Earth to Matthew [Paperback]

Paula Danziger (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1992

Matthew Martin begins to take life a little more seriously when his class takes on a recycling project and his feelings for his pal Jill take on a more romantic tenor. Reprint. K. SLJ. AB.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-8-- This third book about 11-year-old Matthew Martin and his friends is a total triumph and complete delight. Danziger's insight into adolescents is keen and compassionate, yet thoroughly humorous, as demonstrated here when Matthew discovers girls. Specifically, he discovers classmate and good-friend Jill Hudson, seeing her in a new light and finding the attraction mutual. The two are teamed on a committee as part of their class study of ecology, a project that becomes important as the students really try to make an impact on their school, homes, and town. Lots of good information on ecology and recycling is integrated into the story. Matthew and Jill's relationship develops smoothly, and neither feels any great pressure to become involved physically or sexually--these are just two surprisingly mature kids dealing with awakening feelings slowly and cautiously. The book is peopled with delightful characters, including Matthew's parents, who are two of the most sympathetic and fully drawn in current adolescent fiction. Danziger fills her easy-flowing dialogue with deliberately bad puns--Matthew's trademark--and deftly sprinkled teen slang. Hilarious situations crop up continually, and are always satisfyingly resolved. A nice touch is the inclusion of the thoughts of other classmates, many of whom are dealing with battling parents and broken homes, adding a bittersweet contrast to Matthew and Jill's stable families. --Joyce Adams Burner, formerly at Spring Hill Middle Sch . , KS
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Kirkus Reviews

Completing sixth grade, Matthew notices that ``everything is getting so complicated...everything around him is changing'': older sister Amanda is hostile and rebellious; his parents appear publicly in weird costumes for his mother's message-delivery service. Here, although Matthew's thoughts are still as funny as they were in Everyone Else's Parents Said Yes (1989), his comments and actions are more restrained. He battles with Amanda and classmate Vanessa, but he notices a change in his feelings about girls; he goes on his first date with Jil, but then, during a class trip, peer pressure causes them to quarrel as they struggle to maintain a balance between time together and with others. As sixth grade ends, Matthew ``can't wait to see where [Spaceship Earth] takes him next.'' Beneath the lighthearted surface are messages sure to strike responses from many children. Danziger explains that ``ecosystems deal with how one thing affects another''; her book dramatizes the definition in terms of relationships as well as the environment. This third Matthew story stands alone, but will have readers asking for the others. (Fiction. 8-12) -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 148 pages
• Publisher: Yearling (November 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440407338
• ISBN-13: 978-0440407331
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,038,631 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

3 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Earth to Matthew, January 2, 2000

By 

stephanie jackson (oak harbor,Washington) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Earth to Matthew (Matthew Martin Book) (Mass Market Paperback)

Earth to Matthew is about a 12 year old boy completing the sixth grade.He has a sister who bosses him,and parents who embarrass him. In ecology he learns that changes in the ecosytem can have lasting effects on the enviroment. Then he is assighed a recycling project that becomes not just interesting to him but very important. Matthew is taking sixth grade more seriousy, Matthew also learns that small changes in feelings can make a difference.Exspecaly when he looks at his friend Jill. Jill makes him feel funny, when ever she says earth to Matthew. this book is great. Paula Danziger makes good books but they could be much better.