The In-Between Days [Paperback]

Eve Bunting (Author), Alexander Pertzoff (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 7, 1996 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

Why doesn't Caroline Best stay off the island and leave his family alone? George doesn't want somebody from the mainland thinking she can suddenly become a replacement for his dead mother. So when George comes up with a mean prank that he hopes will get rid of Caroline, he is sure that he has found the perfect way to return their family to the way it should be. "A beautifully crafted story that captures...the emotional landscape of an emerging step-family."—Language Arts. "The briskly paced novel will capture many readers...Once again, Bunting hits home."—BL.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6-Despite an ending that ties loose ends up a bit too neatly, this is a warm, heartfelt story about a family struggling to cope with change. George, 11, his 5-year-old brother, James, and their father are one of the 43 families who live year-round on a sleepy island. Then Caroline, recently divorced, comes to the island for a day and rents a bicycle from their shop. When she begins to visit regularly, George worries that his father will marry her. He decides to play a meanspirited prank at Christmas that will force her away, and, to his ultimate dismay, it works. When the island is cut off from civilization by a blizzard, he understands for the first time how much he has cut himself off from admitting his loneliness since his mother's death. As the community comes together to build a traditional ice bridge to the mainland, he takes the opportunity to reach out to Caroline. The writing is descriptive and sensitive, and George is a thoroughly believable and sympathetic character. Although it's puzzling that he and his father don't talk about what's happening given their close relationship, this inconsistency won't prevent readers from finding the story to be a satisfying one of healing and resolution.
Cyrisse Jaffee, formerly at Newton Public Schools, MA
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 4-6. After their mother's death, 11-year-old George and 5-year-old James live with their dad on Dove Island across the bay from St. Ann's. One summer day a young woman named Caroline rents a bike from the boys' father, and the boys offer to show her the island. Soon Caroline shares every Saturday with the family, much to the pleasure of James and his father, but to the distress of George, who sees Caroline winning his father's love. When Caroline is invited to spend Christmas with them, George devises a plan, neatly wrapped as a holiday gift, to derail Caroline's visit. How he comes to terms with his actions makes a story that children will readily identify with. Once again Bunting hits home, deftly building her characters. The chill of the winter wind matches the chill in George's emotions. The briskly paced novel will capture many readers. Realistic black-and-white drawings add to the flavor. Deborah Abbott --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins; First Edition edition (March 7, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 006440563X
• ISBN-13: 978-0064405638
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,574,944 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Eve Bunting has written more than 200 books for children, many of which can be found in libraries around the world. Her other Clarion titles for very young readers include My Big Boy Bed, which was also illustrated by Maggie Smith, and Little Bear's Little Boat, illustrated by Nancy Carpenter. She lives in Pasadena, California.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Funny and interesting, October 20, 2000

By 

Will Hitz (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The In-Between Days (Paperback)

I thought this was a really good book, because it was funny and touching. I liked the characters and their feelings, and I liked James, the 5-yr old boy.

5.0 out of 5 stars Touching, August 9, 2009

By 

roving reader "hungry for words" (Tampa, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The In-Between Days (Paperback)

Bunting is fabulous for telling about the everyday, and making you want to read about it.

5.0 out of 5 stars The In Between Days, January 20, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The In-Between Days (Paperback)

The book I read was The In Between Days.It has about 110 pages and 10 chapters the author is Eve Bunting.It's 4.1.And 4.0 points.The reason I like this book is because it just inspired me by telling the places they have been. I also like the details.The charecters are a little 12 year old boy named George,his brother named James,their dad and their dad's girlfriend, Coroline.The problem is that George didn't like Coroline because he thought she was trying to take his mom's place since she died.Now you have to find out what happens.