A Begonia for Miss Applebaum

Zindel, Paul

3.92

268 ratings by Goodreads

9780060268787: A Begonia for Miss Applebaum

ISBN 10: 0060268786 ISBN 13: 9780060268787

Publisher: HarperCollins, 1989

Discovering that their beloved former teacher Miss Applebaum is terminally ill, fifteen-year-old Henry and his friend Zelda accompany her on her excursions to the colorful parts of New York City and join her in confronting death with quiet courage.

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From the Publisher:

Henry and Zelda are stunned to discover that their favorite teacher, Miss Applebaum, won't be back at school teaching science. In fact, Miss Applebaum hasn't very long to live. When Henry and Zelda become the Saturday companions of their, beloved teacher, her exuberance for learning, having fun, and helping the homeless is contagious.

Their visits to Central Park, museums, and other places around New York City open an exciting new world to Zelda and Henry. But Miss Applebaum can't escape the inevitable. Will Henry and Zelda be able to carry out her last wish?

An ALA Best Book for Young Adults

From School Library Journal:

Grade 7-12-- Zindel skillfully weaves humor and suspense into his message that caring often means taking risks. In a dual-narrator format, high-school friends Henry and Zelda become Saturday companions to their beloved retired science teacher, Miss Applebaum. Despite her losing battle with cancer, Miss Applebaum exudes a contagious zest for learning, life, fun, and helping the homeless in New York City's Central Park. After encounters with Miss Applebaum's eccentric doctor and hostile niece, Henry and Zelda assume the role of protectors, attempting to get her better treatment and eventually carrying out her last request to be buried in Central Park. (This scene may be totally unbelievable to many readers.) By example, Miss Applebaum teaches Henry and Zelda that beauty and mystery are everywhere and that everyone has a responsibility to treasure and preserve the world around them. Henry and Zelda are a balanced pair of likable, forthright characters: Henry is impulsive and direct, while Zelda is cautious and emotional. The two are believably abosorbed by their close encounter with dying and death. A thought-provoking, well-paced, fresh addition to the Zindel collection. --Gerry Larson, Chewning Junior High School, Durham, N.C.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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