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bookgirl4ever's review
3.0
Janie lives on the wrong side of town. Fed up with Janie's school, her mother, an amazing knitter, begins selling custom-made sweaters at a boutique. Mother makes enough money to move to a new apartment so Janie can have a better education and more opportunities. Janie finds herself among schoolmates who have a lot more than she does. She makes an honest attempt to fit in, yet the chip on her shoulder prevents her from becoming friends with the girl who sits next to her. When the boutique that is supposed to be selling her mom's sweaters returns all the sweaters and refuses her wares, Janie cannot afford the new winter clothes she is in dire need of. Janie makes a hard decision and learns to like who she is on the inside.
Middle elementary.
Middle elementary.
lee_hillshire's review against another edition
I would wear sweaters with other people's names on them too.
delaney572e4's review
I think about this book constantly. I read this book when I was in elementary school; I do not remember how much I liked it, but I cannot stop thinking about the concept. It haunts me.
zelma's review
3.0
I thought this was a really nice and age appropriate way to introduce social class and money issues. I also appreciated the wide range of attitudes and emotions; the main character was likable but not perfect, and she explored her emotions throughout the story in a believable way.
Course evaluation:
Personal Response: This was an interesting way to introduce social class and the discomfort people can feel when it comes to money matters. Janie is a very likable character and I rooted for her family’s success. The underlying message is important and presented in a creative way.
Evaluation: Although this book addresses social class and the discomfort people feel with money differences, children will relate to Janie’s worries about fitting in at school. All children have felt left out or different in some way; Janie’s preoccupation with how she appears to her classmates and the walls she puts up to protect herself will feel familiar to the reader. Janie’s perspective in the story also feels authentic; she isn’t reduced to a simple stereotype but instead works through many different feelings and reactions throughout the story, showing growth in how she responds to any problems that arise. Hamlin only includes a few drawings to accompany the text, but they effectively capture of the facial expressions of those around Janie and her own diverse emotions.
Course evaluation:
Personal Response: This was an interesting way to introduce social class and the discomfort people can feel when it comes to money matters. Janie is a very likable character and I rooted for her family’s success. The underlying message is important and presented in a creative way.
Evaluation: Although this book addresses social class and the discomfort people feel with money differences, children will relate to Janie’s worries about fitting in at school. All children have felt left out or different in some way; Janie’s preoccupation with how she appears to her classmates and the walls she puts up to protect herself will feel familiar to the reader. Janie’s perspective in the story also feels authentic; she isn’t reduced to a simple stereotype but instead works through many different feelings and reactions throughout the story, showing growth in how she responds to any problems that arise. Hamlin only includes a few drawings to accompany the text, but they effectively capture of the facial expressions of those around Janie and her own diverse emotions.
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