The ONE & ONLY CYNTHIA JANE THORNTON - Hardcover

Mills, Jane

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0027670902 ISBN 13: 9780027670905

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, 1986

Synopsis

Ten-year-old Cynthia Jane Thornton struggles to come to terms with her own sense of identity, worth, and talents when her younger sister, Lucy, an exceptional math and science student, joins Cynthia's class for those subjects

About this title

From School Library Journal:

Grade 4-6 A warm, humorous story about the fall and rise of ten-year-old Cynthia Jane's self-confidence. Having always thought she was the star of her class, especially as a writer, she is angry when her new teacher implies that her constant talking may be less than fascinating to others. She also begins to feel crowded when her younger sister, Lucy, is moved into some of her classes. It's a lonely time; old friends no longer seem right, and she sees the new girl in the class, who also writes, as serious competition. When a visiting author seems to like the new girl's poem better than her own, Cynthia hits bottom. However, plucky, resilient Cynthia does not stay down long. With some help from her family, she finds a sense of proportion and realizes that one can be talented and unique without being the world's greatest. Young readers will happily ride the roller coaster of emotions along with Cynthia, and would-be writers will appreciate her hard-won understanding of what it takes to create a poem. Virginia Golodetz, St. Michael's College, Winooski, Vt.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Publishers Weekly:

Cynthia is a fifth grader; Lucy, her sister, is in fourth. Cynthia wants to be a writer; Lucy, an astronomer. In a welcome switch from sibling rivalry stories, these two usually get along very well, throwing each other into hysterics over jokes that are funny only to them, and sharing Saturday morning chores. Then Lucy, advanced in some subjects, joins the fifth grade class for math and science. For the first time, Cynthia feels inhibited by her sister's presence. They've always dressed alike, but now, by agreement, they stop. Lucy finds a new friend; it's harder for Cynthia, who isn't interested in old chums Meg and Jo Ann anymore, and is jealous of the writing talent of a girl named Melissa because it rivals her own. She and Melissa do get together, though, when Cynthia understands that what is unique about herself can't be imitated by anyone else. Mills's conclusions are gently wrought, arising from typical fifth grade concerns; her portrayal of elementary school life is funny, moving and right on the mark.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
• Publication date: 1986
• ISBN 10: 0027670902
• ISBN 13: 9780027670905
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 110