b_jud's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
mat_tobin's review against another edition
4.0
A really lovely updated collection of short stories that follows the relationship between Ray and his Grampa, Halfmoon who live in Chicago. Each story can be read individually (for the most part) and build towards creating a nice early chapter book.
The style is accessible whilst still maintaining a rich and engaging narrative (both Grampa and Ray have a loving relationship). In this collection, Grampa shares Seminole and Cherokee stories with Ray and there are rich cultural references throughout which I really welcomed. A lovely choice for beginning-chapter readers.
With regards to the implied readership in the UK, some support will be needed but discussions will be richer for it.
The style is accessible whilst still maintaining a rich and engaging narrative (both Grampa and Ray have a loving relationship). In this collection, Grampa shares Seminole and Cherokee stories with Ray and there are rich cultural references throughout which I really welcomed. A lovely choice for beginning-chapter readers.
With regards to the implied readership in the UK, some support will be needed but discussions will be richer for it.
adrianlwaller's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
little_silver's review
3.0
Six sweet short stories about Ray and his Grandpa Halfmoon and their life in Chicago. Cynthia Leitich Smith again deftly gives us a look into contemporary Native American lives.
elsanore's review against another edition
5.0
This middle grade collection of linked short stories about Ray and his grandfather is understated and elegant. Aspects of their Native American identity are mentioned in passing, but the stories mainly show their loving, understanding relationship.
the_fabric_of_words's review against another edition
5.0
This is a series of six, gentle short stories about the same Cherokee-Seminole characters, a young boy, Ray Halfmoon, and his Grandpa Halfmoon. Over the course of the stories, the reader learns Ray is living with his grandpa in Chicago after his parents were killed in a tornado in Oklahoma.
Each story is only 11-pages, so they're perfect for lower elementary grades /middle grade readers.
In "Indian Shoes," Ray trades his high tops for a pair of moccasins for grandpa.
In "Don't Forget the Pants," Grandpa has to think fast to find Ray a pair of pants that fit so Ray can be in a wedding.
In "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?" Ray and Grandpa figure out a way to get Christmas dinner to the pets they're house sitting despite a power outage.
In "The Accident," Ray's ferret ruins his watercolor painting the day before it's due and he has to figure out a solution.
"Team Colors" reminded me of past haircuts gone wrong on my son. Grandpa Halfmoon kinda messes up Ray's hair and has to figure out a solution.
And finally in "Night Fishing," Ray and his Grandpa go home to Oklahoma and relive old memories on the lake.
Teachers' Note:
The author, on her website, offers a bunch of teaching resources for the book!
There is a Reading Group Guide, a Readers Theater for "Don't forget the pants," Multiple Intelligence Projects, a Word Search puzzle with vocabulary from the story, and Discussion Questions including one from each short story and four general ELA concept questions, such as "What makes a short story collection different than a novel?" She also offers an author interview, an excerpt from the text and a "behind the scenes" look at several interviews with the author published in several outlets.
And to mark the release of the paperback of the book, author-educator Andrea Page (Lakota) created a new teaching guide. It features 11 discussion questions, including a preview for clues about the main characters in the illustrations. Other questions relate to setting, foreshadowing, transitions, identifying conflict, symbolism and themes / values, and one question pertaining to the author in the Author's Note at the end.
Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
Each story is only 11-pages, so they're perfect for lower elementary grades /middle grade readers.
In "Indian Shoes," Ray trades his high tops for a pair of moccasins for grandpa.
In "Don't Forget the Pants," Grandpa has to think fast to find Ray a pair of pants that fit so Ray can be in a wedding.
In "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?" Ray and Grandpa figure out a way to get Christmas dinner to the pets they're house sitting despite a power outage.
In "The Accident," Ray's ferret ruins his watercolor painting the day before it's due and he has to figure out a solution.
"Team Colors" reminded me of past haircuts gone wrong on my son. Grandpa Halfmoon kinda messes up Ray's hair and has to figure out a solution.
And finally in "Night Fishing," Ray and his Grandpa go home to Oklahoma and relive old memories on the lake.
Teachers' Note:
The author, on her website, offers a bunch of teaching resources for the book!
There is a Reading Group Guide, a Readers Theater for "Don't forget the pants," Multiple Intelligence Projects, a Word Search puzzle with vocabulary from the story, and Discussion Questions including one from each short story and four general ELA concept questions, such as "What makes a short story collection different than a novel?" She also offers an author interview, an excerpt from the text and a "behind the scenes" look at several interviews with the author published in several outlets.
And to mark the release of the paperback of the book, author-educator Andrea Page (Lakota) created a new teaching guide. It features 11 discussion questions, including a preview for clues about the main characters in the illustrations. Other questions relate to setting, foreshadowing, transitions, identifying conflict, symbolism and themes / values, and one question pertaining to the author in the Author's Note at the end.
Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
taralorraine's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Each chapter is its story and it was a quick, enjoyable read, BUT I felt it was too surface-level or outside looking in rather than allowing me to really get to know and be invested in the characters.