Zero Grandparents: A Jackson Friends Book [Bargain Price] [Hardcover]

Michelle Edwards (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2001

Mrs. Fennessey's second-grade class is planning a big celebration for Grandparents Day, and everyone's really excited about it- everyone except for Calliope James. Her best friends, Howie and Pa Lia, are bringing their grandmas. Even Stinky Stern's grandpa is coming. But Calliope's grandparents are no longer alive. How can she celebrate Grandparents Day without a grandparent?

In the second book of the Jackson Friends series, Michelle Edwards offers an ingenious solution to this emotional dilemma and provides an honest and insightful look at the challenges faced by children every day.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-2-Calliope James scrunches down in her seat when her teacher invites the second graders to bring their grandparents to school to celebrate Grandparents Day. Angry and wishing that she had a grandparent, the child hits on an idea that allows her to introduce her class to her late grandma, Flory Sophia Turnipseed. Young readers in the same predicament can learn from her creative solution. Edwards uses a light touch in portraying Calliope as a sensitive but realistic youngster just trying to fit in. Abundant black-and-white, full-page and spot illustrations, both realistic and fanciful, and done in pen and ink, ink wash, and white paint, make this beginning chapter book an excellent choice for newly independent readers.
Pat Leach, Lincoln City Libraries, NE
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 2-4. Calliope hopes the announcement her second-grade teacher is going to make is about a field trip. Instead, it concerns the school's upcoming Grandparents Day, when children bring their grandparents to school and introduce them to the class. Calliope, whose grandparents are dead, has no one to bring. Edwards' pen-and-ink art emphasizes Calliope's dejected feelings: snowflakes with frowns float down on the girl, who, in one picture, is shown within a large candy kiss, its tab reading "zero grandmas." It's a photo of her grandma, plainly showing characteristics Calliope inherited from her, that gives rise to a plan. Wrapped in a delicate shawl her grandmother made, Calliope courageously faces her class and tells them about her grandmother, who is right there with her in spirit and memory. Turning her frustration and sadness into triumph, Calliope sets a worthy example for young readers. Color art would have brightened the pages, but the manageable chapter-book text and real-life emotions make this a winning entry in the Jackson Friends Book series. Ellen Mandel
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 64 pages
• ISBN-10: 0152020837
• ASIN: B000H2M6BM
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,794,528 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Life-long knitter Michelle Edwards is the award winning author/illustrator of over 13 books for children, including CHICKEN MAN winner of National Jewish Book Award. Her illustrations have appeared in several shows of children's book art including the current "Monsters and Miracles", co-organized by the Skirball Cultural Center and the Eric Carle Museum. She is a monthly feature writer for the Lion Brand Yarn Company newsletter. A KNITTER'S HOME COMPANION is her first adult book.

Michelle was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut and grew up in Troy, New York. She studied at the Bazalel Art Academy in Jerusalem and earned an MFA in Printmaking from the University of Iowa. She lives with her family in Iowa City, Iowa.
More information is available at her website wwww.michelledwards.com/

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Keep them coming!, September 15, 2005

By 

A parent and reader - See all my reviews

This review is from: Zero Grandparents: A Jackson Friends Book (Paperback)

This welcome addition to the Jackson Friends series continues the warmth and humor of the first volume and creates a situation kids can empathize with.