The Shiniest Rock of All

After being teased in class, Robert Morris Reynolds, a young boy with a speech impediment, decides to seek the help of a speech therapist, who offers him a shiny stone when he can say his name correctly

Grade 3-4-- Robert Morris Reynolds is a lively, mischievous fourth grader who hates his name (because he can't say his r's), haughty Ashley Alston, and his crabby neighbor Mrs. Snead. Although his speech problem does not prevent Robert from playing numerous practical jokes on Mrs. Snead or from mercilessly teasing Ashley at school, he never gets away with much. When he pushes Ashley too far, she razzes him about his speech, and the boy recognizes his need for tutorial help. Ms. Cooper loans him the shiniest rock Robert has ever seen with the understanding that it will be his when he can say his r's correctly. That rock gives him the confidence to get through the tough times that follow. The title and cover do little to inform readers about the theme or plot and may not attract the intended audience. Once into the book, however, children will enjoy Robert's escapades and sympathize with his difficulty and his fear of being different. The frequent use of dialogue will also appeal, especially the children's conversations, which are more realistic than the adults' stilted, wooden speech. The plot is fast moving but becomes disjointed midway with the introduction of a distracting subplot. Unfortunately, with little--if any--fiction about children with speech impediments for this level reader, there is a need for this adequate but forgettable story. --Maggie McEwen, formerly at Coffin Elem . School, Brunswick, ME
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Robert Reynolds hates his name because he cannot pronounce it correctly. Robert does not want his peers to know how much his speech defect bothers him; his parents, however, recognize their son's embarrassment and encourage him to see a speech therapist. As Robert confronts his difficulty, he begins to feel better about himself and to appreciate other people's problems as well as his own. This understanding enables the lad to begin a new friendship and rekindle an old one. Though this protagonist's discovery is significant, flat characters and insipid narrative mar his story. Still, readers may enjoy Robert's antics and Patterson's brand of humor. Ages 8-up.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Robert is out of sorts. The other kids keep teasing him because of a speech defect that turns his R`s to W`s--he can't even say his own name correctly (this is Virginia, where every syllable of ``Robert Morris Reynolds'' has significance); he keeps getting into trouble because cranky Mrs. Snead recognizes his voice so easily and because his distress makes him lash out with uncharacteristic anger. Fortunately, Robert's parents are both wise and sensible: choosing the right moment, his mom gets Robert to agree to go to a speech therapist, and he's soon on his way to earning the special rock the therapist promises him when he can say ``rock'' properly. Meanwhile, he's become more aware of others' feelings: after a dare sends him on a stiff hike with class fatty ``Chunkie,'' Robert decides to call him by his real nickname, ``Chuckie''; he has a rapprochement with his sister, and also works through some tricky moral issues after a former friend confesses that she has copied his answers on a quiz. In fact, too many of Robert's troubles are tidied up to be entirely believable, but that's a minor fault in a lively story with perceptively realized characters engaged in solving problems that are sure to be familiar to their fellow fourth graders. (Fiction. 8-11) -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.