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tcbueti's review against another edition
4.0
Charming rhythm gets the flavor of life in India.
A young girl uses the power of public opinion and common sense to get permission for a retired teacher to continue sharing free books on her corner. Inspired by a folktale the Book Uncle gives her, Yasmin organizes her friends and neighbors write letters to the local candidates to protect their longtime friend and teacher. (Since he's not selling anything, he doesn't need a commercial permit, right? And the hotel owner doesn't have the right to get rid of him (declutter" the sidewalk) for his daughter's upcoming wedding.)
Friendship, getting to know people, and power in numbers are all here.
A young girl uses the power of public opinion and common sense to get permission for a retired teacher to continue sharing free books on her corner. Inspired by a folktale the Book Uncle gives her, Yasmin organizes her friends and neighbors write letters to the local candidates to protect their longtime friend and teacher. (Since he's not selling anything, he doesn't need a commercial permit, right? And the hotel owner doesn't have the right to get rid of him (declutter" the sidewalk) for his daughter's upcoming wedding.)
Friendship, getting to know people, and power in numbers are all here.
needlesnbooks's review against another edition
3.0
This was a cute and inspiring book about a young girl wanting to save her local free library. It deals a lot with the idea of elections and voting and contacting your representatives to have your voice heard. It was nice to see a young girl achieve something so big as saving her free library saved by book uncle. The writing was very appropriate for younger ages (I would say like 5-8, any older and it might seem too childish to read for some.) It got three stars from me, because the writing was a bit too juvenile for me, and my ratings are extremely subjective as to whether or not I like the book. So it was fine from a personal POV, but would be great for kids!
lauralynnwalsh's review against another edition
3.0
This is a nice story about a child taking steps to influence people's minds. I also like that it shows that sometimes there are unintentional consequences of something we do - the original letter, in this case.
camillejoy's review against another edition
5.0
Yasmin’s plan to read a book a day is in danger when her beloved Book Uncle— who lends books from a corner stand and always finds “the right book for the right person on the right day”— gets a notice telling him he’ll need an expensive permit to continue his lending library. Yasmin and her community band together to make Book Uncle’s predicament an issue in the upcoming mayoral election. An empowering story that shows the power of grass roots organizing, and the difference even a child can make in their community when they bring people together behind a cause they care about.
jennybeastie's review against another edition
4.0
While I love that this story captures day-to-day life of school kids in India, I find it a bit hard to follow. Both the main character and the plot zig-zig-zag all over the place before finally settling in. It adds to the the atmosphere, but not to the understanding.
A second reading, a second feeling about it. I really appreciate the direct action Yasmin takes to improve her community. I like the subject of elections and amplifying your voice to have your issues heard. Good read!
A second reading, a second feeling about it. I really appreciate the direct action Yasmin takes to improve her community. I like the subject of elections and amplifying your voice to have your issues heard. Good read!
backonthealex's review against another edition
4.0
Yasmin, 9, loves to read and her goal is to read a book a day forever. So far, she has read over 400 hundred books. Everyday after school, Yasmin visits Book Uncle, a retired teacher and widower, who runs a free lending library near her apartment. Book Uncle's motto is "Right Book for the right person for the right day," but when he gives Yasmin two books one day, she is a little taken aback. One is an old Indian story, too easy for her. But he insists, and it is a story the she finds herself pondering all weekend long, and even in class Monday, to the annoyance of her teacher, Mrs. Rao.
Later, when Yasmin returns her book, she finds a very unhappy Book Uncle. His books still in their boxes, and holding a summons, Book Uncle has been told by the mayor that he must get a permit which he cannot afford in order to continue his free lending library.
At the same time, Yasmin discovers there is to be an election soon to elect a new mayor. Yasmin's friend Anil is rooting for Karate Samuel, a popular action movie actor, to win, but his is running against the current mayor, S.L. Yogaraja, or Mayor SLY for short, who seems to be the front runner.
Not willing to lose Book Uncle, Yasmin begins a grassroots movement to save his library, enlisting the help of friends, neighbors and her schoolmates, and finally getting a campaign promise from Karate Samuel that he will support Book Uncle. And it doesn't hurt that Yasmin and her fellow activists discover the real reason the the Mayor SLY issued the summons to get rid of Book Uncle.
Is it too late to help Book Uncle and save the Free Lending Library? Or can a grassroots movement begun by a 9 year-old girl really make a difference?
