Make Like a Tree and Leave [Turtleback]

Paula Danziger (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1992

Everyone in Matthew Martin's class is upset when May Nichols, their own school visitor, breaks her hip. The medical bills may force May to move from her big farm, the kids' favorite hangout, and sell to developers. Matthew and his friends decide to help the community effort to save the land by operating a Pet Wash.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Danziger's novels are like cotton candy: they're fun and light, and children positively gobble them up. In this sequel to Everyone Else's Parents Said Yes , Matthew Martin gets into a whole new set of scrapes, the most humorous being a sequence in which he wraps a friend as a mummy for a school project, with near-disastrous results. Later, when it looks as if an elderly neighbor's accident may force the sale of her farm to pay for medical expenses, Matthew and his schoolmates join in the community effort to buy the land--by organizing a pet wash. In addition to her customarily funny, energetic writing, Danziger offers valid insights into the tensions created in a town between those who want to preserve the land and those who want to develop it. The narrative's point of view occasionally shifts unexpectedly among characters, which readers may find somewhat jarring. Ages 9-12.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Matthew Martin and the rest of Mrs. Stanton's sixth-grade class first appeared in Everyone Else's Parents Said Yes (Delacorte, 1989). The year of fun and growth continues here, as a social project goes awry; Matthew begins to appreciate girls, especially Jill; his mother becomes resigned to his need for junk food; and his sibling war with Amanda cools a bit. Concern for an elderly neighbor, Mrs. Nichols, brings the class together as they fight to save her land from development. Danziger has skillfully transferred her eye for situations and her ear for dialogue into storytelling for a slightly younger group than her earlier books. As a sequel, there are some minor details here that are out of sync with the first book. There is a contradiction about when Martin's parents really met. The other is that Mrs. Nichols, who is so important to the class, is not mentioned in the first book. Children familiar with both books are sure to notice both incidents; otherwise, this is a good example of sequel writing. The classroom is Avi's Romeo and Juliet -- Together (and Alive) at Last! (Orchard, 1987) two years earlier, and Matthew has much in common with Betsy Byars' "Bingo Brown" (Viking). Readers are sure to appreciate the humor as well as the trials and tribulations of Matthew's further adventures. --Therese Bigelow, Hampton Public Library, VA
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Turtleback
• Publisher: Demco Media (February 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0606005854
• ISBN-13: 978-0606005852
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)

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

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Matthew Martin book!, March 30, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Make Like a Tree and Leave (Paperback)

We enjoyed Matthew's new antics and the humor throughout the book. If you have read other Matthew books, you will surely enjoy this one also. We also liked that it focused some on a community project.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Make like a Tree and Leave, March 27, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Make Like a Tree and Leave (Paperback)

We really enjoyed this book by Paula Danziger. Matthew Martin and his antics kept us all laughing, and we enjoyed the humor very much. Also, in this book there is a theme of helping out in the community which we found refreshing. So, don't miss this book about Matthew!

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, August 26, 2005

By 

tiger "tiger" (da) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Make Like a Tree and Leave (Paperback)

I would definitly recommend this book, alothough not for young readers as it has some 'inappriote' things in it.. but all in all... i think its a great book!