Dear Baby [Library Binding]

Joanne Rocklin (Author), Eileen McKeating (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up

During the months that her mother is expecting, eleven-year-old Farla writes a series of letters to the unborn baby describing her feelings toward family members, friends, and her future brother or sister.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-7 Although, to adults, a big sister's letter to an unborn baby may smack a bit too obviously of therapeutic exercise, this theme novel does fill a need. Most books dealing with feelings of jealousy and suspicion toward the awaited sibling are aimed toward younger children, but this addresses the feelings of pre-adolescents. At her mother and teacher's suggestion, Farla begins this extended diary/letter six months before the baby is due. Uncertainty about the baby is not her only problem. She is adjusting to her mother's new husband, Charlie; his great aunt who has come to live with them; a new (and more sophisticated) friend; and the transformation of a comfortable grandmother who suddenly stops cooking, loses weight, and gets a boyfriend. Farla's is a warm, secure life. Although she is displaced physically to make room for the baby, she never loses her place in the family. There is a special charm to the bumbling efforts of Charlie, who persists in his efforts to break through her resentment. Although she flirts briefly with the idea of running off to live with her grandmother who will appreciate her, she is hardly devastated when Bubbie has other plans. The minor false starts and wrong turns as the family adjusts ring true. A well-balanced look at a common problem. Sally T. Margolis, The Newport Schools, Kensington, Md.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Library Binding: 104 pages
• Publisher: Atheneum; 1st edition (July 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0027773205
• ISBN-13: 978-0027773200
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,709,462 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

JOANNE ROCKLIN is the critically acclaimed author of several books, including ONE DAY AND ONE AMAZING MORNING ON ORANGE STREET, an Indie Bound book; STRUDEL STORIES, which was a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year and an American Library Association Notable Book, and FOR YOUR EYES ONLY!, which was a School Library Journal Best Book and a Bank Street Best Book. Her early readers THREE SMART PALS and THIS BOOK IS HAUNTED will soon be e-books, the latter also to be released as an App.

Her latest middle grade novel is ONE DAY AND ONE AMAZING MORNING ON ORANGE STREET, also published as an audiobook. "Fully realized characters and setting definitely make this one morning on Orange Street amazing." KIRKUS, starred.

She has a doctorate in psychology and is a former elementary school teacher, presently writing children's books full-time. For several years she taught a popular class in writing children's books at UCLA Extension. She gives presentations in schools, libraries and bookstores and has been a speaker for the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, the California Reading Association, and other organizations.

Originally from Montreal, Canada, Joanne lived in Los Angeles for many decades. She now lives in Oakland, California.

Her website is www.joannerocklin.com and she welcomes comments.