Spinelli, Jerry Books

Maniac Magee

Jerry Spinelli

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• CHILDRENS BOOKS & MUSIC
• Childrens Books
• Language Arts

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 719 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Timeless mix of tall-tale and heart 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I've been passionately in love with this book since the 4th grade. I think it is one of the best children's books ever written, in the many themes it explores.

Heck, you have to give the author credit for writing such an ordinary story in a style usually reserved for legends. For that's what this becomes, an urban legend, a tall tale, of a boy who is simply an ordinary boy. It's real and touching even as it goes over the line to the roll-your-eyes fantastic.

Even as Maniac Magee impresses the locals with his small-time wonders, he is a very real boy with very real emotions. No character in this book is made flat, and everyone is shown in multiple lights.

And yet it still manages to have simple, poignant riding that is easily understood, even if the themes are a little more complex.

One of the greatest books Spinelli has written or will ever write.

Editorial Review:

After his parents die, Jeffrey Lionel Magee's life becomes legendary as he accomplishes athletic feats and other extraordinary exploits that awe his contemporaries. Paperback.

Stargirl (Readers Circle)

Jerry Spinelli

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 888 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

"She was homeschooling gone amok." "She was an alien." "Her parents were circus acrobats." These are only a few of the theories concocted to explain Stargirl Caraway, a new 10th grader at Arizona's Mica Area High School who wears pioneer dresses and kimonos to school, strums a ukulele in the cafeteria, laughs when there are no jokes, and dances when there is no music. The whole school, not exactly a "hotbed of nonconformity," is stunned by her, including our 16-year-old narrator Leo Borlock: "She was elusive. She was today. She was tomorrow. She was the faintest scent of a cactus flower, the flitting shadow of an elf owl."

In time, incredulity gives way to out-and-out adoration as the student body finds itself helpless to resist Stargirl's wide-eyed charm, pure-spirited friendliness, and penchant for celebrating the achievements of others. In the ultimate high school symbol of acceptance, she is even recruited as a cheerleader. Popularity, of course, is a fragile and fleeting state, and bit by bit, Mica sours on their new idol. Why is Stargirl showing up at the funerals of strangers? Worse, why does she cheer for the opposing basketball teams? The growing hostility comes to a head when she is verbally flogged by resentful students on Leo's televised Hot Seat show in an episode that is too terrible to air. While the playful, chin-held-high Stargirl seems impervious to the shunning that ensues, Leo, who is in the throes of first love (and therefore scornfully deemed "Starboy"), is not made of such strong stuff: "I became angry. I resented having to choose. I refused to choose. I imagined my life without her and without them, and I didn't like it either way."

Jerry Spinelli, author of Newbery Medalist Maniac Magee, Newbery Honor Book Wringer, and many other excellent books for teens, elegantly and accurately captures the collective, not-always-pretty emotions of a high school microcosm in which individuality is pitted against conformity. Spinelli's Stargirl is a supernatural teen character--absolutely egoless, altruistic, in touch with life's primitive rhythms, meditative, untouched by popular culture, and supremely self-confident. It is the sensitive Leo whom readers will relate to as he grapples with who she is, who he is, who they are together as Stargirl and Starboy, and indeed, what it means to be a human being on a planet that is rich with wonders. (Ages 10 to 14) --Karin Snelson

Love, Stargirl

Jerry Spinelli

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 40 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Skip the Sequel 2 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

I loved Stargirl, the first book, because it had a point, it taught us something about the way we treat each other, and the way we should treat each other. It challenged us to look beyond appearances and assumptions, to appreciate differences.

Love, Stargirl, has none of that depth. It is about Stargirl pining for her old boyfriend, a boy who really did not treat her well anyway. Yes, she does crazy things in a very Stargirl fashion, yes, she makes new friends, all of them on the fringe in their own way, but the book simply does not touch the reader in the same way as the first book.

Perhaps if, as one other reviewer seems to be, you are in love with Stargirl the character, not Stargirl the message, you will enjoy this book, because that is all it is, Stargirl the character, and her very typical teenage thoughts. However, if, like me, you appreciated the message that the character brought, then you can skip Love, Stargirl, because it's just not there.

Editorial Review:

LOVE, STARGIRL picks up a year after Stargirl ends and reveals the new life of the beloved character who moved away so suddenly at the end of Stargirl. The novel takes the form of "the world's longest letter," in diary form, going from date to date through a little more than a year's time. In her writing, Stargirl mixes memories of her bittersweet time in Mica, Arizona, with involvements with new people in her life.

In Love, Stargirl, we hear the voice of Stargirl herself as she reflects on time, life, Leo, and - of course - love.

