Ginger Brown and Too Many Houses (Stepping Stone Book) [Hardcover]

Sharon Dennis Wyeth (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 11, 1996 | Series: Stepping Stone Book

After her parents separate, Ginger Brown does a lot of moving.  The lyrical first-person narrative relates a different experience for each month of Ginger's difficult but revealing first year as a suitcase kid.  A sensitive and reassuring book for kids in similar situations.  

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-4?This early chapter book thoughtfully explores the effects of divorce on a young girl. It begins in January, as Ginger and her mother leave the home they have shared with the child's father to stay with her maternal grandparents until school ends. The brief, episodic tale follows Ginger through the year. She spends the summer on her father's parents' farm. In the fall, she and her mother move to an apartment near their old home; dad settles in an apartment nearby. The upheaval in Ginger's life is lessened somewhat by her loving, interracial family. The child's emotions run a recognizable course from bewilderment to anger and sadness, to, finally, acceptance and optimism. These emotions are noted, but not drawn out or overstated. Ideally, this book should be shared and discussed with adults, but it stands on its own as a sensitive and insightful introduction to a difficult topic.?Marilyn Taniguchi, Santa Monica Public Library, CA
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 1^-3. Six-year-old Ginger Brown's parents are divorcing at a time when Ginger, the product of an interracial marriage, is struggling with her identity. Already puzzled by the differences in skin color she sees within her immediate family, she is further confused by the fact that her grandparents, named Brown, are really pinkish white like Daddy, while Nana and Grandaddy, named Gray, are brown like Mommy. It is these age-appropriate thoughts, revealed through Ginger's bittersweet first-person narration, that make the story work so well, though occasionally Ginger seems far too wise for her six years. This easy chapter book will appeal to transitional readers and also provide reluctant readers with an alternative to lengthier novels. Lauren Peterson

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 69 pages
• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (June 11, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0679954376
• ISBN-13: 978-0679954378
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,731,658 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Over-idealized family life of bi-racial child, August 11, 2000

By 

hazelflagg (Florida, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ginger Brown: Too Many Houses (A Stepping Stone Book(TM)) (Paperback)

This was a sentimental story about a little girl's year after her parent's divorce. Showing how both her and her cat grow. It touches only lightly on the bi-racial character of her family background. That family is highly idealized, both grandparents living and with nice homes, all getting along fine.

Unfortunately, I came to this title from the Multi- Racial Activists' page because of specific concern over a bi-racial girl whose life is far from ideal. As a fact her life was filled with betrayal.

The highly idealized nature of the family in this book is not particularly realistic, specifically in the southern States. It doesn't touch on any controversial issues the complicate a bi-racial child's life, therefore is not appropriate for activism. Pamela jean Curry Film Director in Training, Film Studio Faux, Parody