Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Bestiary by David Sedaris ★★★☆☆

Guilty Pleasure?

Fiction – Short Stories (Adult)

159 pages

Publication Date: 2010

Literary awards: Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Humor (2010)

A collection of dark animal fables illustrating the absurd in humans.

Opinion on this collection of irreverent short stories seems to be fairly divided.  With its offbeat dark humor and shock factor, this collection of short stories was either loved or hated by reviewers.  While not a series of comfortable, happy little stories with happy endings I rather enjoyed them.  Once I was able to get past my shock (somewhat due to all of children’s books I read about animals) I found it as funny as hell.  It was an interesting commentary on people and our interactions and idiosyncrasies and I enjoyed David Sedaris view of the world.  But I have to say it almost felt like a guilty pleasure.  While I read it I had the vague feeling it was naughty to laugh, but I wasn’t quite sure why.  Perhaps the mom-factor coupled with the fact it was animal stories made it a bit uncomfortable, but of course that was really the point.

 

Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli ★★★★☆

The Birth of a Legend

Fiction – Juvenile

Reading Level:  Age Range: 11 and up

184 pages

Publication Date:  1990

Literary awards: Newbery Medal (1991), Rebecca Caudill Young Reader's Book Award (1993), Charlotte Award (1992), Nene Award (1996), Massachusetts Children's Book Award (1993) Flicker Tale Children's Book Award (1992), Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award (1992), Pacific Northwest Library Association Young Reader's Choice Award (1993), Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis Nominee for Jugendbuch (2001), New Mexico Land of Enchantment Award (1993)

In a town divide by race, Jeffery Lionel “Maniac” Magee, shows up to defy the norm and birth a legend that crosses boundaries and breaks down barriers.

My class read this John Newberry Medal winner back when I was in 5^th grade, but I only vaguely remembered that I like it and a few other snippets from the story.  Wishing to refresh my memory and relive my childhood I settled in to read the tale of Maniac Magee.  From page one I fell under the spell of this story. Well-constructed, with a nice rhythm and very engaging writing the spirited and cheeky narrator regales you with story of Jeffery Magee and how he brought together a town.  Jeffery Magee is a lovable character who displays athleticism, strength, independence, depth of emotion and vulnerability.  His inability to see race makes him unique in a town where you’re race defines most of your life.  The author Spinelli uses this legend to dissect the issue of race versus just people in a relatable way that can span many ages.  I would say it is a very nice tool for helping younger children understand that we are all just people while giving its more mature readers a good quality, multi-layered story with depth to enjoy.

ISBN  0590452037 (ISBN13: 9780590452038)

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume ★★★☆☆

A classic kid’s book.

Fiction – Juvenile

Age Range: 7 and up

144 pages

Publication Date: 1972

Fudge #1

Literary awards: West Australian Young Readers' Book Award (WAYRBA) for Younger Readers (1980), Grand Canyon Reader Award (1977), Massachusetts Children's Book Award (1977), Sequoyah Book Award (1975), Pacific Northwest Library Association Young Reader's Choice Award (1975) Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award (1974)

Peter, as the oldest, must constantly deal with his little brother, Fudge’s antics.  Fudge won’t leave Dribble the turtle alone, is always getting into Peter’s room, wrecks school projects and finally does the unthinkable.  In the end Peter can’t decide whether he loves Fudge or hates him, though the scales seem to tip in favor of hate.

Fun, easy to read with a nice flow, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, is the story of the day-to-day trials and tribulation of nine-year-old Peter Hatcher.  From Shelia the cootie girl, babysitting mishaps and figuring out where he fits, with a spoiled little brother on a terror always overshadowing him, Peter navigates through the pitfalls of his life. 

Peter as the narrator gives the story a rather straightforward perspective and while in most cases he has a fairly astute assessment of the world his viewpoint is only really skewed in regard to parent’s love for him and his brother Fudge.   As a reader you can really feel for Peter.  His mother is overwhelmed and his father is rather unconnected to the day-to-day life of the family, while his brother is a bit out of control.  Peter’s parents are trying very hard to meet both of the boy’s needs, but Fudge-as a strong-willed toddler- does kind of suck up most of their time and energy, while Peter spends a good deal of time being used to manage his brother; unfortunately, a rather normal dynamic for some families. 

In its most basic form this entertaining little story is about the normal chaos and havoc of family life. 

ISBN  0142401013 (ISBN13: 9780142401019)