Alley Oops [Hardcover]

Janice Levy (Author), C. B. Decker (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

This story relates the painful and embarrassing aftermath of name-calling and bullying from the perspective of the bully. J. J. Jax has been tormenting an overweight boy named Patrick, calling him Pig-Pen and Porky, to the point that Patrick is now afraid to go to school. Learning of his son's behavior, J. J.'s father lectures him to stop bullying Patrick. When that approach fails, Mr. Jax tries another tack and shares an experience he had as a youthful bully and the consequences he recently faced as a result of his actions. Touched by his father's words, J.J. reaches out to Patrick in a school arm-wrestling contest and experiences the "alley oops" moment of empowerment and self-esteem that comes from doing the right thing. Snappy dialogue highlights the harmful, lasting effects of bullying and the importance of finding common ground toward conflict resolution. Believable contemporary illustrations bring the story to life with expressive body language.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-4–J.J.'s dad insists that they sit down for a talk. Apparently, the youngster has been bullying an overweight boy named Patrick, calling him Pig-Pen and Porky. Patrick's father has asked Mr. Jax to speak to his son because Patrick is having nightmares and is afraid to come to school. J.J. says he is just having fun. Mr. Jax then relates a story of his own: he was also a bully and had fun at another boy's expense. He recently met that same boy–he had become a police officer and took Mr. Jax to task for his childhood bullying. Learning of the long-lasting effects of his words, Mr. Jax felt sorry. The discussion has an impact, and J.J. and Patrick strike up a friendship. The resolution is a bit facile, and one wonders about the reasons behind J.J.'s bullying. Was it a learned behavior, since his father admits to doing something similar? Wouldn't the man have recognized the problem earlier, as he himself had been a bully? Also, the message in Mr. Jax's story is a bit forced. The watercolor cartoons are lively and have contemporary details. Despite its weaknesses, the book may be useful to help initiate discussion on this important topic.–Jennifer Ralston, Harford County Public Library, Belcamp, MD
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Review

An Accelerated Reader book

Storytelling World Award Honor Title

International Reading Association has cited Alley Oops as a source for their title, Bright Beginnings for Boys: Engaging Young Boys in Active Literacy

"A valuable lesson about name-calling and hurting people's feelings." —Children's Literature

"An entertaining book with a compassionate message." —Long Island Parenting magazine

"A 'must have' for classroom teachers, counselors, or school libraries."  —National Center for Youth Issues (NCYI)

"Powerful message without being goody-goody." —New York State Reading Association

"A little gem . . . [that] will empower your children to wrestle with big choices and take a look at their own actions and reactions."  —AcademicPlanet.com

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Flashlight Press (May 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0972922547
• ISBN-13: 978-0972922548
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #166,124 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best bullies 4ever! NEVER!, March 20, 2008

By 

Betty L. Dravis "BETTY DRAVIS, author/reviewer" (Silicon Valley, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Alley Oops (Hardcover)

As I've said before, I just adore all the children's picture books in FLASHLIGHT PRESS's catalog. I've already reviewed several of them and my aim is to review as many as possible because these books are perfect for the children in your life aged 4 to 8.

With that in mind, I checked their on-line catalog. I had a hard time choosing between Alley Oops and Carla's Sandwich. I decided on Alley Oops because it's a different kind of "bully" story and because my neighbor's son has just had his first run-in with a bully--an age-old problem that has more repercussions than bullies realize until often too late.

In this book Mr. Jax is surprised that his son J. J. has been bullying an overweight boy named Patrick, calling him bad names like Pig-Pen and Porky. When Patrick starts having nightmares, his father asks Mr. Jax to speak to J.J. The boy excuses himself, saying he was just having fun

How does Mr. Jax handle this situation? What does he tell his son to make him understand how bullying can really hurt a person, causing long-lasting problems, often ruining the other person's life? Does J. J. listen to his father, then try to make amends to Patrick? If so, how does Patrick react? And what plan do they come up with that ends up influencing everyone at their school?

As this author weaves her interesting. timely story, she deftly answers all those questions and more.

This topic may seem a little above the children's heads, but the book is so well-written and easy to follow that they should easily get the message. Furthermore, parents and educators can use this book to open discussion on this important topic and help the children further understand the impact of their words on others.

The message in this book can be used to build self-esteem and long-lasting friendships. In addition to being educational, Alley Oops by gifted writer Janice Levy is entertaining and enhanced by colorful, meaningful illustrations by the talented artist Cynthia Decker.

Very highly recommended.

Reviewed by: Betty Dravis, 2008
The Toonies Invade Silicon Valley

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Demonstrates the negative consequences of bullying, and offers a positive alternative through self-empowerment and esteem, September 14, 2005

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Alley Oops (Hardcover)

The subject of dealing with bullies is the focus of Alley Oops, an entertaining and superbly written picturebook written by Janice Levy and illustrated by Cynthai Decker for young readers ages 5 to 9. The story follows young Patrick as he repeatedly encounters a name-calling bully at school - J.J. Jax, who labels him "Pig-Pen" and "Porky". When Mr. Jax learns of this, he tells J.J. a story about the days long ago when he was once a bully. Mr. Jax explains that everyone has two dogs inside - one bad and one good - and whichever dog we feed the most will win the battle. Ally Oops demonstrates the negative consequences of bullying, and offers a positive alternative through self-empowerment and esteem, which can be used to build lasting connections of true friendship. Very highly recommended.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a bully can change, May 22, 2005

By 

Rebecca Brown "rebeccasreads" (Clallam Bay, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Alley Oops (Hardcover)

Rebeccasreads highly recommends ALLEY OOPS as a funny & emotional read about how JJ so torments Patrick that he stays away from school. You kind of get the picture of a ferocious little terrier dog, barking at an elephant's heels.

Then JJ's father tells him a story about how he too was a bully & what happened to the boy he tormented. Impressed, JJ goes off to Patrick's home to sort things out, only to discover how alike they are, especially in their passion for arm wrestling.

Pretty soon, they come up with a way to win friends & influence everyone at school, JJ is going to be Patrick's, the "Hammer Hand", manager.