One of the Problems of Everett Anderson - Hardcover

Clifton, Lucille

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0805052011 ISBN 13: 9780805052015

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR), 2001

Synopsis

A sensitive exploration of a difficult problem by an award winning author/illustrator team.

"One day in school, just out of the blue,"
Everett whispers, "Greg started to cry,
and I went over to ask him why

and he looked up and sighed,
'I can't tell you.'
And he had the saddest, saddest face
like he was lost in the loneliest place."

Everett Anderson doesn't know what to do when his friend Greg comes to school with bruises, or when Greg cries and can't explain what's wrong. Should Everett tell the teacher, or would that only make things worse for Greg? Everett's sister thinks maybe it's none of their business, but he can't stop worrying about his friend. Then, when Everett Anderson tells his mother, he opens a window of possibility.

This tender story perfectly evokes the confusion, concern--and eventual hope--one little boy feels in the face of a very difficult problem.

About this title

About the Author:

Lucille Clifton, poet, storyteller, college professor, mother of six and grandmother of four, is the author of many books for young readers. She has written eight books featuring the character Everett Anderson. Everett Anderson's Goodbye is a Coretta Scott King Award winner. Ms. Clifton lives in Maryland.

Ann Grifalconi has created more than 50 books for children. She is well known for her Caldecott Honor book, The Village of Round and Square Houses, as well as The Jazz Man, a Newbery Honor book written by her mother, Mary Weik. Ms. Grifalconi lives in New York.

From Booklist:

Ages 4-8. Everett Anderson is a thinker. This time, he's troubled about his best friend, Greg, who seems to have a new bruise every day. Perhaps he falls down the stairs a lot. But every day? Everett isn't sure if he should tell a grown-up; his big sister says it's none of his business. But Everett's mother senses something wrong, and she manages to get Everett to confess that he'd seen Greg cry in school. This tender, understated book, the eighth in the series about Everett, introduces a subject that all kids need to be aware of. Clifton's gentle text never says in exact words what has happened to Greg, but adults reading to young children will be able to clarify what has taken place, and then talk about child abuse--what it means for Greg, of course, but also what it means for Everett, who senses that something is wrong but has no idea what to do about it. Grifalconi's soft charcoal illustrations give depth to the text, adding to the somber tone, yet evoking a sense of a brighter future for Greg. A difficult subject for children is made more understandable by presenting it through a caring young friend's perspective. Shelley Townsend-Hudson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About this edition

• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0805052011
• ISBN 13: 9780805052015
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Grifalconi Ann