Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
Love the juxtaposition of a problem novel with a sports novel, also builds on the heritage of great books like Marry Poppins.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
I know Gary Schmidt's writing to be emotionally honest, if blunt, which is why I keep an eye out for his books. With Carter Jones, Schmidt returns to middle-school aged kids, placing a current experience -- a father away on deployment -- with the charm of an old-fashioned nanny-tale. Combining sports and friendship and mentorship, this story creates a new narrative around what it means to be a gentleman, and gives an incredible example of how we as society can model positive masculinity.
I know Gary Schmidt's writing to be emotionally honest, if blunt, which is why I keep an eye out for his books. With Carter Jones, Schmidt returns to middle-school aged kids, placing a current experience -- a father away on deployment -- with the charm of an old-fashioned nanny-tale. Combining sports and friendship and mentorship, this story creates a new narrative around what it means to be a gentleman, and gives an incredible example of how we as society can model positive masculinity.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Too much sportsball for my liking, but I can appreciate that others would appreciate the amount of sportsball included, and that it is a unique (at least for US readers) sportsball to include in a middle grade novel.
I also know Mr. Bowles-Fitzpatrick would hate that run on sentence, so it stays.
I also know Mr. Bowles-Fitzpatrick would hate that run on sentence, so it stays.
This was cute with an undertone of heavy. I’m not going to say that I didn’t enjoy the cricket, because it was interesting, but I will say that I’m perplexed as to why it was chosen to be highlighted in this way. The Butler is a great almost Mary Poppins style character but he seemed overly stereotypical. I mean we live in the 21st century and he’s still saying a lady can’t walk the dog and acting like pizza is a new invention (and a crime against food).
Such a good story with a terrific extended metaphor using cricket. I love how the author had recurring motifs (like the Australian tropical thunderstorm) and used the Butler as a foil for Carter’s father to help Carter transition into young adulthood. This is beautifully told and one I will be putting in my school library as Carter and his family are overcomers and survivors of trauma like so many of my students.
Very endearing story about a boy and his family bequeathed a butler. Little bit of a modern-day Mary Poppins feel. A few difficult themes: cricket (ugh), abandonment, death, loss, grief. Good themes about manner, remembering one’s worth and integrity, loving siblings and doing the right thing. I could take/leave the cricket stuff, but seemed true to the butler’s character.
I really like Gary Schmidt and wanted to love this book, but it just wasn't my favorite. It was like a slightly more serious/complicated version of Mary Poppins with a butler as the MP stand-in offering advice and guidance about the world using the game of cricket as a life metaphor. For me, there was too much cricket and ridiculousness (who lets a 12 year old drive a Bentley in an area filled with people when there are other children in the car???) to ever really get into the story.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
While I now have a strong urge to tell my children on a daily basis "Make good decisions and remember who you are," I was disappointed overall. And apparently there is now a sport I detest reading about more than football, so there's that...