The Shimmershine Queens (Paperstar) [Paperback]

Camille Yarbrough (Author)

Book Description

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

Angie and Michelle are best friends, facing the very real problems of growing up in a tough inner-city neighborhood where it's sometimes not considered "cool," or even safe, to be smart or to have kinky hair and dark skin. That is until 90-year-old Cousin Seatta comes to visit and teaches Angie and Michelle about the shimmershine feeling, that good feeling and pride which people have for their racial heritage and physical features.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

When Angie, a 10-year-old black girl, gets the lead in the school play, there are all manner of repercussions. PW called this a "remarkable" and "value-building, timely book, realistic in its presentation of the needs and aspirations of minority youth." Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8 Shimmershine, according to Angie's elderly cousin, is that good feeling and pride which people have in their racial heritage and physical features. Ten-year-old Angie desperately needs this shimmershine to overcome the taunts from her classmates about her dark complexion and kinky hair, as well as the negative feelings that she has about her parents' separation. With the help of a friend, Angie learns how to be her own person by speaking up for herself and standing her ground against a group of class bullies. Her participation in a special dance and drama class, conducted by a dynamic teacher who instills in her students an appreciation for their African heritage, enables Angie to blossom and finally earn the respect of her taunting classmates. Yarbrough sensitively tackles the issue of color distinctions among blacks. Black dialect is used in dialogue throughout, and Angie's characterization, more so than that of some other characters, is consistent. (The appearance at the very end of Angie's father seems a bit contrived, although very welcome.) The vital part in which an arts program can play in a curriculum as well as in a young person's development is effectively demonstrated. Angie is a dreamer and wants a better life for her family, and perhaps this shimmershine feeling that she gets at the end will enable her to fulfill these dreams. Jeanette Lambert, LaVega School, Waco, Tex.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (June 18, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0698113691
• ISBN-13: 978-0698113695
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #866,421 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I recommend this book to all people who have big dreams., February 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Shimmershine Queens (Hardcover)

This book is a good book and I think everyone that has big dreams for the future should read it. If you don't have big dreams or something that you want to strive for than you can't really relate to this book. I think this book is so good because it is one of those books that make you laugh,cry, and upset. This book is really good and this book also flicks a switch in people that makes them want to do good in life.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 300 word paragraph by Dominic Black, October 24, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Shimmershine Queens (Paperstar) (Paperback)

The Shimmershine Queens is a good book. I would want to recommend this book to all of the other kids out there. I want to recommend this book because it is a good book. I also want to recommend this book because it talks about how Cousin Seatta was in slavery and a girl named Angie does a school play. She has a conflict at home and it is her father won't come visit her and she thinks he won't come to the play. She decided to steal some things from the Woolsworth store, she stole some lipstick and bought candy. She did that because she was mad at her dad. She was mad at her dad because of the conflict at home. This book has some curse words in it so don't let little kids read this book. It is still a good book though. Most of the kids liked the book for the curse words. Some just thought it was a good book. I was one of the kids who just thought it was a good book. I like this book because it is very interesting. I hope some other people can read this book. I think they will like it.If you think it is a bad book because of the curse words, it is not it is a good book. Trust me it is not bad by the curse words. So either check it out at the library or any place. I just want you to read the book. You'll like it. I want you to write about it, too. You go to amazon.com go to books. Type in The Shimmershine Queens. Go to write your own reveiw. Then, go to kids under thirteen if your a kid and your there.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I feel the SHIMMER!!, October 24, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Shimmershine Queens (Paperstar) (Paperback)

To me this book was great.I liked when they got in a fight and then they started to be come friends.Angie is good at being a friend.When she shows feelings.I thought she was very good at showing her feelings.It is good to show feelings.This is a great book!