Earrings! [Hardcover]

Judith Viorst (Author), Nola Langner Malone (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 30, 1990 | Age Level: 6 and up

"I want them. Beautiful earrings.

Glorious earrings.

"

What's a young girl supposed to do when her mom and dad refuse to let her have her ears pierced? She can argue, she can beg, she can swear that-if only they'll say yes -- she'll be nice to her little brother for one whole year. And whether or not she persuades them, she can find herself in this true and funny tail of a charmingly persistent girl determined to have what she wants and needs and loves: beautiful, glorious earrings for pierced ears.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-3-- Pierced ears and beautiful earrings are this protagonist's sole desire. She tries everything to convince her parents of the positive results of such acquisitions: her posture will improve and she won't need new clothes. If arguments won't work, there are always tears or promises. The outcome of such exhortations is not known because the situation remains unresolved, but one can count on the persistence of this child. Although not Viorst at her best, she does capture the immediacy of young demands. The girl must have her earrings now, because she is the "only girl . . . in the solar system" (not to mention in her multiethnic classroom) who doesn't have pierced ears. Malone's watercolor and ink illustrations depict a curly-haired redhead straining to look in jewelry store windows, imagining herself in various earrings, poring over pictures of sophisticated models, and being very helpful. Her comfortably baggy outfits are accented by her signature hairbow in dazzling colors, but her age seems to fluctuate greatly from page to page. The conflict is authentic, and the humorous illustrations expand the drama and exaggeration of this child's obsession. Parents and youngsters caught in this struggle will recognize themselves, although they won't find any answers in this book. --Jane Saliers, Atlanta-Fulton Pub . Lib .
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Publisher

I want them.

I need them.

I love them.

Beautiful earrings.

Glorious earrings.

What's a young girl supposed to do when her mom and dad refuse to let her have her ears pierced? She can argue, she can beg, she can swear that-if only they'll say yes -- she'll be nice to her little brother for one whole year. And whether or not she persuades them, she can find herself in this true and funny tail of a charmingly persistent girl determined to have what she wants and needs and loves: beautiful, glorious earrings for pierced ears.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Atheneum; 1ST edition (September 30, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689316151
• ISBN-13: 978-0689316159
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,737,980 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Judith Viorst has written many books for children, including the classics Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day and its sequels, and If I Were in Charge of the World and Other Stories. She is also the author of Just in Case, illustrated by Diana Cain Bluthenthal. She lives with her husband, Milton, in Washington D.C.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great persuasive book!, December 4, 2001

By 

Donna (Poway, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Earrings! (Aladdin Picture Books) (Paperback)

As a teacher, I am always on the lookout for a great book that demonstrates the type of writing I am teaching. In this case, EARRINGS is a wonderful example of persuasion. The little girl is trying to convince her parents that she is ready for pierced ears, but her parents (like myself) are stubborn. She uses every form of persuasion, from begging to making deals, to get her parents to relent.
I use this book when introducing persuasive writing, to my fifth graders.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect, March 22, 2007

By 

Book Nut (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Earrings! (Aladdin Picture Books) (Paperback)

This is a wonderfully funny book to share with young girls. It's a perfect book to teach persuasion-if you're a teacher.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for inspiring persuasive writing, November 13, 2009

By 

N. A. Horan (New Hampshire) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Earrings! (Aladdin Picture Books) (Paperback)

This book inspired is a favorite writing activity that I've used with younger grades, as well as with older ones. I have even used this writing activity in workshops with adults to demonstrate how literature can fuel writing.

First I read Earrings aloud to the class.

In the story a girl passionately begs her parents to allow her to pierce her ears. She makes all sorts of extravagant promises to them, "Like, walk our dog every day for one whole year. Like, clean my room every day for one whole year. Like, read a book once a week for one whole year. Like, be nice to my little brother for one whole year. Well maybe six months. And I wouldn't ask for new clothes, because I could wear the same old clothes - and just change my earrings." Then the students and I have a discussion about something they want and are trying to convincve their parents to give them.

The writing assignment is to write a letter/persuasive essay to someone - usually parents - about something you really really want. I've gotten some great pieces of writing in return.