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brendalovesbooks's review against another edition
2.0
This wasn't horrible, I just didn't feel like there was much there. I guess it is meant for very young children, or very early readers. Ones who need something super straightforward and easy. It just would have been nice to have a little detail.
hayley_af's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? No
My 10 year old read it to me as part of his school. He liked it. We've read other books by this author, and this one isn't as long or challenging (in content) as others. It's an easier read that would be good to read alongside or in-between tougher books.
davygibbs's review against another edition
4.0
A solid and spare (and somewhat gothically illustrated) children's story that reads like a Raymond Carver short story. It feels true and the pay-off at the end feels genuine. It concerns a boy who works out his inner turmoil over his family's recent move by creating a garden mural in an abandoned chalk factory behind his house. What really gives the book its refreshing uniqueness is the bleak, unpatronizing language (though there are a few unfortunate exclamation points) and the fact that the cause for Gregory's eventual triumph was a private creation, never meant for exhibition. This absence of competitiveness links the story in my mind to Gary Paulsen's wonderful novel, The Island, and sets it apart from the masses.
katy82's review against another edition
4.0
Another childhood favoraite that I am reading again with my daughter. Its one of the easy to read, yet well written stories out there. Gegory, a troubled young boy finds solace in an old burned out chalk factory behind his house where he can spend hours drawing a whole new world for himself.
blacksheepdigitalva's review against another edition
3.0
I remembered I read this in 3rd grade. I don't remember a lot about the book, just that I liked it and it kept me interested.
mckenzierichardson's review against another edition
5.0
I picked this up from the Little Free Lending Library, thinking it would be a quick and easy read to check out. I was surprised by how much I actually liked it. I really enjoyed this book. It was very simple, but full of heart.
The story itself was very creative. I love the idea of a chalkboard room.
I sat down to read it and finished the whole thing without getting up. It is pretty short, but it really hooked me from page one.
A great book for young readers. It is easy to identify with Gregory in terms of the struggles of making friends, adjusting to a new house and school, and trying to get your family's attention.
Phenomenal book.
The story itself was very creative. I love the idea of a chalkboard room.
I sat down to read it and finished the whole thing without getting up. It is pretty short, but it really hooked me from page one.
A great book for young readers. It is easy to identify with Gregory in terms of the struggles of making friends, adjusting to a new house and school, and trying to get your family's attention.
Phenomenal book.
caysie's review against another edition
my mom bought me this book when I was in 2nd grade because she liked the illustrations (by Thomas B. Allen). I really did love the page where his "garden" is shown. :)
kellbellhells's review against another edition
3.0
Read this for work. Short and simple, but very sweet.
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