Smiles to Go

Jerry Spinelli

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 6 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Smiles To Go 4 out of 5 stars.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful.

After my 4th grade teacher read Maniac Magee aloud to my classmates and me, I remember telling people for years to come that it was my favorite book. It wasn't until I rediscovered it in a `children's literature' class in college that I came to truly appreciate how great the book was and how incredible of a storyteller Jerry Spinelli is. Books like Maniac Magee, Wringer, Loser, and Crash have made him one of the most recognizable names in children's literature, and deservingly so. With his most recent novel, Smiles To Go, Spinelli returns to a format similar to that of his highly popular book Stargirl, to tell a story about science and wonder, friendship and jealousy, and family and love.

Ninth grader Will Tuppence is a (young) man of Science. His world revolves around physics, protons, stargazing, and Monopoly pizza parties. Upon the discovery that protons decay (meaning everything will eventually fade away) Will begins to examine the relationships in his life more carefully, especially those with his younger sister Tabby, and his two best friends BT and Mi Su.

If there's one thing I've learned about Spinelli's books, it's that characters drive his story. It's never the other way around. I can't imagine Spinelli deciding to write a novel about racism in a divided town, or bullying in schools, or the effects of the Holocaust on children, without having his characters in mind long before. With him, it always feels as if so much time was spent "getting into" his characters. Spinelli characters always come first, story second. Smiles To Go, like so many of Spinelli's stories, is essentially a character study. Will is who decides where this story goes and it responds to him.

Words come easy to Spinelli. His writing is so effortless and clear. I once told my 5th graders that Spinelli's books contain "little words and big ideas". This book is no exception. Science terminology aside, this book is very readable, yet there's a LOT going on in young Will's mind. There's jealousy toward his friend BT's cool and carefree attitude, and there's blooming, hormonal love toward Mi Su. Will's anxiety builds throughout the story and his constant planning and often annoying attention to the most minute details, makes him extremely neurotic, but very believable.

So after bragging up Spinelli's writing, I have to be honest. If Will's relationships with his two best friends would have been all this story contained, Smiles To Go would've been your average 3 star, quick read. Will's relationship with his younger nuisance of a sister Tabby, is what really gives this story its wings and allows it to become something more. Tabby is that annoying sister whose purpose on Earth is to bother her brother, or so Will thinks. She saves all the black jelly beans (his favorite) only to toss them in the trash can when he's watching. She interrupts his time with his friends, worships and adores BT (only adding to Will's jealousy), and spills embarrassing family secrets at inopportune times. There's a major age gap between brother and sister and Will chooses to fill that gap with hatred.

When Spinelli brings this relationship to the forefront in a horrible turn of events, which forces Will to examine some of his sister's actions a little more carefully, he learns that maybe he's been in the wrong, in never truly giving his sister a chance. This section of the book is heartbreakingly powerful and when Will, this boy of science and reason, turns to his sister's 6 year old admirer, Korbet, for advice on love and life, we know we're reading something special.

The beginning of this story is very slow and dull, this even coming from an avid Spinelli fan. But if you stick out all the proton and stargazing talk and hang around for the great finale in which Will and his sister Tabby are put under the microscope, you'll be in for a treat, and glad you made the effort. Heck, you may even watch more closely the next time your little sibling tosses your favorite jelly beans in the trash.

Editorial Review:

What is stargazer, skateboarder, chess champ, pepperoni pizza eater, older brother, sister hater, best friend, first kisser, science geek, control freak Will Tuppence so afraid of in this great big universe?

Jerry Spinelli knows.

Loser

Jerry Spinelli

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 193 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Donald Zinkoff is one of the greatest kids you could ever hope to meet. He laughs easily, he likes people, he loves school, he tries to rescue lost girls in blizzards, he talks to old ladies. The only problem is, he's a loser. Until fourth grade, Zinkoff's uncontrollable giggling in class, sloppy handwriting, horrible flute playing, bad grades, clumsiness, and ineptitude at sports go largely unnoticed. When he blows a race for his team, however, his transition to loserdom is complete: "[Loser] is the word. It is Zinkoff's new name. It is not in the roll book." Fortunately, he doesn't really notice. As he did in Stargirl, Newbery Medal-winning author Jerry Spinelli again explores the cruelty of a student body and how it does and doesn't affect one student, pure of spirit. Presumably if Loser makes one child view a "different kid" as a three-dimensional character, Spinelli will consider his book successful.

