the school principal expresses an interest in meeting John's ``twin,'' he sees her mistake and invents a new personality, acting the roles of the tough, rakish Jellimiah and the nerdy, sweet John on alternate days. A series of mishaps, deceptions, and ever-larger whoppers told to classmates, teachers, his mother, and the principal culminate in a class party where he switches identities after each dance. He solves his dilemma with a twist as unlikely as the rest of the plot, and rechristens himself J.J., integrating both his outrageous and clean-cut selves. Although this tale never actually lives up to the intrigue of its title, cartoonish characters don't slow the pace, and it may find readers among those who suspect that behind their own nerdy exteriors are miscreants yearning to get out. (Fiction. 11-13)
Pub Date: Dec. 1, 1997
ISBN: 0-380-97445-2
Page Count: 151
Publisher: Avon/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 1997
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A skirmish over a favorite stuffed rabbit nearly destroys a friendship and the toy itself, but well-timed physical and emotional bandaging saves the day. When a little boy moves in next door to a little girl they quickly becomes friends and start sharing toys. This works well for cars, trucks, bears, and balls, but when the boy shows up with a new stuffed rabbit, cooperation goes out the window. In the ensuing tug-of-rabbit, each child yanks on the poor bunny’s ears until the stitching gives way. Figuring out a way to repair the rabbit also eventually patches up the friendship. Minor battles rage in homes and preschools everywhere, so children and adults alike will appreciate this subtle example of a peaceful resolution to toy disputes. Jahn-Clough’s pleasantly stubby children convey both healthy loud-mouthed anger and substantial charm. (Picture book. 3-8)
Pub Date: March 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-395-93545-8
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 1999
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Ramona returns (Ramona Forever, 1988, etc.), and she’s as feisty as ever, now nine-going-on-ten (or “zeroteen,” as she calls it). Her older sister Beezus is in high school, baby-sitting, getting her ears pierced, and going to her first dance, and now they have a younger baby sister, Roberta. Cleary picks up on all the details of fourth grade, from comparing hand calluses to the distribution of little plastic combs by the school photographer. This year Ramona is trying to improve her spelling, and Cleary is especially deft at limning the emotional nuances as Ramona fails and succeeds, goes from sad to happy, and from hurt to proud. The grand finale is Ramona’s birthday party in the park, complete with a cake frosted in whipped cream. Despite a brief mention of nose piercing, Cleary’s writing still reflects a secure middle-class family and untroubled school life, untouched by the classroom violence or the broken families of the 1990s. While her book doesn’t match what’s in the newspapers, it’s a timeless, serene alternative for children, especially those with less than happy realities. (Fiction. 8-12)
Pub Date: Aug. 25, 1999
ISBN: 0-688-16816-7
Page Count: 192
Publisher: Morrow/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 1999
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