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keen23's review against another edition
4.0
It's like a trip on the way-back machine to read this book. I read it when I was little, and I know that even then a lot of the stuff they were talking about seemed strange- like girls wearing dresses to school every day, and your mother making your clothes. My oldest daughter is now 8, and in third grade, just like Ellen at the beginning of the book. So we decided to read it together. I looked up this book, and found out it was first published in 1952, making it even older than MY mother. Any way you look at it, this book is quaint. It may have been written as contemporary children's fiction, but it's become more historical. I'm glad that it has not been rewritten to be more "modern."
ajay913's review
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
bishop_504's review
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is a book that a read for a writing class.
I suspect that this book hooks child readers in immediately with Ellen’s secret in the very first couple pages. The writing style is simple enough for children to understand, without feeling overly condescending or belittling. Beverly Clearly has a respect for the child reader, and doesn’t overexplain ideas or use excessively simple language. One section that I thought was particularly skillfully done was the subtle definition of a leotard on page 5, “…interrupted Ellen, who was glad she knew that leotards were long, tight-fitting garments.” The entire definition of leotard is placed in the story without feeling out-of-place. The sentence furthers Ellen’s characterization of wanting to understand and fit in with her peers while sneakily providing a definition for a word that a child reader may not know.
I appreciated that, while Ellen lied and was unkind to her friend Austine, her inner monologue was remorseful and apologetic. The reader understands that Ellen is not trying to be a mean person. However, I wish that there was more growth from her by the end of the story. Throughout the book, Austine is always the one sticking up for Ellen or forgiving Ellen, but there is not really ever a moment where Ellen is able to repay her or help her in any way. Even the final resolution of the book involves Ellen ripping Austine’s dress before she apologizes for slapping her months prior. The best friends make up, but I cannot help but feel that this is not a representation of an equal friendship. Because Ellen is the protagonist and the reader understands the regret she has for her poor decisions, it is easier to excuse her misdeeds. However, I would argue that there is not enough outward work done on her part to make up for how she mistreated Austine. Perhaps she could have worked with her mother on making a new dress for Austine, or given her some kind of horse figurine as an apology present. Ultimately this plot point did not feel completely resolved to me, and the book ending felt abrupt.
The biggest strength of this book was Ellen’s stream-of-consciousness thoughts being shared with the reader. The reader is given incredible access to Ellen’s world, showing her happiness, frustration, and reasoning for all her actions. We understand why things like why she is so desperate to get a special beet to her teacher and why slapping the chalkboard erasers are vitally important to her. There is a wonderful window into her mind. One of my favorite passages regarding this is on page 57 when Ellen is being asked if she has ridden a horse before and accidentally misleads Austine, “It was true. She had ridden several times. If she had ridden twice she would have said a couple times. Three was several times, so she had told the truth… And then there was that other time when her father had paid a dime so she could ride a pony around in a circle inside a fence. It hadn’t been very exciting. The pony seemed tired, but Ellen had pretended it was galloping madly. Yes, it all added up to several times.” Here we are given a long explanation of Ellen’s thoughts and why what seems like a lie is not done so intentionally. However, Ellen does not clarify when it is clear Austine misunderstands her, and this is the beginning of a more intentional lie that gets away from her. Ellen’s decision not to come clean about her horse riding experience was not the right thing to do, but the reader has detailed insight into how she got herself trapped in this situation and can be sympathetic to her plight
I suspect that this book hooks child readers in immediately with Ellen’s secret in the very first couple pages. The writing style is simple enough for children to understand, without feeling overly condescending or belittling. Beverly Clearly has a respect for the child reader, and doesn’t overexplain ideas or use excessively simple language. One section that I thought was particularly skillfully done was the subtle definition of a leotard on page 5, “…interrupted Ellen, who was glad she knew that leotards were long, tight-fitting garments.” The entire definition of leotard is placed in the story without feeling out-of-place. The sentence furthers Ellen’s characterization of wanting to understand and fit in with her peers while sneakily providing a definition for a word that a child reader may not know.
