Sun and Spoon [Paperback]

Kevin Henkes (Author)

Book Description

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

It's been only two months since Spoon Gilmore's grandmother died, but already he's worried that he'll forget her. He needs to own something of Gran's, something special. But Spoon's little sister, Joanie, won't give him time alone to think, even when they go to their grandfather's house. What happens there will stay with readers long after they finish Sun & Spoon. Kevin Henkes's innate understanding of childhood illuminates his work with a rare glow. " Henkes offers another meticulously crafted, quietly engaging epiphany...Infused with the same good humor, wisdom, and respect for children's hearts and minds that characterize all his works." -- Kirkus Reviews, pointer review " Once again, Henkes captures young angst with respect and honesty....Images of supportive parents and love between generations shine through." -- School Library Journal, starred review

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Ten-year-old Spoon Gilmore is consumed with one worry--that he will forget his beloved, recently deceased grandmother. The solution, he decides, is to somehow find a memento, something that he can touch and hold close so that her memory will live forever. The trouble begins when Spoon steals the memento (his grandmother's special solitaire deck of cards) from his grandfather's house. At first the cards give him the reassurance he longed for. But soon after, Spoon's grandfather confides that he too was finding comfort in the deck of cards and is now suffering from insomnia, fretting over what could have happened to them. Kevin Henkes drives this story with unusual characters, such as Spoon's eccentric younger sister who carries suitcases full of twigs, and Spoon himself, a complicated boy grappling with guilt and loss. With the finesse of a polished novelist, Henkes also introduces an abundance of delicious metaphors--his parents' vegetable garden (their nurturing and grounded ways); his grandmother's sun collection (a constant life force); a deck of solitaire cards (the solo journey of grief), and on it goes. But most impressive is Henkes's compassion for the painful mistakes that children often make while trying to sort out the inevitably disturbing emotions and events of childhood. American Bookseller Pick of the Lists, Publishers Weekly Best Book, School Library Journal Best Book. (Ages 9 to 12) --Gail Hudson --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Publishers Weekly

"Ten-year-old Spoon Gilmore's grandmother has just died, but her presence is strongly felt throughout this exceptionally moving novel about grief and rejuvenation," said PW in a boxed review. Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (October 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0141300957
• ISBN-13: 978-0141300955
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,013,615 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Kevin Henkes is the creator of many distinguished books for children, including Kitten's First Full Moon (winner of the Caldecott Medal), Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, and Chrysanthemum. His novels for young people include Olive's Ocean (a Newbery Honor Book) and Bird Lake Moon.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the most affecting, excellent books for young people!, June 6, 2000

By 

Timothy Capehart "Review-a-holic" (Dayton, Ohio USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sun and Spoon (Paperback)

I am a sap. I admit it. I get weepy when one of those touching television commercials comes on. Disney movies can get me too. Those are visual images, though. Books have never gotten to me in the same way. I sold books for six years and am now a Children's Librarian...so I read and have always read A LOT. Only two books have ever made me cry.

This one made me weep. It is a thing of beauty. The prose is spare and poetic. The characters breathe from their first appearance. The story is so real, so well handled. I don't think anyone could read this short novel and come away unaffected. There is a wonderful network of symbols at work in this book...but you don't have to analize them in order to enjoy meeting Spoon and his family...to feel the depth of his relationship with both his grandparents...and glimpse with him the depth of his grandparent's relationship with each other. Excellent reading for any age reader!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is really really GREAT book, December 10, 1999

By 

Mandy (Osawatomie, Kansas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sun and Spoon (Paperback)

Sun and Spoon is a really good book for 7 to 19 year olds to enjoy alot. Sun and Spoon is a story, where their grandmother dies, and a boy named Spoon that's looking for something of hers to keep to remember her by. Sun and Spoon is about a sister and brother fighting but also how they make again. It's about stealing a deck of sun cards that belong to his grandmother. But giving them back after awhile. It's about lieing to his grandfather about the deck of cards. It's about collecting stuff after a nice stormy rain fall. Sun and Spoon is about giving people things to remeber somebody by. It's about helping famliy out and spening time with them evey day. So if you like to read books about family then you should get Sun and Spoon. It's a really, really good book to read, especialy at a young age.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lessons Learned, April 24, 2001

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Sun and Spoon (Paperback)

Kevin Henke did again. He made another one of his spectacular books. Sun and Spoon is a great book for children. It teaches kids honesty, friendship, and family. It talks about a boy who hardly knew a thing about his grandma. Then when he wanted to know a little about her it was to late, she had died. This taught me that I should spend time with older people in my family, especially my great aunt and uncle. That's why I go to their house every other week. This book had a big impact on me and it might do the same to you