Justin and the Best Biscuits in the World [Paperback]

Mildred Pitts Walter (Author), Catherine Stock (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

Ten-year-old Justin thinks housework is for women, until he's invited to his grandfather's ranch. There, along with fishing, riding, and going to the rodeo, Justin learns about his black cowboy ancestors and that doing "women's work"--even baking prize-winning biscuits--is part of taking care of himself. Reading level: 2.7.  

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Sure, he can catch a greased pig at a local rodeo, but can he bake biscuits? Ten-year-old Justin struggles to "feel like a guy" in a family dominated by females. When he goes to spend a week at his grandfather's ranch, he discovers there's more to being a man than riding horses and tending to livestock. There's also cleaning up messes, making beds and, from time to time, baking biscuits--good biscuits. Along with its lighthearted treatment of gender conflict, this story, which won the 1987 Coretta Scott King Award, provides a look at the little-known history of the black cowboys who helped settle the West and create rodeos.

From Publishers Weekly

In PW 's words, "Refreshing, likable characters, an exciting rodeo and a history of the black cowboys combine to create a very special story." Ages 8-11.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 122 pages
• Publisher: Yearling (December 12, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0679803467
• ISBN-13: 978-0679803461
• Product Dimensions: 5.3 x 0.3 x 7.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,287,970 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great look at the past, September 20, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Justin and the Best Biscuits in the World (Paperback)

I had my fifth graders read this book and they loved it. They couldn't put it down. It's an excellent look at an all too unknown group of people in history--Black Cowboys. It's also a wonderful coming of age story. It comes highly recommended from the students of St. Malachy School.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book that teaches that you can do anything!, August 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Justin and the Best Biscuits in the World (Paperback)

This is a great book about an African-American boy named Justin. Over the course of a stay with his cowboy grandfather, he learns that there is no such thing as women's work, you can do anything once you learn how, and a cool history lesson about black cowboys. My 4th grade students loved it and we had a great debate over whether there is a such thing as women's work!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Read along with your kids and talk, talk, talk, October 20, 2008

By 

jaet - See all my reviews

This review is from: Justin and the Best Biscuits in the World (Paperback)

My son read this book with his 4th grade class. I read it along and out loud with him because we are really working on reading comprehension.

This is a terrific discussion-starter book for parents and children. Not only is there the sexism parts, but there is also the theme of Justin being never shown how to do things (or made fun of when he tries) to the extent that he just stopped trying.

I was very surprised to see the "n-word" (it's on page 82 in mine) in a book geared toward such young children. I'm not saying this is a bad thing, but I would not have known about it if I had not been reading the book with my son. They did not discuss it in school or let the parents know which is a shame, as it led to a few great discussions in our home about racism and the power of words.

Overall, a great book. It was nice to see some diversity in my son's required reading and to have a completely boy-centric book where the main character is not sickeningly perfect.