Someday Angeline [Import] [Paperback]

Louis Sachar (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Inc; New Ed edition (March 31, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 074758723X
• ISBN-13: 978-0747587231
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,409,057 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

author spotlight
Newbery Award-winning author Louis Sachar is the creator of the entertaining Marvin Redpost books as well as the much-loved There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom, winner of 17 child-voted state awards.

Louis Sachar's book Holes, winner of the 1999 Newbery Medal, the National Book Award, and the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, is also an ALA Best Book for Young Adults, an ALA Quick Pick, an ALA Notable Book, and was made into a major motion picture.

A Few Words From Louis Sachar
Of all the characters from Holes, why did you choose to revisit Armpit in SMALL STEPS?
LS: I tend to write about underdogs. It seemed to me that life would be tough for an African-American teenager from a low-income family with a criminal record. Especially someone stuck with the name, "Armpit."
Although this new book is about a character from Holes, the two books are very different. How would you explain to a fan of Holes what to expect from SMALL STEPS?
LS: I can't. I'm no good at describing my books. Holes has been out now for seven years, and I still can't come up with a good answer when asked what that book is about.
Could you imagine future novels about any of the other boys?
Do you think about what Stanley is up to now?
LS: I don't think too much about Stanley or Zero. I left them in a good place. Although money doesn't bring happiness, or give meaning to someone's life, the problems Stanley and Zero face now (and I'm sure they do face many problems) are less interesting than those faced by someone like Armpit.
Plenty of teenagers fantasize about what it would be like to be a young rock star.
You portray it as lonely. Tell us about that decision.
LS: The media tends to portray the teenage world as one where drinking and sex is taken for granted. In fact, I think most teenagers don't drink, are unsure of themselves, and feel awkward around members of the opposite sex. I thought it was important to show Kaira, a rock star no less, as such a person. Her situation, in many ways, is made more difficult as she has no social contact with anyone her age. She is trapped in a world of agents, record producers, and hanger-ons.
I'm imagining that off all the books you've written, Holes is the one that has changed your life the most. Not only did it win the Newbery Medal, it's also simply a popular sensation. Is this assessment accurate? What is this novel's continuing impact on your life? Would you consider it the book that you are proudest of?
LS: Not counting Small Steps, I think Holes is my best book, in terms of plot, and setting, and the way the story revealed itself. It hasn't changed my life, other than that I have more money than I did before I wrote it. I'm still too close to Small Steps to compare it to Holes.
Why do you typically write only two hours each day?
LS: Small steps. Every time I start a new novel it seems like an impossible undertaking. If I tried to do too much too quickly, I would get lost and feel overwhelmed. I have to go slow, and give things a chance to take form and grow.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I LOVED IT!!!!!!, July 5, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Someday Angeline (Avon/Camelot Book) (Paperback)

I loved how Louis Sacher described Angeline's personality and life. I thought it was sweet that she could be anything from a layer to president, but she wanted to be a gar bage person like her father. I have read Wayside school books, but this was THE funniest of them all! I felt sorry for Angeline because she was laughed at for doing things that came natural to 8 year olds. Like, for example, sucking her thumb and being very emotional about every thing. I agree with Miss Turbone (a.k.a. Mr.Bone) when she said that if she had Mrs. Hardlick as a teacher, she'd go to the aquarium too. I rejoyced when Mellisa Turbone fell in love with Abel. Angeline deserved a mother. In my heart I know that they got married. I got worried when Angeline fell in the ocean and almost drowned. But, it WAS funny when she awoke in the hospital room to a joke. If I was Goon (Gary) I would have probably fainted when she said "What?". I loved this book with all of my heart. It is my third favorite book ever!! My first favorite is The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe. Look for my review on it! READ SOMEDAY ANGELINE!!!!!!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is amazing..., July 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Someday Angeline (Avon/Camelot Book) (Paperback)

I am 15 years old and I read a huge amount. This is one of my favorite books of all time. It's incredible, and it gets better as you get older. Angeline, the heroine, is brilliant and charming. All she wants is to fit in, but she can't. Of coures, she finally does get the yummy end of the deal, but without compromising herself. And the middle...!!! of the book... I've read the Wayside School books and didn't like them half as much although they weren't bad.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars You never know...., April 30, 2002

By 

Jay - See all my reviews

This review is from: Someday Angeline (Avon/Camelot Book) (Paperback)

You never know what to expect from a Louis Sachar book. The one thing you can always be sure of however is quality literature for young people that also appeals to adults. I have always been amazed at how this lawyer from California is able to weave elements of his stories together and not ignore the details. Little mysteries from the beginning of the story will make sense in the end.

Angeline is too smart for her own good and is not well like at school, until she meets a young boy who is sort of an outcast himself. The two of them befriend a teacher who befriends Angeline's father. The story was cute and I was able to relate Angeline and really felt for her. I did have 2 problems however.

First, Sachar routinely talks about the things Angeline knew before she was born because she was connected to the world, but he does not explore this topic as much as I would have liked, or expected. Also, I felt the suggested future romantic relationship between Angeline and Gary to be a little much considering she is only 8 years old. These are both small issues, but they did prevent the book from getting a five star rating.

Why 4 stars?:
With the exception of two flaws: 1 dealing with a concept not being explored fully, the other with content, this book was very enjoyable. It is not the most open for discussion of Sachar's works, but there is still plenty to talk about. I would recommend this book for intermediate students and their classrooms - it is already a part of mine.