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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
This goes to my list of 'one of the most beautiful and sensitive books I have read till date.' I want every child and every grown up to read this book. The book contains a much needed message of loving a child for who s/he is and not for what what s/he has achieved. Math and reading do not come easily to 10 year old Albie so the expensive private school that his parents struggled to get him in kicked him out. Albie goes to a new school where the 'cool' kids call him retard and dummy. It hurts him, but he rolls the word dummy in his head again and again till the word softens around the edges a bit and does not quite hurt him as much anymore. Lisa Graff tells a sensitive story of thoughtful, kind and caring child Albie who almost succeeds in different aspects in life but doesn't quite make it. He, however, learns this important lesson from his math club teacher that in order to move on in life he has to remember 'you can't get where you are going without being where you've been.' Albie, in an introspective and innovative way comes to terms with his triumphs and failures with some help from his babysitter Calista and his mom and dad, who may not understand him always yet they try their best to care for Albie in the best way they can.
I loved reading this book so much.
I loved reading this book so much.
This one really called to me to be read aloud. Albie won a piece of my heart. I will definitely read this aloud to my education students---so much here about how it feels to be a kid who struggles in school and life. Poignant read.
What an amazing book! I feel in love with Albie and Calista. I think this is a book that everyone should read!
Honest and funny, Lisa Graff's newest book had me cheering for the main character, Albie, by the first chapter. Struggling at school, teased by bullies, pressured by his parents, Albie has a lot going on in his life, and how he handles it all makes him all the more endearing. By the end, my husband and I (we read it during a road trip), were clamoring for Team Albie t-shirts. A lot of kids (and their parents, teachers, and librarians) are going to love this one.
Sweet story about a boy with learning issues. Life can be pretty brutal at times (there is a bully at school who is merciless) but Albie also has some wonderful people in his life to support and love him. Excellent middle grade read.
Warning: this book will give you cravings for donuts! Stay strong!
Warning: this book will give you cravings for donuts! Stay strong!
When Albie's mother is at home for bedtime she always tucks him in (although he knows he's technically too old for that), kisses him and says:
His mother's description is the perfect summary of Albie's personality. He has a lovely innocence to him, an open and loving heart. This very willingness to believe the best of everyone also makes Albie vulnerable to teasing and bullying and being hurt by others.
Absolutely Almost is the story of Albie. Albie lives in New York with his parents and is going into the 5th grade in a new school. As the story begins, we overhear Albie's grandfather telling his mother: "Not everybody can be the rock at the top of the pile....There have to be some rocks on the bottom, to support those on the top." Albie is starting a new school because after receiving a letter from the private school he was attending his parents told him he would now go to PS 183.
Albie tells us: "My whole life, I've always been an almost." He struggles to make change for the Chinese Take-out Delivery, he can't seem to get more than 4 out of 10 words correct on his spelling tests and his mother tells him the Captain Underpants books he's reading--and enjoying!--are for babies. Then a new after-school (not) babysitter named Calista arrives and seems to understand Albie. She helps both create and see clearly the wondrous moments and abilities he already has.
When his best friend moves and a boy Albie thought was his friend begins to call him names and harass him at school Albie is overwhelmed. A kind teacher coaxes Albie into telling him what is going on. After his conversation with the teacher Albie ponders what his teacher has told him, weighing that against how he feels.
Albie's story is our story. He wants to feel special and successful, to feel he belongs and to have his parents proud of him. Like us he has moments of triumph and moments of pain. With the help and love of his parents, Calista and many other new friends Albie makes progress in his studies at school and is beginning to form an identity for himself of which he can be proud.
The way in which Albie navigates his bully situation is admirable and genuine. Those who have been victims of bullying will easily recognize the mixed feelings of guilt and fear that go along with those ordeals. But Albie also models a growing insight into his own worth--which is the key to surviving and even thriving despite the cruelty of others.
This is a great read-aloud for a middle to upper elementary classroom or as an independent reading choice. The structure of the book lends itself to avid and reluctant readers alike because the chapters are short and read quickly. I zoomed through the book in two days--often losing track of time. My only complaint about Absolutely Almost is that I felt the ending too abrupt. I finished reading a page, turned it and discovered that was the last page in the story! I was therefore left vaguely dissatisfied after a spectacular reading experience up to that point. Albie's light, though, continues to shine for me, even after I finished Absolutely Almost.
"I love you Albie."
"You do?"
"Yep. You are caring and thoughtful and kind."
