sandraagee's review against another edition
I wanted to like this book, but it just isn't working for me. Gave up after about 100 pages. It was slow to start and while some other reviewers have said that the pace pick up later on, I don't think that I care enough to see if it does.
From the bit I read the vibe of this book seemed very surreal. There's an odd internal logic and the story certainly isn't straightforward. None of these traits are necessarily bad, but I had a hard time envisioning what sort of kid would really want to read this book. In a way it seemd to be more of a book about childhood (see also [b:The Little Prince|157993|The Little Prince|Antoine de Saint-Exupéry|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1350961171s/157993.jpg|2180358]), rather than a book for children.
From the bit I read the vibe of this book seemed very surreal. There's an odd internal logic and the story certainly isn't straightforward. None of these traits are necessarily bad, but I had a hard time envisioning what sort of kid would really want to read this book. In a way it seemd to be more of a book about childhood (see also [b:The Little Prince|157993|The Little Prince|Antoine de Saint-Exupéry|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1350961171s/157993.jpg|2180358]), rather than a book for children.
star63's review against another edition
1.0
I picked up this book because it is on so many reading lists, even some lists of possible Newbery contenders. I really didn't like it. I understand that the land of Hokey Pokey is an allegory for childhood but it was really hard to sustain my reading through this book. It wasn't until the middle/late part of the story that I began to really put the pieces together and understand what was going on. Herds of wild bikes? A belly stamp like the Sneetches?
So I decided to hand it over to one of my strongest readers to see what she thought of the book (6th grade), she felt the same way that I did, she finished it but found it laborious. Another strong reader abandoned it after about 50 pages with an, "I don't get it." It's in my classroom library but I'm unsure who I would hand it to.
So I decided to hand it over to one of my strongest readers to see what she thought of the book (6th grade), she felt the same way that I did, she finished it but found it laborious. Another strong reader abandoned it after about 50 pages with an, "I don't get it." It's in my classroom library but I'm unsure who I would hand it to.
zcc's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? Yes
4.0
msseviereads's review against another edition
2.0
Abandoned after 100 pages... I just couldn't get into this one. I understand the concept -- and I like the concept, but the storytelling was lacking for me.
wiseowl33's review against another edition
4.0
Deep. Not sure how much kids will understand on one level... they are living the life. But at the same time they will enjoy the story. good book!
froggylibrarian1's review against another edition
3.0
Hmmm...I liked it well enough but as a book for kids? I honestly don't think the students at my school would "get it". I really don't think they would stick with the book long enough to figure it out.
alisa4books's review against another edition
4.0
Beautiful, poetic, lyrical tale of the transition from childhood to adulthood. Took me a while to fall into the world and catch the vision, but once I did, I was hooked. Favorite bits: "His heart (was) an empty bike rack. The wind wailing through the blown-open hole in his soul." "Little kids drop like apples from monkey bars and swings and come running." "He thinks words cannot penetrate a turned back."
stacyculler's review
5.0
Charming
Such a sweet, imaginative vision of childhood and coming of age. Made me realize how fleeting it is, and for a moment, while reading it, felt like I could go back.
Such a sweet, imaginative vision of childhood and coming of age. Made me realize how fleeting it is, and for a moment, while reading it, felt like I could go back.
lazygal's review against another edition
3.0
Perhaps I'm just slow, but it took me a while to realize that Jack was a real boy - this could have been a version of Toy Story. He lives in Hokey Pokey, a land filled with interesting creations and activities, like Snuggler and Tantrums and the Hokey Pokey shaved ice man. He's famous in Hokey Pokey, the owner of "Scramjet", an amazing bike culled from the wild herd; with his two friends, LoJo and Dusty, he's one of the Three Amigos. Then one day he wakes up, "Scramjet" has been taken by a girl (YUCK!!), his tattoo is fading and something is... not quite right.
The deeper message of the book is that it's ok to grow up, ok to stop loving the things that once obsessed you, ok for your younger friends and enthusiasms to seem far away. There will come a day, or perhaps a few days, when that transition from "young" to "slightly older" will happen and this is all a natural part of life. Obviously, this is a book for a younger crowed than Stargirl, but it may serve to make fans of Spinelli continue to be fans as they age.
ARC provided by publisher.
The deeper message of the book is that it's ok to grow up, ok to stop loving the things that once obsessed you, ok for your younger friends and enthusiasms to seem far away. There will come a day, or perhaps a few days, when that transition from "young" to "slightly older" will happen and this is all a natural part of life. Obviously, this is a book for a younger crowed than Stargirl, but it may serve to make fans of Spinelli continue to be fans as they age.
ARC provided by publisher.
msguerrette's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this book, overall. I think Spinelli was masterful (again) in crafting the story. I'm not sure about a recommended audience though, because I don't think it will have kid-appeal for my students. They will, I fear, not connect to the nostalgic feeling he creates because they are too close to it. A gift book, maybe...but for who? Teen? Recent high school grads? Hard to say. I think this book will be more satisfying to adults than children.