Tarantula Shoes [Paperback]

Tom Birdseye (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up

After moving from Arizona to Kentucky with his parents, his five-year-old twin brother and sister, and his pet tarantula, Fang, an eleven-year-old works creatively to earn the money for a special pair of basketball shoes that will help him feel accepted.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6-Ryan looks forward to being at the top of the elementary school ladder as a sixth grader, but a family move leaves him facing life at the bottom of the middle-school ranks instead. As an experienced basketball player, he hopes to win acceptance through sports, but his new friend Gordon convinces him that success depends on wearing the latest expensive basketball shoes. His parents agree to give him $40, so Ryan must earn the rest of the money himself. Odd jobs raise some cash, but he hits the big time-and learns some lessons-when he showcases his pet tarantula. Told in the first person, this well-written, often humorous story addresses the themes of conformity, peer pressure, and responsbility in a light, but authentic voice.
Elaine E. Knight, Lincoln Elementary Schools, IL
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

Gr. 3^-6. Moving from Arizona to Kentucky has upset 11-year-old Ryan O'Keefe, who worries about making friends and starting a new school. He's sure he can solve all his problems by purchasing a pair of Slam Dunk Sky Jumper basketball shoes (for $124.99, plus tax)--if only he can earn the money. With the help of a new friend, Gordon, and his pet tarantula, Fang, Ryan finally achieves his goal and even manages to put his purchase into proper perspective. Birdseye hits young adolescent concerns right on the mark, delivering his message with humor and empathy in a satisfying story that will appeal to middle-grade readers. Kay Weisman --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 142 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (May 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 014037955X
• ISBN-13: 978-0140379556
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,286,684 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Talking about "Tarantula Shoes.", April 7, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Tarantula Shoes (Hardcover)

"Tarantula Shoes" is great! Tom Birdseye is aWONDERFUL author. He makes you feel like you are there. When I read"Tatantula Shoes" I could really see how Ryan O'Keefe felt when moving and meeting new kids. I recommend this book because it is funny, but it also shows you real life problems and how to solve them.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars tarantula shoes, September 28, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Tarantula Shoes (Paperback)

"tarantula shoes" is very funny book. It is about a boy moves into a new town wants to be cool whith the other kids sohe trys to convince his parents to buy the shoes for him but there is just one problem they are 150$ so they say no. So he starts making events whith his tarantula to gain money but the spider was lost one day and blamed his friend and to find out what happens in the rest of the book youll need to read it.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars tarantula shoes, September 28, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Tarantula Shoes (Paperback)

"tarantula shoes" is very funny book. It is about a boy moves into a new town wants to be cool whith the other kids sohe trys to convince his parents to buy the shoes for him but there is just one problem they are 150$ so they say no. So he starts making events whith his tarantula to gain money but the spider was lost one day and blamed his friend and to find out what happens in the rest of the book youll need to read it.