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libraryrobin's review against another edition
3.0
Fun story of two boys that spend a week with an elderly couple and go to day camp.
jessalynn_librarian's review against another edition
5.0
Picture book
For elementary grades
Buddies Eamon and James stay with grandparents and go to nature camp, having the best week ever in a funny book where the words and pictures tell slightly different stories.
Some picture books seem to exist just to remind us that the format isn't just for preschoolers. James and Eamon are old enough to spend a week away from home - with Eamon's grandparents - and go to nature camp (and have a secret handshake), and the book's readers should be old enough to "get" the humor of the book. The text tells us that James was "very sad when his mother drove away," but the picture shows us a cheerful boy yelling "bye!" The boys get sugar-highs, reject grandpa Bill's idea of visiting a penguin exhibit, make fun of nature camp, and practice quiet meditation (play video games), all very tongue-in-cheek and suited perfectly to Frazee's cheerful, quirky illustrations. Ultimately, though, the boys do end up enjoying nature - and find the perfect way to connect to the grandparents. This would be a great title to share with a child who's beyond the more babyish picture books, but still enjoys a good read-aloud or story time, or for a child who's learned to read but doesn't want to leave the picture book format behind.
Booklist's review hits the nail on the head, describing the energy and humor of the book as well as the fact that it's one of few picture books that show a friendship between two boys. The School Library Journal gives a good feel for the book, but recommends it for preschool-kindergarten, which seems too young an audience, compared to Booklist's more reasonable K-3rd grade.
August 2018 - Ben thought it was funny, although I think we were laughing at different things. I still love this book.
For elementary grades
Buddies Eamon and James stay with grandparents and go to nature camp, having the best week ever in a funny book where the words and pictures tell slightly different stories.
Some picture books seem to exist just to remind us that the format isn't just for preschoolers. James and Eamon are old enough to spend a week away from home - with Eamon's grandparents - and go to nature camp (and have a secret handshake), and the book's readers should be old enough to "get" the humor of the book. The text tells us that James was "very sad when his mother drove away," but the picture shows us a cheerful boy yelling "bye!" The boys get sugar-highs, reject grandpa Bill's idea of visiting a penguin exhibit, make fun of nature camp, and practice quiet meditation (play video games), all very tongue-in-cheek and suited perfectly to Frazee's cheerful, quirky illustrations. Ultimately, though, the boys do end up enjoying nature - and find the perfect way to connect to the grandparents. This would be a great title to share with a child who's beyond the more babyish picture books, but still enjoys a good read-aloud or story time, or for a child who's learned to read but doesn't want to leave the picture book format behind.
Booklist's review hits the nail on the head, describing the energy and humor of the book as well as the fact that it's one of few picture books that show a friendship between two boys. The School Library Journal gives a good feel for the book, but recommends it for preschool-kindergarten, which seems too young an audience, compared to Booklist's more reasonable K-3rd grade.
August 2018 - Ben thought it was funny, although I think we were laughing at different things. I still love this book.
itsme_lori's review against another edition
3.0
This is a fun book about two friends who spend a week together while attending summer camp. My 7 yr old son loves it. It's cute and funny but nothing exceptional. For me, it was just okay.
beththebookdragon's review against another edition
4.0
Humorously true-to-life story of two friends going to nature camp and staying with one boy's grandparents at night. Illustrations are great fun especially as they humorously elaborate on (or conflict with!) the main story. Ending is a little unexpected and most excellent.
Great as both a read-to (adults will enjoy it at least as much as kids) and as a read-on-my own for a second or third grader.
Great as both a read-to (adults will enjoy it at least as much as kids) and as a read-on-my own for a second or third grader.
backonthealex's review against another edition
4.0
This is a delightful tongue in cheek picture book about two friends, James and Eamon, who are signed up for a week at Nature Camp and who will be staying with Eamon’s grandparents Bill and Pam during camp. Bill is a real nature lover whose biggest desire is to go to Antarctica, but try as he might, he just can’t get “Jamon” (as he called the boys) interested beyond the coffee ice-cream icebergs with hard chocolate sauce on top that Pam gives them to eat. And when Bill invites Jamon to see a penguin exhibit, the boys opt for quiet meditation in front of video games in the basement. Careful readers will soon notice that all the text and illustrations plus speech balloons tell two different stories. The title of this book, A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever, may seem rather ironic, but once camp is over and the boys have so free time, they decide to do something especially for Bill, so may the title isn’t so off-base after all. Complimenting the story are Frazee’s humorous illustrations that really brings out the boy’s close friendship, their energy, their interests and disinterests, all of which will probably remind you a of few boys you may know. It is also a wonderful intergenerational story that I suspect all elicit a chuckle or two from grandparents recognize themselves in Pam and Bill.
bkwrm127's review against another edition
5.0
Marla Frazee knows boys! Any grandparent who has hosted a couple of boys for the summer will totally relate with this "Best Week Ever." James and Eamon stay with Eamon's grandparents while attending Summer Day Camp. They watch TV, make forts in the basement, eat banana waffles, and play with binoculars. But the hilarious illustrations tell the real story. This is a must read!
calistareads's review against another edition
4.0
This book is a lot of fun.
2 friends James and Eamon spend a week together at Eamon's grandparents house while they go to nature camp. They are funny kids and they get along great. It's cute to see them together. For being at nature camp, they sure spend a lot of time indoors, but they find the magic of nature the last day. They are also very interested in Antartica.
The nephew thought this book was a lot of fun. He loves to have video playing days. He found this book a fun buddy comedy (not his words). He loves to have friends over, but since he doesn't listen well it isn't easy to have friends over for him. It's a wild event. He gave this 3 stars. The niece thought the kids were kid and funny too. She also gave this 3 stars.
2 friends James and Eamon spend a week together at Eamon's grandparents house while they go to nature camp. They are funny kids and they get along great. It's cute to see them together. For being at nature camp, they sure spend a lot of time indoors, but they find the magic of nature the last day. They are also very interested in Antartica.
The nephew thought this book was a lot of fun. He loves to have video playing days. He found this book a fun buddy comedy (not his words). He loves to have friends over, but since he doesn't listen well it isn't easy to have friends over for him. It's a wild event. He gave this 3 stars. The niece thought the kids were kid and funny too. She also gave this 3 stars.