Later, Gator [Hardcover]

Laurence Yep (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 9, 1995 | Grade Level: P and up

Teddy gives his brother, Bobby, an alligator for his birthday, which Bobby thinks is the "neatest present" ever, and the animal's disappearance brings the two brothers to a clearer understanding of what it means to be brothers. Jr Lib Guild.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Adopting a light tone far removed from the solemnity of Hiroshima (see boxed review, page 297), Yep trains his attention on a close-knit family in San Francisco's Chinatown. Teddy's mother, insisting that he put some effort into choosing a birthday present for his practically perfect younger brother, sends him to the pet shop to buy a turtle. But Teddy, no paragon, picks out a baby alligator instead, hoping to horrify little Bobby. (A note tacked onto the end of the novel advises readers on more humane approaches to choosing a pet.) Bobby, however, is thrilled, and Teddy finds himself working with Bobby to persuade their parents to let the alligator stay. Yep's portrayal of the family is warm, wise and humorous. In examining classic issues like sibling rivalry, he adds the special filter of the Chinese American experience: just after Teddy complains to his mother that everyone likes Bobby better than him, Teddy tells the reader, "Right about now I could have really used a hug. My parents, though, never showed their affection like the white parents on television. I wanted a hug so bad that it almost hurt." The story may be a slender one, but the insights here are generous. Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion; 1st edition (May 9, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786820837
• ISBN-13: 978-0786820832
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,016,593 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Laurence Yep has been fascinated with tales of sibling rivalry from the day he was born. His older brother, Tom, chose his name Laurence - after a saint who died a particularly gruesome death. Laurence has been trying to get even ever since. Laurence Yep now lives in Pacific Grove, California, with his wife and is one of children's literature's most respected authors. His award-winning titles include Newbery Honor Books Dragonwings and Dragon's Gate.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars So Close to Five Stars...., October 9, 2001

By 

Crazy James (Dallas, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Later, Gator (Paperback)

This book was so close to earning my five star ranking, I am still inwardly torn about the deicision I have made to give it four stars. This is a fantastic book, that I would heartily recommend.

Teddy lives in a Chinese American family in Chinatown and decides to give his little brother Bobby a pet aligator to help develop his character rather than a pair of socks for his birthday. This purchase, and the incidents that follow make a truly heart warming story about family and growing up in a minority community that is humorous and lesson-filled without becoming very preachy. Laurence Yep proves himself again to be a writer worthy of respect from adults as well as children.

Crazy James

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Really Good Book, May 4, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Later, Gator (Library Binding)

Later, Gator is a really good book, in my opinion. Laurence Yep is a very creative author because he had a lot of well written paragraphs and good ideas. He has written other children's books like Dragonwings and Dragon's Gate. I thought the book was the best I have ever read so far. I recommend this book to you! So if you like books with alligators and creative ideas then Later, Gator is the book for you!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It is sad but extremely humorous!, December 5, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Later, Gator (Paperback)

I really enjoyed the book. I was sick with a sore throat and my teacher sent me 10 books. The first one I read was this one. It was soo funny! I especially liked the part when the alligator was thumping around in the box on the bus and everybody moved toward the back of the bus or got off and got onto another. If anybody likes funny books, they should definitely try this one!!!