Amber Brown Is Not A Crayon [Paperback]

Paula Danziger (Author), Tony Ross (Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: September 7, 2006 | Age Range: 7 and up | Series: Amber Brown

Amber Brown and Justin Daniels are best friends. They've known each other for practically forever, sit next to each other in class, help each other with homework, and always stick up for each other. Justin never says things like, "Amber Brown is not a crayon." Amber never says, "Justin Time." They're a great team—until disaster strikes. Justin has to move away, and now the best friends are fighting. Will they be able to work it out before it's too late?

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

With spunky Amber Brown, Danziger ( The Cat Ate My Gymsuit ; Everyone Else's Parents Said Yes ) adds to her oeuvre's sizable brood of magnetic young characters. This heroine's perky, first-person narrative ("I, Amber Brown, am one very excited third grader") allows readers to make her acquaintance immediately--and effortlessly. They'll learn straight away that Amber's life is about to change, and she is not at all happy about it. Her best friend, Justin, is moving away. Since preschool, they have been "a great team": he helps her with fractions ("which I only half understand"); she eats the cream center out of Oreos and passes the cookie part to him ("We call it teamwork. Hannah Burton calls it 'gross.' ") Though she tries to keep a stiff upper lip, Amber's emotions get the best of her when Justin, while packing, decides to throw out the chewing-gum ball they have accumulated. She resolves never to speak to him again, but the two make peace in an affecting scene that brings this brief but memorable novel to a close. Once again, Danziger demonstrates her ability to connect with her audience. One hopes she has more escapades planned for Amber. Ages 7-9.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-4-She may not be a crayon, but Amber Brown is certainly blue over the fact that her best friend, Justin Daniels, is moving away. What's making it even harder is that he won't talk to her about how he feels and she can only assume he's not as broken up about it as she is. Then, while cleaning his room for the move, Justin throws away the chewing-gum ball they've been building for a year and a half. It's the last straw and the pair are no longer speaking at all. Finally, Amber's mother helps her understand that Justin's reticence is his way of protecting himself against his sadness and anxiety over leaving, and Amber makes the move that reconciles the two pals. There's lots of fun along with the pathos here; third graders, true to form, call each other outrageous names and gross each other out good-naturedly, and their teacher, Mr. Cohen, is a paragon of creativity and understanding. Ross's black-and-white sketches throughout add humor and keep the pages turning swiftly. Danzinger reaches out to a younger audience in this funny, touching slice of third-grade life, told in the voice of a feisty, lovable heroine.
Marie Orlando, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 7 and up
  
• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (September 7, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0142406198
• ISBN-13: 978-0142406199
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #49,975 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Born in Washington, D.C., and raised in New York, Paula Danziger knew since second grade that she wanted to be a writer. Beginning her career as a teacher, Danziger taught at the junior high, high school, college levels. She received her Masters Degree in reading and during that time she wrote her first bestselling novel, The Cat Ate My Gymsuit. She returned to teaching, but the success of her book encouraged her to become a full-time writer. It was non-stop for Danziger since then. Among her titles are: the enormously popular Amber Brown books as well as Remember Me To Harold Square, The Divorce Express, and Can You Sue Your Parents For Malpractice?Danziger received numerous honors, including: Parent's Choice Awards, International Reading Association - Children's Book Council Awards, a IRA-CBC Children's Choice Award and many nominations for state reading and library association awards. Known as a flamboyantly funny and deeply honest writer and speaker, Paula Danziger knew how to relate to young readers at their level. She was vital, funny, and compassionate. She knew how kids felt, what made them laugh, what they wore, collected, read, and played with. From collecting novelty toys that would make any teacher cringe, to wearing jangly earrings, funky glasses and shoes covered with beads and sequins, Paula Danziger had a direct line into kids' hearts and funnybones. She will be missed always.In Paula's memory, The Amber Brown Fund has been established to bring authors and illustrators to schools and libraries which otherwise could not afford them. Donations may be sent to The Amber Brown Fund/ SCBWI Museum of Children's Books, 8271 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048. "I want people who want to become writers to read lots, write and rewrite lots, take acting lessons to learn about character development, observe people and not to be afraid of not being perfect. As for those people who don't want to be writers, I hope that you will always continue to read and also not be afraid of not being perfect." "I have two sets of heroes: One--bright, creative teachers, who manage to stay in the classroom. And, two--people who have difficult childhoods and manage to use the experiences to grow into caring, understanding adults."

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Step in to the feisty world of Amber Brown and friends! March 8, 2007

By Erika Sorocco

Format:Paperback

Third grader, Amber Brown, and Justin Daniels have been best friends ever since preschool. They always know what the other is thinking, have created a giant ball of chewed gum that is their prized possession, and have the perfect way to eat Oreo cookies - Amber eats the cream filling, and Justin eats the chocolate cookie shell. Having known each other forever has only worked to help them survive school. After all, they're constantly sticking up for one another when someone decides to tease them about their names - "Amber Brown is not a crayon," "Justin Time" - they help each other out with homework - Justin is the math brainiac, while Amber's strong-point is spelling and penmanship - and they sit next to each other for all class activities. Which is why they both have a hard time accepting the fact that Justin is moving. As a dynamic duo, the two can't imagine being separated. And no, it's not being separated by a town, or a single state, but, rather, thousands of miles. Justin will be in Arizona, and Amber will be stuck in New Jersey. Now, as they begin contemplating what life will be like without the other by their side, disaster strikes, and the two bosom buddies begin fighting like cats and dogs - refusing to even speak to one another. The people around them, from their parents to their beloved teacher, Mr. Cohen, have no idea what to do to get the two pals to make up, and everyone begins to wonder whether the two will manage to mend their friendship, before it's too late.

I originally read AMBER BROWN IS NOT A CRAYON when I was in the fourth grade, and instantly fell in love with Amber. Paula Danziger has a magical way of meshing the fun (best friends, school projects) with the serious (moving away), to create a splendid work of fiction that really appeals to young readers. Her ability to bring real-life situations to the forefront, and shine a spotlight on them is inspiring, and will obviously win a place in the heart of readers who are experiencing similar situations. Danziger manages to put various lessons into such a compact book, from conflict resolution, to feeling comfortable enough to reveal your true emotions. Amber is a lovable character, whose sloppy, messy ways make her unique, and easy to relate to; while her friendship with Justin really illustrates just how strong the bond can be between children - even those as young as the two characters in this book. Justin, on the other hand, also brings a diversity to the story, and helps to highlight both his, and Amber's quirks. The two characters play off of one another marvelously, and truly bring their own unique voices to the tale. Step in to the feisty world of Amber Brown and friends!

Erika Sorocco

Freelance Reviewer

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A Fun, Light Read! October 10, 2001

By Jonathan

Format:Paperback

I love these Amber Brown books. I'm thirteen, so these books are a fun, light read. The books follow third grader Amber Brown, who, in this book, is coping with the fact that her best friend, Justin, is moving. She must learn to deal with her feelings with Justin. It's funny and sincere and you'll definatly like it!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Things I like about this book June 24, 2007

A Kid's Review

Format:Paperback

I liked this book because it is about two best friends named Amber Brown and Justin Daniels. In this book Justin is moving away and he and Amber have a fight. This is a funny book that is full of character! I hope you read to see IF they make up!