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cathyatratedreads's review against another edition
3.0
Cute little book about how hard it is to be in fourth grade and about navigating the tricky waters of boy-girl relationships at that age. 7- to 9-year-olds should enjoy and appreciate this witty look at life-- school, friendships and family.
sara_hudson's review against another edition
4.0
I do NOT like the typical boys vs. girls trope, and this book is - blessedly - not that. This story starts with a long term boy/girl friendship and investigates what happens next, with a deft touch and humor. The illustrations add to the fun.
Yee avoids some other tropes, too. The former football player stay at home dad is perfectly fine with his son the artist. The cool teacher screws up from time to time. The little sister is both pesty and endearing in equal measure.
The humor is what really sets this book apart. It weaves throughout - sometimes with guffaws and sometimes with giggles. Love the ancient crossing guard that the kids help across the street. When Bobby realizes his giant dad is following him on his maiden voyage walking to school alone (trying to hide in the shurbs), the crossing guard comments, "Aw, don't fret. On the first day of school, the plants are chock-full of parents."
Yee avoids some other tropes, too. The former football player stay at home dad is perfectly fine with his son the artist. The cool teacher screws up from time to time. The little sister is both pesty and endearing in equal measure.
The humor is what really sets this book apart. It weaves throughout - sometimes with guffaws and sometimes with giggles. Love the ancient crossing guard that the kids help across the street. When Bobby realizes his giant dad is following him on his maiden voyage walking to school alone (trying to hide in the shurbs), the crossing guard comments, "Aw, don't fret. On the first day of school, the plants are chock-full of parents."
ikuo1000's review against another edition
4.0
I came across this book while volunteering in my kids' elementary school library. In the cover illustration, Bobby looked like maybe he could be Asian, and with the author's name being Lisa Yee, I decided to check it out for myself. I'm always interested in multicultural books for kids!
It took a while for Bobby's character to be fleshed out. His age (9) was not revealed until page 16, and even though we learn right away that his last name is Ellis-Chan, we don't find out for sure until page 49 that he is half Chinese. It really wasn't clear to me which parent was Chinese (it doesn't actually matter!), but I finally decided it was the mom, based on the illustration on page 164.
It's worth noting that there is zero reference to Chinese language or culture in this book, and I think that's fine. While books like those by Grace Lin, Lenore Look, and Andrea Cheng really embrace Chinese-American-ness, I think there's also a valid and important place for books in which characters just happen to be Chinese-American, and their Chinese-American-ness doesn't need to be front and center.
Besides Bobby's ethnicity, this book also embraces diversity in other ways. Mr. Ellis-Chan is a stay-at-home dad (whose former career as an NFL player is a bit over the top), and one of Bobby's friends is Indian. Also, Bobby has environmental allergies and asthma.
I really liked Bobby. He has heart and compassion. He's thoughtful and well-intentioned. He's just a real good kid.
Mostly, I like this book because it is a growing-up book about a boy suitable for lower to middle elementary grades. Children's literature is awash with growing-up stories featuring girls (e.g., Ramona Quimby, Betsy-Tacy, Little House, etc.), but there are fewer similarly themed chapter books with pictures that feature boys. So far, I've really only found Henry Huggins and Alvin Ho to be comparable. There is a sequel to this book, and I'm hoping I will like it just as much as this one.
Still, I'm giving this book 4 stars, instead of 5, for a couple reasons. First, the book is clearly set in modern times, yet, even while trying to buck old-fashioned narrow-mindedness, it seems to reinforce it. For example, it's great that Bobby's dad is an active member of the PTA, but would modern-day PTA members really even use the term "PTA Lady"?
Also, I love the way Bobby and Holly worked out their friendship, but I wish the book had further addressed Holly's friendship with Jillian Zarr. It's understandable that Holly would want some female friends with shared interests, but Jillian Zarr was downright mean and snooty. I sort of hoped she would get some sort of comeuppance.
I read this book aloud to my 3rd grade daughter and 1st grade son, and they both really enjoyed it!
It took a while for Bobby's character to be fleshed out. His age (9) was not revealed until page 16, and even though we learn right away that his last name is Ellis-Chan, we don't find out for sure until page 49 that he is half Chinese. It really wasn't clear to me which parent was Chinese (it doesn't actually matter!), but I finally decided it was the mom, based on the illustration on page 164.
It's worth noting that there is zero reference to Chinese language or culture in this book, and I think that's fine. While books like those by Grace Lin, Lenore Look, and Andrea Cheng really embrace Chinese-American-ness, I think there's also a valid and important place for books in which characters just happen to be Chinese-American, and their Chinese-American-ness doesn't need to be front and center.
Besides Bobby's ethnicity, this book also embraces diversity in other ways. Mr. Ellis-Chan is a stay-at-home dad (whose former career as an NFL player is a bit over the top), and one of Bobby's friends is Indian. Also, Bobby has environmental allergies and asthma.
I really liked Bobby. He has heart and compassion. He's thoughtful and well-intentioned. He's just a real good kid.
Mostly, I like this book because it is a growing-up book about a boy suitable for lower to middle elementary grades. Children's literature is awash with growing-up stories featuring girls (e.g., Ramona Quimby, Betsy-Tacy, Little House, etc.), but there are fewer similarly themed chapter books with pictures that feature boys. So far, I've really only found Henry Huggins and Alvin Ho to be comparable. There is a sequel to this book, and I'm hoping I will like it just as much as this one.
Still, I'm giving this book 4 stars, instead of 5, for a couple reasons. First, the book is clearly set in modern times, yet, even while trying to buck old-fashioned narrow-mindedness, it seems to reinforce it. For example, it's great that Bobby's dad is an active member of the PTA, but would modern-day PTA members really even use the term "PTA Lady"?
Also, I love the way Bobby and Holly worked out their friendship, but I wish the book had further addressed Holly's friendship with Jillian Zarr. It's understandable that Holly would want some female friends with shared interests, but Jillian Zarr was downright mean and snooty. I sort of hoped she would get some sort of comeuppance.
I read this book aloud to my 3rd grade daughter and 1st grade son, and they both really enjoyed it!
readingthroughtheages's review against another edition
4.0
Loved meeting Bobby! The characters will feel like old friends to the reader and they'll love the realistic storyline.
abigailbat's review against another edition
5.0
Bobby and Holly have been secret best friends since they were little kids. It's a secret because at their elementary school, boys and girls do not hang out together. But things start to change when they enter the fourth grade. Holly starts trying out some girly things and Bobby feels a bit left behind. And then Bobby accidentally starts a battle of the sexes.
Move over, Andrew Clements. This story of boys and girls and friendships and school is pitch perfect. The supporting characters are diverse and well-developed. I felt like I could see the story unfolding before my eyes. I'd definitely hand this to fans of Andrew Clements and others in that vein.
Read more at my blog: http://abbylibrarian.blogspot.com/2009/10/bobby-vs-girls-and-umbrella-summer.html
Move over, Andrew Clements. This story of boys and girls and friendships and school is pitch perfect. The supporting characters are diverse and well-developed. I felt like I could see the story unfolding before my eyes. I'd definitely hand this to fans of Andrew Clements and others in that vein.
Read more at my blog: http://abbylibrarian.blogspot.com/2009/10/bobby-vs-girls-and-umbrella-summer.html
caryleliza's review against another edition
4.0
I love Lisa Yee. She really knows kids. My Kids Book Club enjoyed this one, and they are all looking forward to reading Bobby the Brave.
ki4eva's review against another edition
3.0
Cute book and a quick read. Perfect for elementary school kids.