Book Uncle and Me is an absolutely charming story about a book worm turned activist. Yasmin is an chatty, energetic, sometimes sassy, other times caring and considerate character, a protagonist that readers will certainly be able to relate to. I loved seeing her struggle to find the meaning to the old Indian story Book Uncle gave her to read, and how she is eventually able to relate it to her attempts to save the library. And I think her dedication to the cause will serve as inspiration for young readers who may feel they can't make a difference.
Yasmin's story is also a nice slice of life story. Shopping with her mother, and a visit from her overbearing uncle are not really necessary to the fight to help Book Uncle, but at a nice dimension to the story. And along the way, readers are introduced to some wonderful Indian elements of Yasmin's everyday life, from her flip-floppy chappals to her neighbor who plays a a traditional Indian ghatam, a musical clay pot, to favorite Indian foods like coconut puttu, and the wonderful istri lady"who does peoples ironing for them (istri describe the flat iron she uses for ironing).
Book Uncle and Me is a book I highly recommend, with themes perfect for young readers - friendship, community, family and making a difference.
This book is recommended for readers age 7+
This book was borrowed from the NYPL
This review was originally posted on Randomly Reading
Later, when Yasmin returns her book, she finds a very unhappy Book Uncle. His books still in their boxes, and holding a summons, Book Uncle has been told by the mayor that he must get a permit which he cannot afford in order to continue his free lending library.
At the same time, Yasmin discovers there is to be an election soon to elect a new mayor. Yasmin's friend Anil is rooting for Karate Samuel, a popular action movie actor, to win, but his is running against the current mayor, S.L. Yogaraja, or Mayor SLY for short, who seems to be the front runner.
Not willing to lose Book Uncle, Yasmin begins a grassroots movement to save his library, enlisting the help of friends, neighbors and her schoolmates, and finally getting a campaign promise from Karate Samuel that he will support Book Uncle. And it doesn't hurt that Yasmin and her fellow activists discover the real reason the the Mayor SLY issued the summons to get rid of Book Uncle.
Is it too late to help Book Uncle and save the Free Lending Library? Or can a grassroots movement begun by a 9 year-old girl really make a difference?
Book Uncle and Me is an absolutely charming story about a book worm turned activist. Yasmin is an chatty, energetic, sometimes sassy, other times caring and considerate character, a protagonist that readers will certainly be able to relate to. I loved seeing her struggle to find the meaning to the old Indian story Book Uncle gave her to read, and how she is eventually able to relate it to her attempts to save the library. And I think her dedication to the cause will serve as inspiration for young readers who may feel they can't make a difference.
Yasmin's story is also a nice slice of life story. Shopping with her mother, and a visit from her overbearing uncle are not really necessary to the fight to help Book Uncle, but at a nice dimension to the story. And along the way, readers are introduced to some wonderful Indian elements of Yasmin's everyday life, from her flip-floppy chappals to her neighbor who plays a a traditional Indian ghatam, a musical clay pot, to favorite Indian foods like coconut puttu, and the wonderful istri lady"who does peoples ironing for them (istri describe the flat iron she uses for ironing).
Book Uncle and Me is a book I highly recommend, with themes perfect for young readers - friendship, community, family and making a difference.
This book is recommended for readers age 7+
This book was borrowed from the NYPL
This review was originally posted on Randomly Reading
karrie's review against another edition
5.0
My daughter and I read this book together and loved this sweet story set in India about a girl who makes a big difference in her little community. I loved the little insights into Indian culture (a glossary of some of the terms would have been nice) and the emphasis on the importance of books and reading. Definitely recommend.
libmeh's review against another edition
5.0
All the stars to Book Uncle and Me. Beyond the usual early chapter book fare about children navigating family, friendships, and school, the plot concerns one girl's efforts to save her neighborhood's version of a little free library run by the Book Uncle. Yasmin (and the reader) learns about grassroots democracy, community, and citizenship. The characters are appealing and believable. Challenging words are defined in context. As a kid who loved to read, I would have enjoyed reading this book about other kids who love books, reading, and libraries and I would have enjoyed learning a bit about living in a city in India.
kaeshmoney's review against another edition
4.5
Such a well done book encouraging young citizens to take charge to better their community, even if they’re too young to vote. Even if things seem too difficult. Very wholesome.