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NOW EVERYBODY REALLY HATES ME

Name: NOW EVERYBODY REALLY HATES ME
Author: Jane Read Martin
ISBN: 0-06-021293-4

by Jane Read Martin & Patricia Marx & illustrated by Roz Chast ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 30, 1993

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Banished to her room for being mean to her little brother at his birthday party (``I touched him hard...[and] called him a dumb head. Which I didn't mean even though it is true''), Patty Jane indulges in a gamut of predictable fantasies—she'll stay there forever; she'll exact revenge, do no chores, but still collect her allowance; she'll run away; etc. Nonetheless, when the door opens 67 minutes later, Patty Jean is available to eat ice cream—with some pride-saving stipulations. Despite the authors' substantial credentials (Saturday Night Live, Woody Allen, The New Yorker, the Harvard Lampoon, etc.), Patty Jane's monologue isn't particularly funny, though it's on target as the ruminations of an older sib in disgrace. The tone is unvaried, the situation isn't developed, and the outcome may most satisfy adults, who will foresee it. Still, entertaining, especially with the help of New Yorker cartoonist Chast's fiendishly adroit pen- and-watercolor illustrations depicting Patty Jane's fantasies in comic detail. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: Sept. 30, 1993

ISBN: 0-06-021293-4

Page Count: 32

Publisher: HarperCollins

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 1993

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

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A DOG NAMED SAM

by Janice Boland & illustrated by G. Brian Karas ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 1, 1996

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A book that will make young dog-owners smile in recognition and confirm dogless readers' worst suspicions about the mayhem caused by pets, even winsome ones. Sam, who bears passing resemblance to an affable golden retriever, is praised for fetching the family newspaper, and goes on to fetch every other newspaper on the block. In the next story, only the children love Sam's swimming; he is yelled at by lifeguards and fishermen alike when he splashes through every watering hole he can find. Finally, there is woe to the entire family when Sam is bored and lonely for one long night. Boland has an essential message, captured in both both story and illustrations of this Easy-to-Read: Kids and dogs belong together, especially when it's a fun-loving canine like Sam. An appealing tale. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: April 1, 1996

ISBN: 0-8037-1530-7

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Dial Books

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1996

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

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THE NAME JAR

by Yangsook Choi & illustrated by Yangsook Choi ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 10, 2001

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Unhei has just left her Korean homeland and come to America with her parents. As she rides the school bus toward her first day of school, she remembers the farewell at the airport in Korea and examines the treasured gift her grandmother gave her: a small red pouch containing a wooden block on which Unhei’s name is carved. Unhei is ashamed when the children on the bus find her name difficult to pronounce and ridicule it. Lesson learned, she declines to tell her name to anyone else and instead offers, “Um, I haven’t picked one yet. But I’ll let you know next week.” Her classmates write suggested names on slips of paper and place them in a jar. One student, Joey, takes a particular liking to Unhei and sees the beauty in her special stamp. When the day arrives for Unhei to announce her chosen name, she discovers how much Joey has helped. Choi (Earthquake, see below, etc.) draws from her own experience, interweaving several issues into this touching account and delicately addressing the challenges of assimilation. The paintings are done in creamy, earth-tone oils and augment the story nicely. (Picture book. 4-8)