Racing the Sun (Avon Camelot Books) [Paperback]

Paul Pitts (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: Avon Camelot Books

Being an American in ian wasn't something twelve-year-old Brandon Rogers liked to advertise. His father had left his Indian heritage behind when he went to college and Brandon had grown up in suburbia-just a regular kid. Who neededembarrassing mumbo-jumbo to make you look different? But then Brandon's Navajo grandfather moved off the reservation and into the lower bunk in Brandon's room!

It wasn't easy having a roommate who chanted himself to sleep and got you out of bed before sunrise to race the sun. But now Brandon's learning lessons he'll never forget. Like how to take on the old ways without giving up the new. And how to grow up proud and strong ... with a heritage as real as an old man's love.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This affecting story about a suburban Navajo boy should find a broad audience. Brandon, 12, is happily ensconced in UGA (Underachieving Goof-offs of America) with his best friend Ham, content to live the middle-class life his father has carved out for his family. Then Brandon's Navajo grandfather comes to live with them, bringing his smoky smell, his chants and his ample dignity and charm. His very presence disrupts the family, reminding them of reservation life, but Brandon is drawn to him. Their gentle, loving bond, based on Brandon's learning "the important things" from his grandfather, changes the boy in believable, positive ways. If this is just a bit idealized in its treatment of minor characters, it is nonetheless engagingly told and refreshingly modern. The story's themes are more subtle than the strident cover will lead readers to expect. Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8 This thought-provoking, realistic story, interspersed with many comic moments, is narrated by a typical and appealing 12-year-old boy who, along with his best friend Ham, is a member of the UGA club, "Underachieving Goof-offs of America." Although young Brandon Rogers is a Navajo Indian, he has been raised with middle-class American values, and is "Navajo like Ham is Jewish." When Brandon's dying grandfather comes from the New Mexican reservation to be cared for in his son's home, the cultural clash that results is a source of problems between father and son as well as between grandfather and grandson. Brandon manages to sneak his grandfather back to the reservation by bus. It is there that both son and grandson finally come to terms with their Navajo origins and family traditions. Besides offering a glimpse of Navajo reservation life and culture, this fast-reading novel has enough humor to keep it from becoming overly sentimental and a universal message that makes it worthwhile reading for children of any cultural background. Yvonne A. Frey, Peoria Public Library, Ill.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 150 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (August 1, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380754967
• ISBN-13: 978-0380754960
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 4.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #585,959 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars just finished reading the book, September 5, 2000

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Racing the Sun (Avon Camelot Books) (Paperback)

I thought the book was going to be very boring but once i got started on it, it became more interesting. The book is about a navajo boy, 12 years old named Brandon who finds out that his grandfather is leaving the reservation because he is sick. Soon the two are living in the same room. My favorite part is when Brandon and his grandfather take the busride back to the reservation. If u are interested in indians, I suggest that you read this book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Learning the Navajo ways of Live and Customs, March 11, 2003

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Racing the Sun (Avon Camelot Books) (Paperback)

Brandon, an ordinary twelve-year-old boy who lives in suburbia has an Indian heritage. Brandon who does not know much about his Navajo background sees a letter sitting on the kitchen table and sees that his grandfather will be coming to their house for the summer. His parents decide that he should sleep in Brandon's room and replace is bed for a bunk bed. Grandpa comes to the home with and Indian smell, He is exhausted from riding so long to the their house. By the next morning before the sun is up, his grandfather wakens Brandon. This is where the teachings of Navajo life begin! Grandpa sends Brandon to race to where the sun comes up, and then race back when the sun peaks over the trees. After that, it makes him feel great. Now he has to "Race the sun" each morning. Next, Grandpa teaches how to plant, where to plant, and what to plant. After a month, Grandpa is sick. Sick of his old age and misses his home and the fresh smells of the sage brush down where he lived. Brandon now cares for his grandfather and wants to take him back down to the reservation. Brand fiqures out a way to run away with his grandfather without anyone knowing it! The rest of the book you will have to read. I give this book *** (3) out of 5 stars. The book was planned well but had a sad ending.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Racing the Sun by James Won, June 4, 2002

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Racing the Sun (Avon Camelot Books) (Paperback)

12-year old Brandon's Grandpa said he was going to come. Brandon was horrified, but then when his Grandpa told him to race the sun and heard him chant at night, Brandon couldn't stand it anymore. But soon Brandon grows to loves his Grandpa. Soon, when he heard that his Grandpa had cancer, and wanted to go back to his homeland, but his parents won't listen, he decides to runaway with his Grandpa.

I think this book was kind of boring then kind of fun. First it was boring, but the middle and the ending was great! Some of the parts were funny (like the part when Brandon called Grandpa a genuine Navajo alarm clock), and some of the parts were sad (like the part when Grandpa died...)
I would reccomend this book to anybody who likes stories that are a little bit funny and sad.