The last thing Rowena wants in her life right now is a cockatoo with a crook temper. She's got enough problems of her own. For a start, she's just spattered two hundred grown-ups with jelly and custard. But a crazy cockatoo, Ro discovers, can be just the friend she needs.
--This text refers to an alternate
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From Publishers Weekly
Two ebullient novels from Australia showcase an unusually engaging heroine who has an equally unusual condition: Rowena Batts, the new girl in school, can't speak. As she explains in a letter to her new classmates at the start of Blabber Mouth, "I was born with some bits missing from my throat. Apart from that, I'm completely normal." Longing for a friendly overture and having been humiliated straight away by the class bully, Rowena expects (correctly) that even greater embarrassment awaits her at the hands of her widowed father, an eccentric with a flair for making a spectacle of himself. In the sequel, Sticky Beak, Rowena's kind teacher, Ms. Dunning, has married Rowena's father and is pregnant. Rowena fears she'll be replaced in their affections by a more perfect sibling. Gleitzman (Two Weeks with the Queen) shows his comedic talent in both stories while also conveying Rowena's occasional, wrenching frustrations. Rowena's circumstances may be very particular, but her brio in surmounting an almost universal set of fears should win a wide audience indeed. Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From School Library Journal
Grade 4-6?In this sequel to Blabber Mouth (Harcourt, 1995), readers are reunited with rambunctious Rowena, who still communicates with flair despite being aphasic. As usual, she's in trouble. At a going-away party for her pregnant teacher, who is also her stepmother, she tosses a huge bowl of Jelly Custard Surprise over the guests. Everyone thinks it was a clumsy accident, but Rowena confides to her best friend that she threw the dessert on purpose, although she isn't sure why. Soon afterwards she rescues a mistreated cockatoo from the class cut-up, Darryn. This is where the plot takes a wide turn and nearly derails, as Gleitzman tries to draw a somewhat far-fetched and convoluted parallel between Rowena's fear of being replaced by a sibling who can speak and Darryn's wish to get rid of his pet because it doesn't talk. All gets back on track, though, as Rowena pursues this possibility with a zany plan that includes testing her father's love, rehabilitating Darryn, and mending fences with the disgruntled party guests. The satisfying conclusion reassures readers that, for the moment, Rowena is ready to take a place in her new family as daughter and big sister. Although sibling competition is explored in numerous other titles, Gleitzman provides a unique model of a youngster facing daily challenges with humor and determination.?Sarabeth Kalajian, Venice Public Library, FL
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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I reckon there's something wrong with me. Read the first page
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
The book was about a girl named Rowena Batts who was born mute so she used sign language and writing to comunicate. Rowena was given a Cockatoo which had been abused by its previous owner a boy named Darren Peck. The Cockatoo was quite distressed when he was given to Rowena. Rowena didn't like the cocky much at first because it contiued to destroy the house but over time she grew to love it.
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I think that it is a really funny book and the thing that Sticky says like 'Andrew's been sick in the fridge' makes it really funny. This is the third book that I have read by this author and it's the best yet. I am saving up my pocket money to buy more!
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.0 out of 5 stars
2 reviews
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
The book was good at times but tended to drag on a bit
Sep 14 1998
By A Customer
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
The book was about a girl named Rowena Batts who was born mute so she used sign language and writing to comunicate. Rowena was given a Cockatoo which had been abused by its previous owner a boy named Darren Peck. The Cockatoo was quite distressed when he was given to Rowena. Rowena didn't like the cocky much at first because it contiued to destroy the house but over time she grew to love it.
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
I loved it. Best read yet!
Mar 9 1998
By A Customer
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
I think that it is a really funny book and the thing that Sticky says like 'Andrew's been sick in the fridge' makes it really funny. This is the third book that I have read by this author and it's the best yet. I am saving up my pocket money to buy more!
›
Go to Amazon.com to see both reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
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