His mother's description is the perfect summary of Albie's personality. He has a lovely innocence to him, an open and loving heart. This very willingness to believe the best of everyone also makes Albie vulnerable to teasing and bullying and being hurt by others.
Absolutely Almost is the story of Albie. Albie lives in New York with his parents and is going into the 5th grade in a new school. As the story begins, we overhear Albie's grandfather telling his mother: "Not everybody can be the rock at the top of the pile....There have to be some rocks on the bottom, to support those on the top." Albie is starting a new school because after receiving a letter from the private school he was attending his parents told him he would now go to PS 183.
Albie tells us: "My whole life, I've always been an almost." He struggles to make change for the Chinese Take-out Delivery, he can't seem to get more than 4 out of 10 words correct on his spelling tests and his mother tells him the Captain Underpants books he's reading--and enjoying!--are for babies. Then a new after-school (not) babysitter named Calista arrives and seems to understand Albie. She helps both create and see clearly the wondrous moments and abilities he already has.
When his best friend moves and a boy Albie thought was his friend begins to call him names and harass him at school Albie is overwhelmed. A kind teacher coaxes Albie into telling him what is going on. After his conversation with the teacher Albie ponders what his teacher has told him, weighing that against how he feels.
On my way back to class, I thought about what Mr. Clifton said. I wasn't sure he was right, that I got to decide what words hurt me. Because some words just hurt.
It did hurt when I said it in my head, no matter what Mr. Clifton had told me. That word dummy poked me in the brain, in the stomach, in the chest, every time I heard it.
Dummy.
Albie's story is our story. He wants to feel special and successful, to feel he belongs and to have his parents proud of him. Like us he has moments of triumph and moments of pain. With the help and love of his parents, Calista and many other new friends Albie makes progress in his studies at school and is beginning to form an identity for himself of which he can be proud.
...I knew what Dad would probably say if he saw it, that even if a B was almost an A, that almost wasn't good enough.
But I knew something else too.
You couldn't get where you were going without knowing where you'd been.
And you couldn't be anywhere at all without having been almost there for a while.
The way in which Albie navigates his bully situation is admirable and genuine. Those who have been victims of bullying will easily recognize the mixed feelings of guilt and fear that go along with those ordeals. But Albie also models a growing insight into his own worth--which is the key to surviving and even thriving despite the cruelty of others.
This is a great read-aloud for a middle to upper elementary classroom or as an independent reading choice. The structure of the book lends itself to avid and reluctant readers alike because the chapters are short and read quickly. I zoomed through the book in two days--often losing track of time. My only complaint about Absolutely Almost is that I felt the ending too abrupt. I finished reading a page, turned it and discovered that was the last page in the story! I was therefore left vaguely dissatisfied after a spectacular reading experience up to that point. Albie's light, though, continues to shine for me, even after I finished Absolutely Almost.
I absolutely loved Absolutely Almost by Lisa Graff! I loved the main character, Albie, who is a little slower than some other kids his age when it comes to academics, and is a bit more innocent about the world around him, but is also a kid with a big heart. Albie's story helps us to understand the plight of the underdog..., and even if we can't relate to Albie's exact situation, we can all think of times when we have felt like he feels. This book was funny, yet honest,... Touching, but not cloying. The pacing of the plot line, the often short but poignant chapters, and Albie's authentic voice make this a book you want to keep reading and not put down. I read this aloud to a group of fifth grade gifted/talented students and they loved it. They immediately wanted to know if there would be a sequel! Great read!
Everybody needs a Calista in their life. Someone who sees them for who they are and can name their superpower.
A book about the watchers...the one beat behinders... And their champions.
I wish I had moved this one up on my reading list much, much sooner. It had been sitting patiently in my leaning tower of TBR for at least six months. I had no idea. Please excuse me, Lisa Graff.
Absolutely Almost is the story of navigating a road that is completely unchartered (parents, school, friends) for Albie and his inner circle. It's a love letter to NYC. It's a tale about bullying, listening to your heart and recognizing the important role that we all play in each other's lives. This is a story ripe with mentor passages waiting to be read aloud. I know. I read "The thing about New York City" chapter aloud to tempt my readers to read the book and to show the clever use of repetition.
Highly recommended.
Absolutely Almost is the story of navigating a road that is completely unchartered (parents, school, friends) for Albie and his inner circle. It's a love letter to NYC. It's a tale about bullying, listening to your heart and recognizing the important role that we all play in each other's lives. This is a story ripe with mentor passages waiting to be read aloud. I know. I read "The thing about New York City" chapter aloud to tempt my readers to read the book and to show the clever use of repetition.
Highly recommended.