The author recounts Zinkoff's story--a case study of sorts--in short sentences from a deliberately reportorial point of view, documenting the first years of the boy's life and his evolution into a loser. What makes the book charming and buoyant is that the reader, like Zinkoff's parents and his favorite teacher, appreciates the boy's oblivious joie de vivre and his divine quirks. What is less compelling about the novel is the "let this be a lesson to us" heavy-handedness that accompanies the reportorial approach. Still, Spinelli comes through again with a lively, often moving story with humor and heart to spare. (Ages 8 to 12) --Karin Snelson

Crash

Jerry Spinelli

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 201 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

"Hut, Hut, Hut:" 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful.

I'm thinking of a five-letter word for a good, realistic book, and Crash is the word I'm looking for. It's by Jerry Spinelli, and if you like him, this is probably the best book he's written. Like most books by Spinelli, it's about someone different, but understands a precious lesson to be learned. In this case, the different person is Penn Webb. Penn is a vegetarian, a Quaker (doesn't like war), a cheerleader, believes he is rich (even though he lives in a small house with little furniture) and was named after the famous track meet that his great-grandfather ran in, the Penn Relays. These are some of the reasons he is considered different. He is slow to learn, maybe not in math or science, but in the way things work, like when he wondered why people kept pinching him, until he finally finds out that there was a "pinch me" sign on his back. The only close to normal thing that Penn does is run.
Crash and his friend Mike like bullying Penn. They never get caught and Penn never realizes who is doing it. But one day, when Crash gets a hold of Penn's writing assignment that talks about how he wants to run in the Penn Relays so his great- grandfather can watch, he realizes that Penn is rich. Penn has happiness despite all his differences. So when the seventh graders race for a spot to run in the Penn Relays, Crash lets Penn win.
I liked this book because it shows many important lessons to be learned. I believe that it demonstrates that most people have lost the ability to be themselves, and when someone has that ability, they are considered "different". The author made every page so descriptive that you couldn't stop turning the pages until you were done with it. And if you like a funny, great book,one with a strong meaning, this will be the best book you have ever read.

Editorial Review:

Now available in paperback, Newbery Medalist Jerry Spinelli's hilarious, poignant story of  cocky seventh-grade superjock Crash Coogan.  


From the Trade Paperback edition.

Milkweed (Readers Circle)

Jerry Spinelli

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 90 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Newbery Medal-winning author Jerry Spinelli (Maniac McGee, Stargirl) paints a vivid picture of the streets of the Nazi-occupied Warsaw during World War II, as seen through the eyes of a curious, kind, heartbreakingly naïve orphan with many names. His name is Stopthief when people shout "Stop! Thief!" as he flees with stolen bread. Or it's Jew, "filthy son of Abraham," depending on who's talking to him. Or, maybe he's a Gypsy, because his eyes are black, his skin is dark, and he wears a mysterious yellow stone around his neck. His new friend and protector Uri forces him to take the name Misha Pilsudski and to memorize a made-up story about his Gypsy background so that no one will mistake him for a Jew and kill him. Misha, a very young boy, is slow to understand what's happening around him. When he sees people running, he thinks it's a race. Nazis (Jackboots, as the children call them) marching through the streets appear to him as a delightful parade of magnificent boots. He wants to be a Jackboot! (Uri smacks him for saying this.) He compares bombs to sauerkraut kettles, machine guns to praying mantises, and tanks to "colossal gray long-snouted beetles." The story of Misha and his band of orphans trying to survive on their own would have a deliciously Dickensian quality, if it weren't for the devastation around them--people hurrying to dig trenches to stop Nazi tanks, shops exploding in flames, the wailing of sirens, buzzing airplanes, bombs, and human torture. Spinelli has written a powerfully moving story of survival--readers will love Misha the dreamer and his wonderfully poetic observations of the world around him, his instinct to befriend a Jewish girl and her family, his impulse to steal food for a local orphanage and his friends in the ghetto, and his ability to delight in small things even surrounded by the horror of the Holocaust. A remarkable achievement. (Ages 11 and older) --Karin Snelson

Eggs

Jerry Spinelli

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 18 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Eggs from an Educator 3 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

