Valentine Frankenstein - Hardcover

Maggie Twohill

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0027896927 ISBN 13: 9780027896923

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, 1991

Synopsis

Worried that her friend Walter will only receive one Valentine, Amanda stuffs the Valentine's box with Valentine cards for him, but her kind gesture may turn likeable Walter into an arrogant pest. By the author of Superbowl Upset.

About this title

From Publishers Weekly:

Amanda is Walter's only friend, and she can't understand why. He's nice, smart--so what if his laugh sounds more like a snort? That seems insufficient reason for the other fifth-graders to ridicule him. His low self-esteem and extreme shyness underscore the problem that, with Valentine's Day approaching, Amanda decides to rectify. She stuffs the class mailbox with valentines for Walter, all signed anonymously. The results are amazing: Walter's persona changes instantly and his classmates all start to like him. At first Amanda is thrilled, until her friend becomes too busy for her. Has she created some sort of Frankenstein? Twohill ( Bigmouth ) explores the vagaries of popularity, the anguish of those wishing to achieve it and the wonders rendered by bolstering confidence. Though the premise is a bit far-fetched (that Walter could go from laughingstock to junior BMOC in the course of a few days), Amanda cuts a spirited, thoroughly human figure. Ages 8-11.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal:

. LC 90-24459. Grade 4-5-- When Amanda's unpopular friend, Walter, fears he won't receive any valentines, she secretly plots to insure that he gets more cards than anyone else. Her scheme is even more successful than she dreamed, and Walter's self-esteem skyrockets. He believes everyone in their fifth-grade class likes him, and they react likewise. His new popularity goes to his head, and he begins to ignore Amanda. She is torn between happiness for her idea's success and jealousy of Walter's newfound social status. Twohill has combined just the right amount of friendship and humor with a touch of boy/girl interest to create a readable, lighthearted story. Although the plot is predictable, the characters and situations are realistic and the result of Amanda's plan is hilarious. The ending is a bit too pat, but that won't matter to the young romantics who will enjoy this funny book. --Nancy P. Reeder, Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, Columbia, SC
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
• Publication date: 1991
• ISBN 10: 0027896927
• ISBN 13: 9780027896923
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 135