|
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
Frequently Bought Together
Product Details
|
Product Description
Quill & Quire
At the beginning of this debut novel from Toronto’s Anna Kerz, young Jeremy has just moved with his mother from rural Nova Scotia to Toronto after the death of his father. Details of that tragedy are revealed slowly, but we find out right away that Jeremy is haunted by a terrifying nightmare, and is holding back a guilty secret about what happened in Nova Scotia – one he won’t talk about even to his mother. While Jeremy struggles with his past, he must also navigate the emotional challenges of a new school and a new city. Kerz’s past life as a teacher shines through in every classroom scene – especially those involving Aaron, one of Jeremy’s classmates. When Jeremy gets stuck with Aaron as his partner for a project involving mealworms, the story really comes alive. Aaron’s ADHD-type behavioural problems are described with such accuracy that he jumps right off the page, just as he jumps around the classroom. Aaron annoys everyone, including Jeremy and their miraculously patient teacher, Mr. Collins. Yet readers may welcome his appearances, because Kerz doesn’t depict her other characters with the same vividness. The adults in the story are two-dimensional, and even Jeremy could use a more fully developed dark side. Nor is the pat ending completely satisfying. But there is real, raw talent here, evident in the character of Aaron, and in the depiction of classroom life. The Mealworm Diaries is hopefully a step on the way to better things for Kerz.
Review
"This moving first novel deftly weaves...serious issues into a realistic depiction of an ordinary boy moving forward despite his loss and doing the right thing by his troubled classmate." (Kirkus Reviews 20091113)
"I devoured this book, and enjoyed every second of it...[I] was impressed that (even though heavier topics were covered) it was such a light, easy and entertaining read." (Once Upon a Bookshelf blog 20100701)
*no details* (Leaving the Library blog 20090401)
"The characters are multi-dimensional as they struggle not only to be cool, but nice. This is a satisfying read, and a good choice for younger students as they learn to get along with the other students in their class." (Victoria Times-Colonist 20090415)
"Sensitively written Highly recommend[ed]." (Canadian Children's Book News 20090220)
"Aaron's ADHD-type-behavioural problems are described with such accuracy that he jumps right off the page...There is real, raw talent here, evident in the character of Aaron, and in the depiction of classroom life." (Quill & Quire 20090610)
"Kerz effectively conveys the insular social dynamics of a grade-school classroom and presents winning portraits of Jeremy and his understanding family and teacher. Readers will enjoy this quiet story as they absorb its simple but timeless message about the importance of kindness." (Booklist 20090401)
"A finely crafted blend of humour, drama, and suspense. The measured and compelling revelation of Jeremy's dark secret is well balanced by scenes from his science and gym classes as well as the development of his relationship with Milly. The plot has some nice, realistic surprises and a satisfying as well as uplifting conclusion. Highly Recommended." (CM Magazine 20090401)
"A heartwarming story of friendship and kindness...A worthy read for public and school libraries." (Southwestern Ohio Young Adult Materials Review Group 20090615)
"Kerz has produced a sympathetic character in Jeremy, troubled by his self-imposed guilt over the death of his father...The social implications of Jeremy's secrets are staged realistically; the interactions at home, in the classroom, and on the playground ring true." (Resource Links 20091201)
"A wonderful, sensitive story...[the] characters extend understanding even to those who have not personally felt this hurt." (The Bookworm )
"Kerz does a wonderful job of connecting a mealworm's simple life with a child's incredibly complicated one, and she does so in a manner that appears effortless...A short and sweet novel about friendship, love, loss, and insects, Kerz has integrated a whole bunch of themes into one marvelous one about discovery." (A Patchwork of Books blog )
"There's a lot of boy-appeal here Themes of grief and loss, friendship, identity, and acceptance are all present and balanced against each other; no particular theme is superimposed too obviously over the others A worthwhile book for kids who are grieving, moving, or even struggling to deal with an annoying classmate." (NMRLS Youth Services Book Review )
"I devoured this book, and enjoyed every second of it...[I] was impressed that (even though heavier topics were covered) it was such a light, easy and entertaining read." (Once Upon a Bookshelf blog 20100701)
*no details* (Leaving the Library blog 20090401)
"The characters are multi-dimensional as they struggle not only to be cool, but nice. This is a satisfying read, and a good choice for younger students as they learn to get along with the other students in their class." (Victoria Times-Colonist 20090415)
"Sensitively written Highly recommend[ed]." (Canadian Children's Book News 20090220)
"Aaron's ADHD-type-behavioural problems are described with such accuracy that he jumps right off the page...There is real, raw talent here, evident in the character of Aaron, and in the depiction of classroom life." (Quill & Quire 20090610)
"Kerz effectively conveys the insular social dynamics of a grade-school classroom and presents winning portraits of Jeremy and his understanding family and teacher. Readers will enjoy this quiet story as they absorb its simple but timeless message about the importance of kindness." (Booklist 20090401)
"A finely crafted blend of humour, drama, and suspense. The measured and compelling revelation of Jeremy's dark secret is well balanced by scenes from his science and gym classes as well as the development of his relationship with Milly. The plot has some nice, realistic surprises and a satisfying as well as uplifting conclusion. Highly Recommended." (CM Magazine 20090401)
"A heartwarming story of friendship and kindness...A worthy read for public and school libraries." (Southwestern Ohio Young Adult Materials Review Group 20090615)
"Kerz has produced a sympathetic character in Jeremy, troubled by his self-imposed guilt over the death of his father...The social implications of Jeremy's secrets are staged realistically; the interactions at home, in the classroom, and on the playground ring true." (Resource Links 20091201)
"A wonderful, sensitive story...[the] characters extend understanding even to those who have not personally felt this hurt." (The Bookworm )
"Kerz does a wonderful job of connecting a mealworm's simple life with a child's incredibly complicated one, and she does so in a manner that appears effortless...A short and sweet novel about friendship, love, loss, and insects, Kerz has integrated a whole bunch of themes into one marvelous one about discovery." (A Patchwork of Books blog )
"There's a lot of boy-appeal here Themes of grief and loss, friendship, identity, and acceptance are all present and balanced against each other; no particular theme is superimposed too obviously over the others A worthwhile book for kids who are grieving, moving, or even struggling to deal with an annoying classmate." (NMRLS Youth Services Book Review )
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic,
A Kid's Review
This review is from: The Mealworm Diaries (Paperback)
Very good book. You can visualize easily what is happening as you read it. I would reccomend it to others. Its funny, emotional, happy and fun to read.
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
|
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
- Books > Children's Books > Issues > Moving
- Books > Children's Books > Literature > Action & Adventure
- Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Social Issues > Death & Dying
- Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Social Situations > Friendship
- Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Social Situations > Self-Esteem & Self-Respect
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