Eggs was my first Jerry Spinelli read, which is rather surprising considering two key points: (1) I am an avid reader and (2) I teach elementary school. Overall, I loved the characterization and detail Spinelli exercised throughout the storyline. I found pleasure and comfort in becoming familiar with the two main characters, David (age 7) and Primrose (age 13). However, at times these characters were difficult to be fond of considering their negative outlooks on life. As an educator, I read children's literature with the intent to use it in my classroom someday for a specific purpose. During most of this book I felt as if I was grasping for a reason to continue the read. With much afterthought I have compiled a list of ways Eggs would engage my students and thus reasons for teachers to use this book in their classrooms (see below). Even though I enjoyed Eggs, I am leery to recommend it for the general population. It is deep with symbolism and situations that would be hard for some students to understand and relate, such as death, psychics, children living alone, isolation of family members, children sneaking out at night, running away from home, etc. Amazon.com does not suggest the targeted grade level for this book, probably due specifically to its content. From my best estimate, the book reads at around a 3rd grade level, but deals with concepts more appropriate for 4th or 5th grade. I would not hesitate to use this book in the middle school grades, as it seems much more appropriate for their psychological development stages. Eggs does not have a "happily ever after" type conclusion, which would definitely appeal to some students. Being new to Jerry Spinelli works, Eggs has ignited my curiosity about his other books. Regretfully, I hope they are more age appropriate for my P-3 classrooms.
Reasons to Read Eggs
* The main characters ages make this book interesting for 2nd and 3rd grade students. Plus, the main characters have major attitude problems that would be funny to most elementary schoolers.
* The plot deals with life circumstances that might relate to students, specifically the death of a parent. Plus, the closure that comes after sharing your concerns with others who care.
* The main characters have exciting midnight adventures, where they often get into sticky situations.
* The younger male character befriends the older female character, yet their friendship is often on "love/hate" terms.
* The main characters work for what they want together. They are diligent about making money. Sadly, they are also diligent about spending and not saving.
* A bullying aspect is present and could be capitalized on by teachers.
* A focus on coping with life's struggles and acceptance of the way things change over time.
* An appreciation for those who are different.

Editorial Review:

Eggs is a quirky and moving novel about two very complicated, damaged children. David has recently lost his mother to a freak accident, his salesman father is constantly on the road, and he is letting his anger out on his grandmother. Primrose lives with her unstable, childlike, fortuneteller mother, and the only evidence of the father she never knew is a framed picture. Despite their age difference (David is 9, Primrose is 13), they forge a tight yet tumultuous friendship, eventually helping each other deal with what is missing in their lives.

Fourth Grade Rats (Apple Paperbacks)

Jerry Spinelli

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 15 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Major Life Lesson, Beautifully Told 5 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

Jerry Spinelli unfolds a basic story and sprinkles humor, love, detail, and a major life lesson. Fourth Grade Rats is a book about a ten-year-old named Suds who is in fourth grade. According to the rhyme, "First grade babies, second grade cats, third grade angels, fourth grade rats", he is now supposed to be a rat. However, it isn't like him that he should steal first and second graders Twinkies, throw them off the swings, say "no" to his mom, and mess up his room, but his best friend, Joey Peterson, thinks otherwise. He tells him to get rid of his flying elephant lunchbox, eat bologna sandwiches instead of peanut butter and jelly, and to steal Twinkies and kick little kids off swings. His love, Judy Billings, goes after Joey when a bee lands on his arm and stings him--and he doesn't even cry. The major life lesson is don't let anybody pressure you into doing anything you don't want to do. I loved this book because of its major life lesson, and its detail. I would recommend this book to anybody and everybody.

Editorial Review:

Fourth graders are tough. They aren't afraid of spiders. They say no to their moms. They push first graders off the swings. And they never, ever cry.
Suds knows that now that he's in fourth grade, he's supposed to be a rat. But whenever he tries to act like one, something goes wrong. Can Suds's friend Joey teach him to toughen up...or will Suds remain a fourth grade wimp?

Report To The Principal's Office! (School Daze Series)

Jerry Spinelli

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 21 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Marley's Review 3 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This story is about 4 kids. One girl named Sunny (she's trying to get expelled). Another girl is named Salem (she's trying to write a good story). One boy named Eddie (he's just trying to avoid 8th graders). And another boy named Pickles (he's an inventor). The 4 kids end up going to a school called Plumstead Middle School, where they have many adventures.
When you read Report to the Principal's Office you'll laugh the whole time. Kids ages 8 - 11 will have laugh attacks, I know I did. The book may be a little hard to follow, since there are four leading characters. The beginning started slow, but the middle made up for it. He introduced the characters well, and what their goals are. I recommend this book because it's a good book, it's funny, nice descriptions, and it kind of seems like two of the characters (Eddie and Salem) have a little romance (I wouldn't call it a romance novel though). I would compare this book to... nothing, because it's unique, different, and I doubt you'll read anything like it. 3 out of 5 stars.

Editorial Review:

While Sunny is determined to hate everyone at Plumstead Middle School, Eddie hopes simply to survive, Salem tries her hand at writing, and Pickles acts like . . . well, like Pickles.