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jestrudel's review against another edition
This book was nostalgic for me. In fact, nostalgia was the reason I picked up this book in the first place. Not only did I like the title, cover, and story concept because I too delivered flyers/newspapers as a kid, but I also immediately thought of the old "Paperboy" video game I used to play. The traffic, construction obstacles, dogs running out in front of the MC's bike, etc. Who remembers that video game?
This book was an enjoyable, quiet read. "Quiet" is appropriate given that it starts early in the morning before the sun has even risen. The paperboy and his dog stay side-by-side throughout the book, which adds a nice touch to the story which otherwise might read like an instruction manual for kids thinking they want a paper route. Instead, it's a pleasant read that marries a story about commitment and routine with a story about the relationship between a boy and his dog.
My only criticism of this book is that the opening pages were wordier than necessary. As this is a literary book, I wasn't expecting a fast-paced plot, of course. Rather, I feel an opportunity was missed in giving this book a smooth, steady pace, like a rising and setting sun (as would be appropriate given the topic at hand). The opening pages simply threw off the pace for me.
Overall, I enjoyed the story arc from rising in the morning to returning to bed just as the rest of the world awakens. Now we need the sequel: where the paperboy has to drag himself off to school instead of going back to bed!
This book was an enjoyable, quiet read. "Quiet" is appropriate given that it starts early in the morning before the sun has even risen. The paperboy and his dog stay side-by-side throughout the book, which adds a nice touch to the story which otherwise might read like an instruction manual for kids thinking they want a paper route. Instead, it's a pleasant read that marries a story about commitment and routine with a story about the relationship between a boy and his dog.
My only criticism of this book is that the opening pages were wordier than necessary. As this is a literary book, I wasn't expecting a fast-paced plot, of course. Rather, I feel an opportunity was missed in giving this book a smooth, steady pace, like a rising and setting sun (as would be appropriate given the topic at hand). The opening pages simply threw off the pace for me.
Overall, I enjoyed the story arc from rising in the morning to returning to bed just as the rest of the world awakens. Now we need the sequel: where the paperboy has to drag himself off to school instead of going back to bed!
grllopez's review against another edition
4.0
I just love this story for the artwork of the morning skies. This was the book I borrowed from the library over and over again, so I could read it and reread it to my kids.
samsangre's review against another edition
4.0
Hands down the most beautiful thing I've seen Pilkey make (prolific illustrator before Captain Underpants and Dogman etc). Published in 1996, this scenic, jewel-toned painted book follows a young Black kid and cute dog (corgi!)on a newspaper route before the world and neighborhood wake up. (NOT an #ownvoices book, still a sweet representation nonetheless).
cpaige4's review against another edition
3.0
The Paperboy wakes up before everyone else and rides his bike around town delivering the newspapers before the other townspeople are awake. He shows extreme Responsibility for Self (EL Design Principle) and students will be able to make connections to ways they are responsible; a great intro to making classroom rules.
backonthealex's review against another edition
Every morning, while it is still dark and everyone else in his family is asleep, a young boy and his dog quietly get out of their warm bed, eat some breakfast, then head out to the garage to fold a bunch of newspapers, getting them ready for delivery. Then, the paperboy, with his dog, heads out on his bicycle to deliver the paper to all his customers. The two pals have done their paper route so often, they know it by heart. After delivering his last paper, boy and dog head back home and, yup, you guessed it, right back to bed for a while. Pikey's illustrations, done with acrylics and India ink, really capture the silence and clearness of early morning and you can almost feel the dew forming on the grass. This is a simple, but inspiring story about doing a good job and about the companionship and loyalty of your best canine friend. My brother used to have a paper route, and while it was a nice way to make some extra money, but it's not an easy job. Interestingly no mention is made of the young paperboy's race, other then in the illustrations.
farkle's review against another edition
5.0
Quietly engaging. A reminder of kids' initiative & independence.
calistareads's review against another edition
4.0
This book encourages me to stay in bed. We see that early morning time it’s still dark and the paperboy gets up out of bed and starts work. It looks brutal. He gets home when the sun is coming up and goes back to bed for some ‘z’s.
Dav does a wonderful job at showing what it’s like in the early morning playing with light and shadow and that feeling of the cold and wanting to be in bed. Where I grew up, they had a delivery van that brought the papers to each house. There was no paper boy or girl. I don’t think they have one in Baltimore either. I think this is mostly a bygone era job. Still, it’s nice to see their experience. I also like that the boy’s dog went with him everywhere. It’s good he had a companion in this early morning endeavor. It’s a real job they had. I guess the plus side of it is that you get to see the sun come up each day.
The nephew is up early every morning, so I could see him doing this rather easily when he gets older, if that job existed. He was shocked that the boy got to go do this all on his own. They let him go alone? He wouldn’t want to do something alone like this. He gave this 2 stars. The niece thought this was interesting. She thought it looked lonely also. She gave this 3 stars.
Dav does a wonderful job at showing what it’s like in the early morning playing with light and shadow and that feeling of the cold and wanting to be in bed. Where I grew up, they had a delivery van that brought the papers to each house. There was no paper boy or girl. I don’t think they have one in Baltimore either. I think this is mostly a bygone era job. Still, it’s nice to see their experience. I also like that the boy’s dog went with him everywhere. It’s good he had a companion in this early morning endeavor. It’s a real job they had. I guess the plus side of it is that you get to see the sun come up each day.
The nephew is up early every morning, so I could see him doing this rather easily when he gets older, if that job existed. He was shocked that the boy got to go do this all on his own. They let him go alone? He wouldn’t want to do something alone like this. He gave this 2 stars. The niece thought this was interesting. She thought it looked lonely also. She gave this 3 stars.
wordnerd153's review against another edition
4.0
Very low-key, soothing story about a boy's paper route responsibilities and what the world is like in the early morning before most people are awake.
middle_name_joy's review
4.0
It goes without saying that The Paperboy is my favorite Dav Pilkey book. The illustrations echo The Snowy Day and the plot mirrors Where the Wild Things Are. Literally.
"...and crawls back into bed, which is still warm."
"and into the night of his very own room
where he found his supper waiting for him
and it was still hot."
Nevertheless, I adore the simple story of a boy, a dog, and a paper route. It's from another time, and yet timeless. I don't know one child who delivers newspapers nowadays, in part because paper newspaper is a dying industry--and the world is more dangerous every year. Pilkey captures a moment of innocence in the predawn hours, stillness and safety and escape. This one is a must in my classroom library.
"...and crawls back into bed, which is still warm."
"and into the night of his very own room
where he found his supper waiting for him
and it was still hot."
Nevertheless, I adore the simple story of a boy, a dog, and a paper route. It's from another time, and yet timeless. I don't know one child who delivers newspapers nowadays, in part because paper newspaper is a dying industry--and the world is more dangerous every year. Pilkey captures a moment of innocence in the predawn hours, stillness and safety and escape. This one is a must in my classroom library.