Chevrolet Saturdays [Hardcover]

Candy Dawson Boyd (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 28, 1993

Just when he feels comfortable with Mr. Johnson as his new stepfather, ten-year-old Joey Davis ruins everything when he carelessly leaves the gate open and Mr. Johnson's dog runs away.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

An African American boy must come to grips with his mother's remarriage, his father's relocation and his difficult fifth grade teacher in this novel about making adjustments. Joey Davis longs for the days when his parents were still together; since their divorce, nothing has been the same. Joey has trouble accepting Mr. Johnson as his new stepfather and his grades have taken a slide, along with his attitude. But when Joey reluctantly takes on the responsibility of working with Mr. Johnson on Saturdays, and then helps rescue Josie, Mr. Johnson's dog, his confidence builds and things start looking up. Boyd tackles several important issues here, all encompassed within the bigger theme of the challenges faced by African Americans living in what is still a largely prejudiced society. Although her situations are realistic, Boyd's forced dialogue gives the novel a feeling of falseness; readers may be unable to relate to or care about the characters. While more books featuring African Americans are needed, and the issue of race relations bears analysis, the combination in this case doesn't quite work. Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing (May 28, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0027117650
• ISBN-13: 978-0027117653
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,502,147 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Divorce is a piece of the fabric of our society, August 30, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Chevrolet Saturdays (A Puffin Novel) (Mass Market Paperback)

Chevrolet Saturdays is a wonderful novel! This is the first book I've read which discusses the themes of divorce and remarriage in the African-American home. As I read this book to my class, I began to realize how much divorce had become a part of the fabric of our society. By studying Joey and his coping mechanisms, I could then begin to understand some of my own classroom children who have experienced this same thing. I highly recommend this book.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE BEST BOOK THAT I HAVE EVER READ!!!!!!, September 20, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Chevrolet Saturdays (A Puffin Novel) (Mass Market Paperback)

I thought that Chevrolet Sarutdays was the greatest book ever. It talked about real life situations that some kids these days go through today. All the things that are explained in the book are situations that kids and step parents go through everyday, for example the step parent trying to dot hing with the child that the child doesn't want to do with them because they're are not their real parents. I recomend that you get your hands on this book fast, because it is flat out the best!!!!!

5.0 out of 5 stars Book review, March 10, 2004

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Chevrolet Saturdays (A Puffin Novel) (Mass Market Paperback)

In the beginning Joey is mad because his parents just got a divorce. His mother gets married to his new step father. Joey has to adjust to his new father and his dog. At school his teacher treats him bad because Joey has not been act good. He thinks that he should be in a gifted class. In the middle he is going to his friend house when he leaves the gate open. The dog gets out. When he returned he notices that he can't find the dog. He looks everywhere. He tries to find her before his step-father comes back. You will have to read the book to find out what happens. I liked this book very much. I thought it was a great learning experience. I think it would be a great multicultural book. If you are a teacher, you should read this book to your kids. I enjoyed reading this book. I think you should buy this book. It teaches you how to do with a divorce. You should consider buying this book. It was really fun reading this book. It was one of the greatest books I have ever read. I think this book reminds me of Holes. How Zero loses his mom and tries to find her when he gets older.