Thames Doesn't Rhyme with James [Hardcover]

Paula Danziger (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 19, 1994 | Age Level: 11 and up

Kendra cannot wait for her trip to London with her parents, and for the chance to meet up with Frank Lee, the Wisconsin boy she had helped entertain last summer in New York City and who is also on his way to London with his family.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Danziger's witty sequel to Remember Me to Harold Square has all of the zip of that novel-plus the historically rich setting of London. Kendra Kaye and her family here embark on a joint Christmas vacation with Mr. and Mrs. Lee and their son Frank, Kendra's long-distance boyfriend. While taking in the sights of London and participating in a scavenger hunt (similar to the one staged in Remember Me), Kendra longs to spend time alone with Frank. But even in the presence of her younger brother and the children of her aunt's boyfriend, Kendra and Frank share lots of quick kisses-and manage to have a holiday to remember. Typically, Danziger laces her heroine's first-person narrative with an abundance of verbal sallies, quips and puns. The consistently droll repartee may not be entirely believable, but readers, who will be chuckling along, won't mind. Ages 10-14.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-8?In Remember Me to Harold Square (Delacorte, 1987), Kendra Kaye, her pesky little brother, and family friend and heartthrob Frank Lee completed a factual scavenger hunt (designed for them by their parents) in New York City. Now, joined by their aunt's boyfriends two children, they're set loose in London. Although the city seems wonderful, the adults' new list of things to find is impossibly long, and it's difficult for Kendra to sneak a few moments alone with Frank. To make matters worse, she discovers that they don't share the same interests. Most of the characterization is established in the first title, so this story will be more meaningful to those who have read it. Although the characters don't evolve much, Kendra discovers that relationships take work, and her parents begin to understand her need for independence. Danziger shines when she portrays the world through the eyes of a typical teen. So what if history and ambience are sometimes shoved out of the way by romance and teen angst? That's exactly what the target audience will love, and it just might be the prescription for luring them beyond the mall to the larger world.?Cindy Darling Codell, Clark Middle School, Winchester, KY
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 11 and up
  
• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Putnam Juvenile (October 19, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399225269
• ISBN-13: 978-0399225260
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,313,509 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Born in Washington, D.C., and raised in New York, Paula Danziger knew since second grade that she wanted to be a writer. Beginning her career as a teacher, Danziger taught at the junior high, high school, college levels. She received her Masters Degree in reading and during that time she wrote her first bestselling novel, The Cat Ate My Gymsuit. She returned to teaching, but the success of her book encouraged her to become a full-time writer. It was non-stop for Danziger since then. Among her titles are: the enormously popular Amber Brown books as well as Remember Me To Harold Square, The Divorce Express, and Can You Sue Your Parents For Malpractice?Danziger received numerous honors, including: Parent's Choice Awards, International Reading Association - Children's Book Council Awards, a IRA-CBC Children's Choice Award and many nominations for state reading and library association awards. Known as a flamboyantly funny and deeply honest writer and speaker, Paula Danziger knew how to relate to young readers at their level. She was vital, funny, and compassionate. She knew how kids felt, what made them laugh, what they wore, collected, read, and played with. From collecting novelty toys that would make any teacher cringe, to wearing jangly earrings, funky glasses and shoes covered with beads and sequins, Paula Danziger had a direct line into kids' hearts and funnybones. She will be missed always.In Paula's memory, The Amber Brown Fund has been established to bring authors and illustrators to schools and libraries which otherwise could not afford them. Donations may be sent to The Amber Brown Fund/ SCBWI Museum of Children's Books, 8271 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048. "I want people who want to become writers to read lots, write and rewrite lots, take acting lessons to learn about character development, observe people and not to be afraid of not being perfect. As for those people who don't want to be writers, I hope that you will always continue to read and also not be afraid of not being perfect." "I have two sets of heroes: One--bright, creative teachers, who manage to stay in the classroom. And, two--people who have difficult childhoods and manage to use the experiences to grow into caring, understanding adults."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow...., September 14, 2002

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Thames Doesn't Rhyme with James (Mass Market Paperback)

I really can't *believe* how good this book is. I must of read it 5 times in a week!
When Kendra goes to England, a "prize" for a scavanger hunt that she did along with her boyfriend Frank and brother O.K, she didn't know what to expect (her life is full of "what-ifs" which are listed in the book) but she *really* didn't expect what happened!
For one thing--this isn't a prize--it's a repeat! She hopes to be able to spend some time alone with Frank, who, as I mentioned, is her boyfriend, but lives in a different state than her,but they end up baby-sitting not ONLY O.K. but two other kids in another savanger hunt around London (sheesh...I still need to read the first one)!
They are having a terrible time with their "prize"...read the book to see what happens!

4.0 out of 5 stars Thames Doesn't Rhyme With James Review, June 1, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Thames Doesn't Rhyme With James (Paperback)

The Book "Thames Doesn't Rhyme With James" was pretty good. It is about a girl who is going to London, England with her family and another family and a boy she likes- Frank. They go to a lot of GREAT places! They don't want to go to the places that their parents would like them to, so they make their parents go to all the places they want to.READ READ READ!

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thames, July 10, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Thames Doesn't Rhyme with James (Mass Market Paperback)

Kendra Kaye thinks she is finally goingt to get some time ALONE with her boyfriend Frank, but her dad interfears with threm and dosent want theem to be alone. Plus they jusst planned the Serindipity Winter and now therwe are 2 more serindippidees, Emma age 8 and Colin age 10 that they have to keep an eye on during there winter. O.K. and colin have a great time but Kendra dosent know if shell EVER get time alone with Frank!