July [Hardcover]

James Stevenson (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up

The author recalls the summers he and his brother spent at their grandparents' house near the beach.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A regular New Yorker cartoonist, Stevenson is as expressive with words as he is with a paintbrush. Here, whimsical watercolors and a text studded with appealing period details recreate a summer of 50 years ago, when the narrator visited his grandparents at the seashore. Traveling back in time, readers meet Grandpa, who dressed in knickers and played croquet; Grandma, who left a door unlocked every night "in case anybody needs to get in"; and Mrs. Bartlett, who delivered the mail, driving her car "on both sides of the road and, sometimes, down the middle." The boy and his friends participate in the summer pastimes of which memories are made: skipping stones, watching waves during a storm, toasting marshmallows and riding in a speedboat. Stevenson adds the right amounts of nostalgia and humor to his timeless story; readers of all ages will treasure this book--all year round. Ages 5-up.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2-- This book of gentle reminiscence combines past yet timeless joys into one perfect summer memory. Fifty years ago, July meant visits to Grandma and Grandpa's house near the beach. Grandpa wore knickers, croquet was the game of choice, and at night one door in the house was left unlocked "in case anybody needs to get in." There was plenty to do, and plenty not to do. The "don'ts" will be familiar to modern children--don't slouch, don't bolt your food, don't make so much noise! Similar in style to Stevenson's Higher on the Door (1987) and When I Was Nine (1986, both Greenwillow), this lovingly executed book avoids heavy nostalgia by skillfully evoking universal pleasures of the season. Soft, evocative watercolors capture various moods with minimum detail but maximum emotional impact. With a few splashes and lines of color, Stevenson reveals the pure exuberance of racing bicycles along the boardwalk. In the final pages, the narrator at last takes a ride on Mr. Harding's speedboat, which turns out to be "ten times better than I thought it would be!" Young readers will feel the same way about this book, especially if they can share it with grandparents ready with memories of their own. --Lori A. Janick, Parkwood Elemen . School, Pasadena, TX bpp, pl. send type, galleys, and one lightly waxed set, thanks.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Greenwillow; 1st edition (April 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688088228
• ISBN-13: 978-0688088224
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,300,996 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another James Stevenson children's hit, September 18, 2008

By 

DC Roset - See all my reviews

This review is from: July (Hardcover)

More advanced than Stevenson's 'Mud Flat' series. Gives parents a chance to reflect on their own childhood as a bonding experience with their children. Great with "When I Was Nine" and others in that series. My kids loved them.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a delightful reminiscence, perfect for 5-8, November 19, 2007

By 

D. Lowery (San Ramon, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: July (Hardcover)

What a fun book to read for both adults and children. Stevenson has a wonderful way with words, and it shows in this particular story. A boy waits longingly all year for July when he and his brother visit their grandparents near the beach. They do all sorts of innocent kid things--swim, ride bikes, try to climb a windmill (but are chased away each time), long to ride in a neighbor's speedboat, watch the old-folks play croquet, tell spooky stories to each other late at night. The simple artwork is a delightful complement to the writing. Highly recommended.