Owen Foote, Second Grade Strongman - Hardcover

Greene, Stephanie

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0395720982 ISBN 13: 9780395720981

Publisher: Clarion Books, 1996

Synopsis

Owen, a second grader who is being teased for his small size, discovers that his friend Joseph is just as concerned about being overweight, and they share their fear of being humiliated by the school nurse on the annual weigh-in day.

About this title

About the Author

Stephanie Greene is the author of many books for young readers, including the popular Owen Foote books. Ms. Greene lives in Chapel Hill, N.C. Her website is www.stephaniegreenebooks.com.

Reviews

Grade 1-3?In the privacy of his bedroom, undersized, skinny Owen and his overweight friend, Joseph, share concerns about their bodies. Both boys hope that weightlifting and learning about Owen's grandfather, who was a professional strongman, will bring about some positive change. They dread the upcoming height-and-weight-chart day since the school nurse broadcasts each child's measurements and her opinions about them to everyone within earshot. This year, Owen is horrified to find himself standing up to her. Naturally, this results in a trip to the principal's office and reprimands from his parents, but he also has a quiet heart-to-heart talk with Mrs. Jackson that proves helpful to them both. In this delightful first novel, Greene demonstrates her understanding of second graders. Her realistic portrayal of school life is punctuated with lively, natural dialogue and conveys the humor as well as the concerns of seven-year-olds. Owen and Joseph are fully realized characters with a strong, supportive friendship. The author's light treatment of a subject of interest to children, as well as the short chapters and often comical black-and-white illustrations, make this an attractive choice for beginning chapter-book readers.?Maggie McEwen, Coffin Elementary School, Brunswick, ME
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Owen is scrawny and small, his best friend, Joseph, is fat, and both are worried about the upcoming height-and-weight chart day at school because the elderly school nurse, Mrs. Jackson, is prone to bellowing disparaging remarks about their bodies in front of everyone. When she starts humiliating Joseph, Owen speaks up to defend him, an act that brings both trouble and admiration. In her first book, Greene imparts some important messages, although it's unfortunate that the main characters are depicted lifting weights, a dangerous and unhealthy activity for children so young. But learning to speak up for oneself, even against adults, is a lesson rarely taught well, and one that is carried off perfectly here. Owen's parents aren't supportive, but Mrs. Jackson--eventually--is; wonderfully, she not only apologizes but asks Owen's opinion because she knows she can count on his honesty. A promising debut for a neglected age group. (Fiction. 6-8) -- Copyright ©1996, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Gr. 2^-3. A lighthearted illustrated chapter book dramatizes boys' intense concern with body size. Owen is the smallest in his class. He dreads height-and-weight chart day. Last year, the school nurse, Mrs. Jackson, called him a pipsqueak, and she said it at the top of her voice. This time, she tells his best friend, Joseph, that he's too fat. Owen defends his pal and tells her to keep her voice down. He's an instant hero with the kids, but he's in trouble with the principal and with his parents, until he apologizes to Mrs. Jackson. Surprisingly, she apologizes to him and admits she needs a hearing aid. The solutions are pat, especially the message that Owen's just a late developer who will grow up tall, but the telling is warm and funny, and the full-page pencil illustrations capture the confrontations and the affection among family, friends, and classmates. Hazel Rochman

Edition details

• Publisher: Clarion Books
• Publication date: 1996
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0395720982
• ISBN 13: 9780395720981
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Derosa Dee
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 96