Spring Break [Paperback]

Johanna Hurwitz (Author), Karen Dugan (Illustrator)

Book Description

A broken ankle wasn't the spring break Cricket Kaufman had in mind. Now she has to miss out on a trip to Washington with her best friend all because of a fateful bet with class clown Lucas Cott, and what was supposed to be a dream vacation is looking like the worst week of her life. With a little imagination and a little help from her friends, though, Cricket discovers that a spring break can actually be a lucky break.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this relatively sedate tale featuring Cricket Kaufman and pals, first introduced in Class Clown, Hurwitz takes a break from the series' predominantly school setting. For the bulk of the novel?and all of her spring vacation?Cricket is laid up with a broken ankle. Luckily, the fifth grader's personality, handily revealed through animated conversation and humorous snippets of the girl's thoughts, is sufficiently appealing to carry the plot, which, given the heroine's homebound status, is unavoidably short on action. Cricket's accident comes at the worst possible time, as she must pass up a long-planned trip to Washington, D.C., with the family of her best friend, Zoe. Adding insult to injury, Zoe invites another classmate to go on the trip in Cricket's place. Hurwitz smoothes out that wrinkle with a breezy narrative showing how Cricket's friends and teacher help her cope with her frustration and boredom. Though not as effervescent as the author's tales of Ali Baba Bernstein, Aldo and Elisa, this bright bauble will give fans of Cricket and company a welcome update. Illustrations not seen by PW. Ages 7-up.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-5. Cricket Kaufman feels she's the "luckiest person alive." Her most recent fifth grade success, an "A" on a book report about Helen Keller, and an approaching spring-break trip to Washington, DC, with her best friend, Zoe, convince her it is so. Then a bet with the class pest, Lucas, causes her to fracture her ankle. But much to her surprise, vacation at home proves to be a chance to appreciate simple things such as negotiating stairs; making a new friend; tricking Lucas; and trying her hand at cross-stitch and drawing. She also enters a contest designing a postage stamp. Zoe returns with a bagful of souvenirs, and Cricket's parents decide a trip to the nation's capital that summer would be appropriate. Although she doesn't win the contest, Cricket still decides that everything good in her life makes her a winner. The spare, black-ink sketches portray telling facial expressions, adding interest to the story. Hurwitz is always consistent in style, characterization, and writing, and her latest offering runs true to form. The author's many fans will be quick to devour it.?Christina Dorr, Calcium Primary School, NY
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Beech Tree Books (April 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688166725
• ISBN-13: 978-0688166724
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,758,070 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pretty good, August 23, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Spring Break (Sweet Valley High, Super Edition) (Mass Market Paperback)

My name is Helen and I'm ten. I think this book is okay. I can understand Jessica sneaking off with Jean-Claude but her two-timing Marc is just too much. It would be more of Jessica if she started a fight with Marc, it's not going to hurt his feelings as much but I guess that's how the author wanted it. Anyway, Elizabeth isn't really what she is in other books. She's more of a half Jessica. Another thing is the book is much to predictable and you don't really need to read the whole book, the first chapter will tell you the whole book

4.0 out of 5 stars Spring Break by Johanna Hurwitz, June 28, 2003

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Spring Break (Paperback)

I like this book because it is very exciting and I really wanted to know what would happen. I was tempted to read while I was in my math class..Cricket's dream was to go to Washington D.C and finally her friend, Zoe invited her to go to Washington D.C during their spring break. But something bad happened so she missed her trip to Washington D.C with her friend. But she had fun staying at home. My favorite part was when her teacher asked Cricket whether she wanted to enter the contest and so I really wanted to know whether she would win or lose. And only one way to find out is to read it!!

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good, December 14, 2004

By 

Roxy Starr "Blondie97" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Spring Break (Sweet Valley High, Super Edition) (Mass Market Paperback)

Good. Rene is just a jerk I think Liz shouldn't have wasted so much time trying to get him to be nice to her. Jessica lying to Mark was kind of rude. I thought it was nice of Rene's friends to be nice to Liz. And it was funny when Steven found out who Feney really was. I also liked when we finally discovered why Rene was so mean. Good read, I recommend it most to French I,II, or III students probably.