Cool Zone with the Pain and the Great One (Pain & the Great One) [Kindle Edition]

Judy Blume (Author), James Stevenson (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1–3—In the third easy chapter book about the Pain (first-grader Jake) and the Great One (third-grader Abigail), Blume relates several common childhood concerns. Each chapter begins with an illustration to let readers know which sibling is narrating. The Great One tells about her brother losing a tooth and her phase of wanting to be known as Violet Rose. Jake explains what happened the day he was a waiter when the first graders opened the "Breakfast Club" in their classroom and about the time a student took her dog to school and it ran off with Jake's stuffed elephant. The two siblings squabble but it is normal, harmless teasing, and when the chips are down they band together, as in the chapter about their run-in with the school bully. The family cat, Fluzzy, ends the book with a brief chapter of how he also would like a new name. Stevenson's trademark ink sketches add interest and humor to the stories. No new ground is broken here, but the topics are those to which early-elementary graders can relate.—Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI
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From Booklist

Blume continues a series that started as a picture book and then expanded into a chapter book series with Soupy Saturdays with the Pain and the Great One (2007). This entry finds first-grader Jake, the Pain to his sister, and third-grader Abigail, the self-proclaimed Great One, telling their stories in alternating chapters. Their concerns are familiar and reader friendly: a loose tooth, being bullied, love of a stuffed animal, and, of course, sibling rivalry. Yet brother and sister are always there for each other, and the durability of the bond is the strong underpinning for Blume’s frothy style. Recently independent readers will find this just the book to push their skills forward. Stevenson’s gray-washed line illustrations add to the fun. Grades 3-5. --Ilene Cooper

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Product Details

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 4685 KB
• Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (May 13, 2008)
• Sold by: Random House Digital, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B001C4NXJI
• Text-to-Speech: Not enabled
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #39,491 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
  • #92 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Children's eBooks > People & Places > Family Life > Siblings

More About the Author

Judy Blume spent her childhood in Elizabeth, NJ, making up stories inside her head. She has spent her adult years in many places, doing the same thing, only now she writes her stories down on paper. Adults as well as children will recognize such Blume titles as: Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret; Superfudge; Blubber; Just As Long As We're Together; and Forever. She has also written the best-selling novels Wifey; Smart Women; and, Summer Sisters. More than 75 million copies of her books have been sold, and her work has been translated into twenty-six languages.
She receives thousands of letters each month from readers of all ages who share their feelings and
concerns with her.
Judy received a B.S. in education from New York University in 1961, which named her a Distinguished Alumna in 1996, the same year that American Library Association honored her with the Margaret A. Edwards Award for Lifetime Achievement. She has won more than ninety awards, none more important than those coming directly from her youngest readers.
She serves on the boards of the Author's Guild, currently as Vice President; the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, where she sponsors an award for contemporary fiction; and the National Coalition Against Censorship, working to protect intellectual freedom. In Spring 2002, Judy was a spokesperson for the Cheerios "A Book for Every Child" literacy campaign which benefited Reading is Fundamental, America's largest literacy organization. She is also the founder and trustee of The Kids Fund, a charitable and educational foundation.
Judy's first book in the Fudge series, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, was published in 1972. She is thrilled to be celebrating its 30th Anniversary with the publication of Double Fudge. Just as generations of fans have loved the Fudge books, generations of Judy's family have inspired them. Thirty years ago, Fudge was inspired by her son, Larry, and now Double Fudge was written at the request of her grandson, Elliot.
Judy lives on islands up and down the East Coast with her husband George Cooper. They have three grown children and one grandchild.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Courtesy of Teens Read Too, May 13, 2008

By 

TeensReadToo "Eat. Drink. Read. Be Merrier." (All Over the US & Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cool Zone with the Pain and the Great One (Pain & the Great One) (Hardcover)

Jake, also known as The Pain to his big sister, has plenty to deal with at school. From the bully who steals his magnifying glass to the disastrous Bring Your Pet to School Day, navigating the first grade is no simple matter. Luckily his big sister, Abigail The Great One, has been through it all before. When she's not too busy being great, she lends a helping hand, and in the process, she finds that even third graders need a little help now and then.

Judy Blume has the absolute greatest knack for illustrating real problems kids face every day -- the ones most adults blow off or overlook. Blume dissects and magnifies kid issues, bringing to light exactly why The Great One wants to change her name and why The Pain is so distraught about the loss of his toy elephant. No problem is too small to be important to the main characters.

Take real kid voices and real kid problems, add in Blume's classic humor and anecdotes, and you have a formula for success. What a fun companion to SOUPY SATURDAYS WITH THE PAIN & THE GREAT ONE.

With seven brand-new stories, this book has excellent read aloud or read alone appeal!

Reviewed by: Julie M. Prince

5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining reading, February 13, 2011

By 

kim - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Cool Zone with the Pain and the Great One (Pain & the Great One (Quality)) (Paperback)

I use this book for literature circles in grade 3. My group loved it...both boys and girls. Children can relate to the characters and enjoy reading about them. Good pick.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great books, January 9, 2011

By 

jcturner7 - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Cool Zone with the Pain and the Great One (Pain & the Great One) (Audio CD)

All of these stories are fantastic and I would recommend them to anyone--equally entertaining for boys and girls. Great reading and great on audio