You Can't Eat Your Chicken Pox, Amber Brown [Paperback]

Paula Danziger (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 7 and up

Anticipating a trip to London where she will visit with her Aunt Pam and hopefully reunite her divorcing parents, third-grader Amber Brown is crushed when an outbreak of the chicken pox disrupts her plans. Reprint. PW. H.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A bad case of the chicken pox doesn't dampen the spirits of Danziger's spunky heroine (introduced in Amber Brown Is Not a Crayon)-even though the spots appear at the start of her anxiously awaited summer trip to London with her aunt. What does dismay the impulsive, soon-to-be-fourth grader, however, is the likelihood that her parents' six-month separation will be permanent. When she is unable to keep her plans to visit her father, who now lives in France, he travels to London to see her, and their rendezvous sets the scene for some poignant conversations about the separation. (When her father tells Amber that he has missed seeing her and taking her places, she responds, "I miss that too.... And I miss just being a kid who doesn't have to think about all of this stuff.") Danziger deftly balances the serious with the lighthearted, as Amber's chatty, first-person narration is also filled with humorous reflections and observations. A worthy sequel. Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-4?In this sequel to Amber Brown Is Not a Crayon (Putnam, 1994), Amber has completed the third grade and is looking ahead to an exciting summer. She is going to London with her Aunt Pam, and then on to Paris to see her father. Her parents are getting a divorce, yet she hopes that somehow she can bring them back together. Once in London, though, she comes down with the chicken pox, and her father comes to visit her. She then realizes that her parents won't get back together, but her dad does promise that he will return to the U.S. soon, and it looks like he and Amber's mother will communicate more openly in the future. Amber is bright, perky, and thoroughly likable, and the story is upbeat, authentic, and humorous. While recuperating, Amber writes funny letters to her friend Justin, plays board games with her aunt, and gets trapped in an elevator. She is a convincing eight-year-old in her behavior, interests, perceptions, and penchant for gross humor. Appealing black-ink cartoons appear throughout. This is a delightful selection, sure to please fans of the first book and win some new ones.?Marilyn Taniguchi, Santa Monica Public Library, CA
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks (March 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590502077
• ISBN-13: 978-0590502078
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,258,857 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."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Thought The Book Was Great!, May 22, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: You Can't Eat Your Chicken Pox, Amber Brown (Paperback)

I just finished this story. It is about Amber Brown at school. Her best friend Justin Daniels just moved away. When she came home her parents get divorced. Guess what! Her dad moves to France. She could not believe what happened to her life. Her life was wrecked into pieces! She was heart broken. Then a couple of months later she goes to France. She was so happy to see her dad. France was so cool. But she gets the chicken pox! I thought the book was great! It lots of parts I liked. I don't have a favorite part, though!- By Amanda H. Age 7

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not the best of Amber Brown, May 14, 2001

By 

Parent of a 7 year old (Ohio, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: You Can't Eat Your Chicken Pox, Amber Brown (Paperback)

I read many of the Amber Brown books with my 7-year old daughter, and generally, we love them. All of the books have a portion dedicated to the fact that her parents have split up and how she is dealing with this situation. Although my daughter cannot relate directly to that, it has lead to some interesting discussions. Most of the books have a humerous story interweaved, but unfortunately, not this one. It is a story of a girl who goes to Europe to visit her father, gets sick, and is bored sitting in her aunt's flat. We were as bored as Amber. While I would highly recommend other books (I, Amber Brown; Amber Brown Sees Red; Forever Amber Brown), I have to recommend staying away from this one.

3.0 out of 5 stars Chicken Pox in London, January 26, 2012

By 

Kripton's Class - See all my reviews

This review is from: You Can't Eat Your Chicken Pox, Amber Brown (Mass Market Paperback)

You can't eat your Chicken Pox Amber Brown is a good book because it gives good details. It's pretty funny. I gave it 3 stars because I think it could be longer. I would add and give more facts about London. I want to know what happens when she comes home. I want to know if her dad gets a job in the USA.

I would reccommend this book to girls who are 7-13 who are looking for a good book that's not too long, not too short. It's funny, easy to read, and the chapters are not too long.

Avajojo