I appreciated that, while Ellen lied and was unkind to her friend Austine, her inner monologue was remorseful and apologetic. The reader understands that Ellen is not trying to be a mean person. However, I wish that there was more growth from her by the end of the story. Throughout the book, Austine is always the one sticking up for Ellen or forgiving Ellen, but there is not really ever a moment where Ellen is able to repay her or help her in any way. Even the final resolution of the book involves Ellen ripping Austine’s dress before she apologizes for slapping her months prior. The best friends make up, but I cannot help but feel that this is not a representation of an equal friendship. Because Ellen is the protagonist and the reader understands the regret she has for her poor decisions, it is easier to excuse her misdeeds. However, I would argue that there is not enough outward work done on her part to make up for how she mistreated Austine. Perhaps she could have worked with her mother on making a new dress for Austine, or given her some kind of horse figurine as an apology present. Ultimately this plot point did not feel completely resolved to me, and the book ending felt abrupt.
The biggest strength of this book was Ellen’s stream-of-consciousness thoughts being shared with the reader. The reader is given incredible access to Ellen’s world, showing her happiness, frustration, and reasoning for all her actions. We understand why things like why she is so desperate to get a special beet to her teacher and why slapping the chalkboard erasers are vitally important to her. There is a wonderful window into her mind. One of my favorite passages regarding this is on page 57 when Ellen is being asked if she has ridden a horse before and accidentally misleads Austine, “It was true. She had ridden several times. If she had ridden twice she would have said a couple times. Three was several times, so she had told the truth… And then there was that other time when her father had paid a dime so she could ride a pony around in a circle inside a fence. It hadn’t been very exciting. The pony seemed tired, but Ellen had pretended it was galloping madly. Yes, it all added up to several times.” Here we are given a long explanation of Ellen’s thoughts and why what seems like a lie is not done so intentionally. However, Ellen does not clarify when it is clear Austine misunderstands her, and this is the beginning of a more intentional lie that gets away from her. Ellen’s decision not to come clean about her horse riding experience was not the right thing to do, but the reader has detailed insight into how she got herself trapped in this situation and can be sympathetic to her plight
coollibrarian's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
marzipan951's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
labunnywtf's review against another edition
4.0
I haven't read this in a few years. Still adorable, though the characters are still fairly unlikeable.
Beverly Cleary is actually really good with not so likeable characters. It's people kids actually grew up with. Heh.
I'm on a Cleary kick, btw.
Beverly Cleary is actually really good with not so likeable characters. It's people kids actually grew up with. Heh.
I'm on a Cleary kick, btw.
shelikesbig_books2's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
the_enobee's review
3.0
We gave my daughter a set of Beverly Cleary books for Christmas, and this is the first one she picked to read. I would have sworn I had never read this book before, but I had strong memories of the story coming back to me from the very start. It's a tribute to Beverly Cleary that this book she wrote and published in 1951 still keeps kids interested.
My 11-year old son noted that Beverly Cleary books are often realistic fiction wherein it takes forever for anything much to happen, and most of the happenings are dull, everyday occurrences. Yet, guess who was eavesdropping every chance and requesting updates when he missed our reading sessions? I love how irresistible Ms. Cleary's work is to this day.
Granted, Ellen Tebbits is not her best work or my favorite, but we enjoyed every minute of reading this and will gladly read the remainder of the set, which features all the Ramona, Henry Huggins, and Ralph S. Mouse books.
My 11-year old son noted that Beverly Cleary books are often realistic fiction wherein it takes forever for anything much to happen, and most of the happenings are dull, everyday occurrences. Yet, guess who was eavesdropping every chance and requesting updates when he missed our reading sessions? I love how irresistible Ms. Cleary's work is to this day.
Granted, Ellen Tebbits is not her best work or my favorite, but we enjoyed every minute of reading this and will gladly read the remainder of the set, which features all the Ramona, Henry Huggins, and Ralph S. Mouse books.
littleroseygirl's review
4.0
Beverly Cleary always manages to accurately capture the thoughts and antics of young children!
smallafterall's review
Here are some thoughts on reading this book to my kids:
http://www.smallafterall.com/2016/02/of-giant-beets-and-monkey-print-dresses.html
http://www.smallafterall.com/2016/02/of-giant-beets-and-monkey-print-dresses.html