Staying Nine [Hardcover]

Pam Conrad (Author), Mike Wimmer (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1988 | Age Level: 7 and up

Nine-year-old Heather doesn't want to turn ten until wacky Rosa Rita shows her that growing up isn't so bad.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Heather is perfectly happy being nineit's been her best year everand she doesn't want to turn 10. As if to prove her point, she insists on wearing the same clothes in the class picture as she did the year before. But by the end of the day, she is hot, cross and itchy because the clothes are too small. As her birthday draws near, Heather announces that she does not want a party, or cake, or presentsno fuss. Despite Heather's wishes, her mom decides to have a party anyway; there Heather discovers the advantages of growing older. An accomplished and versatile writer, Conrad ( Prairie Songs , Taking the Ferry Home ) has written about an independent and spunky heroine. If the theme is age-old, Conrad's handling of it is fresh andas alwayssurprising. Illustrations not seen by PW. Ages 7-10.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-5 A book that may have a limited audience. The large print and short sentences and chapters will attract children ready for their first chapter books, but the situation will appeal more to older children. Heather, nine, has had a wonderful year. Now her tenth birthday is close at hand, much to her dismay. She tries of number of ways to slow the march of timewearing last year's clothes for the school picture, climbing the door frame, refusing a birthday party. Finally, at an un-birthday party, 23-year-old Rosa Rita tells her that she tried to stay 11, and that, although it didn't work, she has managed to keep some of the good things of that year in her life. Reconciled at last, Heather settles down to enjoy her party and begins to look forward instead of back. While the story is slight, it is good humored and nicely presented, and should attract reluctant readers in grades three to five. Li Stark, North Castle Public Library, Armonk, N.Y.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Hardcover: 70 pages
• Publisher: Harpercollins Childrens Books; 1st edition (November 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060213191
• ISBN-13: 978-0060213190
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #446,431 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars OK., July 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Staying Nine (BookFestival) (Paperback)

this book was about a girl named heather and as her 10th birthday is nearing, she decides that she does not want to get any older so she decides to have an unbirthday party which includes...well no celebration at all! But when her uncle's girlfriend comes for a visit, Heather starts to change her mind.This is a nice book if you wanted to do a book report in a short amount of time or something you might take with you on a car trip, but other than that,it doesn't seem to appeal to many people. a good age limit for this is 8-10. I mean, some of the book is kind of kiddy. I must admit that the author does have kind of a sense of humor and she can keep the teeny boppers occupied.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars an excellent childrens book, even for teens!, June 26, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Staying Nine (BookFestival) (Paperback)

I am now a junior in high school and i read this book when I was in fourth grade. I found myself to relate with this book at that time. It is an excellent childrens book, even a very youthful teen might enjoy this book. I would recommend it to children of all ages.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book review by a 9 year old boy., May 4, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Staying Nine (BookFestival) (Paperback)

Well, it starts out slow but after the first page it gets exciting. I would recommend this to anybody that is just getting the hang of chapter books. It's a great story. I'm just 9 but I love to read for my brothers.