Gloria Rising - Hardcover

Cameron, Ann

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0374326754 ISBN 13: 9780374326753

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR), 2002

Synopsis

Sequel to the popular Gloria’s Way

Sometimes it’s the little things that are really big. Gloria learns this when her mom sends her to the grocery store for an onion, and because of the onion she meets Dr. Grace Street, a famous astronaut. But how is she supposed to understand Dr. Street’s advice that the big things are not always as big as they seem – teacher troubles, for example? It’s only the beginning of fourth grade, and already Gloria has enormous teacher troubles! The Dragon of Doom, a.k.a. Mrs. Yardley, doesn’t seem to like Gloria, or anyone else for that matter – except for Billy Watkins, the class bully. Things go from bad to worse when Billy gets the whole class in trouble. Then a surprise school visit from Dr. Street reminds Gloria that she knows how to rise above her difficulties.

About this title

About the Author

Ann Cameron is the author of many books for children, including The Secret Life of Amanda K. Woods, a National Book Award finalist. She lives in Guatemala, Central America.

Lis Toft has illustrated two other books by Ann Cameron – Gloria’s Way and More Stories Huey Tells. She lives in England, on the Isle of Wight.

Reviews

Grades 2-4--Gloria, Julian's best friend from The Stories Julian Tells (Pantheon, 1981) and the main character of her own Gloria's Way (Farrar, 2000), takes center stage in this easy chapter book. In the summer before fourth grade, the girl has a serendipitous encounter with an astronaut, Dr. Grace Street, who gives her this important advice: "-be careful what you tell yourself-because whatever you tell yourself you're very likely to believe." Soon after this meeting, Gloria returns to school and her new teacher, "the Dragon of Doom," announces, "We are not going to have hamsters, turtles, or algae in jars. We are going to have flash cards." Mrs. Yardley's impression of Gloria and her classmates is immediately influenced by the antics of Billy Watkins, who appears blameless while the other students stand accused of his misdeeds. As much as she tries, Gloria cannot win her teacher's trust. When she reports on her chance meeting with the famous astronaut, Mrs. Yardley refuses to believe her and humiliates her in front of the class. Finally, Dr. Street pays a surprise visit and helps the teacher see the error of her ways. While this solution to a difficult situation is a bit too facile, readers will still identify with all involved and cheer when these appealing characters are satisfyingly vindicated. Toft's simply drawn but expressive pencil illustrations add just the right amount of visual support for those readers graduating to easy chapter books. Fans of Julian and Gloria won't be disappointed.
Alicia Eames, New York City Public Schools
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

The sequel to Gloria's Way, Gloria Rising by Ann Cameron, illus. by Lis Toft, starts out at the supermarket, where the fourth grader's chance encounter with Dr. Grace Street, a famous astronaut, leaves her pondering some sage advice.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Gr. 2-4. Cameron continues her series of books about African American friends Julian and Gloria by focusing again on Gloria, last seen in Gloria's Way (2000). Days before starting fourth grade, Gloria meets astronaut Dr. Grace Street in the supermarket and returns home determined to do well in school and follow in Dr. Street's career path. Unfortunately, Gloria's fourth-grade teacher is the humorless disciplinarian Mrs. Yardley, a.k.a. The Dragon of Doom, whose harsh judgments of her new class leave Gloria and her peers uncomfortable at school. Luckily, Dr. Street reappears and inspires even Mrs. Yardley with a speech about confronting fears and pursuing passions. The messages are heavy, and the dialog is sometimes stilted. But readers will connect with Gloria's fears and anger, and young astronaut wanna-bes will like the beautiful details about space. Toft's pencil sketches nicely capture both the action and the characters' emotions. Suggest this to children who are ready for chapter books. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Edition details

• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
• Publication date: 2002
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0374326754
• ISBN 13: 9780374326753
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Toft Lis
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 112