Suitcase (Hardcover)

by Mildred Pitts Walter (Author), Teresa Flavin (Illustrator) "Hey, Suitcase! Wait up" Ronnie called..." (more)
Key Phrases: jumping rope, Alexander Bingham, Satchel Paige, City Spirit Art Festival

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Xander's fellow sixth-graders and his perfect older sister Brandy taunt the artistic 11-year-old by calling him "Suitcase" and "See-more" because he's a gangly six feet two inches tall and wears a size 13 shoe. But his father's disappointment in a son who loves to draw and is always picked last at basketball stings more than his peers' jabs. With the exception of the likable Xander, the adult characters prove more compelling than the roundup of usual suspects in the elementary school cast. Into this mix, Walter (Justin and the Best Biscuits in the World) injects two powerful mentors: Mrs. Cloud, the fine arts teacher, and Jeff, the insightful coach who ultimately helps him find his own game. Although Walter maintains a buoyant tone, she also delivers some painful family truths in an authentically offhand way, such as when Xander's mother jokingly tells him that his father "thinks you're lazy and don't want to ruin your long, slender artist's fingers." Flavin's black-and-white drawings softly chronicle Xander's transformation into confidence and ease. Readers will cheer for Xander as he develops his talents, manages to please both his father and himself, and sends his self-doubt packing. Ages 8-up. (Oct.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
Grade 3-6-An 11-year-old African-American boy struggles to gain self-esteem and to earn his father's love and respect. Xander is tall for his age and his dad expects him to excel at basketball, but the boy's passion in life is for art. Xander's peers, and even his sister, ridicule him because of his height and his clumsiness on the basketball court. However, he works hard to gain mastery over his awkward body, and finally achieves a degree of success as an athlete. In the process, he discovers that his father loves him and supports his artistic endeavors as well. Walter does a splendid job of drawing readers into Xander's mind and heart, and of creating characterization and setting. The plot moves well, and the sports action and the child's personal struggles should sustain the interest of even reluctant readers. The prose successfully brings the emotions of the young protagonist to life. The author develops the novel's theme with skill and subtlety, showing that persistence and being true to oneself ultimately bring success.
Paul Kelsey, East Baton Rouge Parish Public Library, LA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (October 27, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688165478
• ISBN-13: 978-0688165475
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,413,043 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Suitcase, November 26, 2002

A Kid's Review

I am a fifth grade student at Waldron Mercy Academy (AJPH.) This book is about an eleven year old boy who is over 6 feet tall and can't play basketball. Everyone calls him Xander. Kids make fun of him because he stinks at basketball and because he is tall. He is always the last one picked for basketball. His dad tells him every day to practice basketball, but he doesn't. Xander is frusterated because kids make fun of him and his dad telling him every day to practice basketball. So instead of him playing basketball he enters the City Spirit Art Festival Competition and won first prize. His whole family was proud of him. After the art festival no one made fun of him again. Everyone was so happy at school because he raised so much money.