Customer Reviews

Altogether, One At a Time

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Using curt language complemented by black and white illustrations, Konigsburg presents four short stories for the young reader. Yet, the simple story lines hide a deep message about life. Each of the four children in Konigsburg's stories endures a difficult situation while growing up and realizes how our world is filled with both good and bad. When Lewis visits a meteor shower with his grandmother, he begins to understand the duel emotions older people face. At Camp Fat, Miss Natasha teaches chubby Clara issues about her weight. The reader also meets a young African American child through a story told by her daughter and young Jason who debates inviting Stanley to his birthday party.

This book provides an excellent example of a short story collection. The teacher can use the stories to show how plot development for short stories is similar to that of novels, the difference is just in length.

Short stories written with the flair for supernatural of Konigsburg, I found the selection, Camp Fat the most intriguing. Along with a visit from a ghost comes a lesson of the psychological reasons children are fat. Those issues must be acknowledged before they can lose weight.

I love this book very much. What exquisite stories and beautiful illustrations! I have discovered a lot of things through these five short stories. Each story has a truth of life.

About a boy who is having a Birthday party and has to invite someone he does not want to.