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All of the Above

by Shelley Pearsall

All of the Above Cover

 

Review-A-Day

"Every voice in All of the Above sounds authentic. And, like each of the 16,384 smaller tetrahedrons required to break the world record, each one is integral to the building process....Pearsall deftly suggests the connections between math and real life — connections which add poignancy and depth to her tale. But at least one equation in All of the Above, is quite simple: Seven characters + lots of heart = one really good novel." Jenny Sawyer, The Christian Science Monitor (read the entire CSM review)

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

Based on a true story, All of the Above is the delightful and suspenseful story of four inner city students and their quest to build the world's largest tetrahedron. Weaving together the stories of the kids, their teachers, and the community that surrounds them, award-winning author Shelley Pearsall has written a vividly engaging story about the human spirit. Filled with unexpected humor, poignant characters and quiet brilliance, All of the Above is a surprising gem.

Review:

"Pearsall's (Crooked River) engaging multi-voiced narrative presents an inspiring account (based on a true event) of four African-American seventh-graders who wind up in an after-school math club in Cleveland, Oh. Their white teacher, Mr. Collins, begins with a vague hope: that some of his class might lose their apathy by working together to build a Stage 7 tetrahedron composed of 16,384 pieces (besting a California school's Stage 6 construction). He offers a passing grade to James Harris III, an angry student flunking math, if he will help with the project. Outgoing Marcel's hardworking father (owner of the local Willy Q's Barbecue) curtails his son's participation because he needs his son's labor. Sharice, bright and sociable, makes helpful lists, organizes their Christmas party, yet suffers privately, severely neglected by 'foster non-parent #5.' Shy, smart Rhondell wonders if Mr. Collins's contest will bring her dream of college closer. Mr. Collins is no super-teacher-just a 20-year veteran trying to inspire a rowdy, at-risk class. The kids struggle with daunting problems, but they embrace the challenge. When vandals destroy their work-in-progress, they are devastated. It's the unlikely James who reinvigorates the group, using his artistic talents to guide the tetrahedron's color scheme. The kids (aided by Willy G and Rhondell's Aunt Asia's beauty salon colleagues) work into July to triumph. Seasoned with recipes from Willy G's, this tale sparkles as it unifies voices of pride, determination and hope. Ages 8-12." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Review:

"Pearsall has a knack for creating strong narratives and characters that eschew predictability. While this solid, multivoiced offering is a hopeful one, the action is realistically gritty and true to its inner-city setting." School Library Journal

Review:

"The authentic voices of the students and the well-intentioned, supportive adults surrounding them illustrate all that is good about schools, family, friendship, and community." Booklist

Review:

"Smart and fast-paced, this story inspires as well as entertains." Kirkus Reviews

Synopsis:

Based on a true story, this ALA Notable Book tells the delightful and suspenseful story of four inner city students and their quest to build the worlds largest tetrahedron. Illustrations.

About the Author

A former teacher and museum historian, Shelley Pearsall is now a full-time writer. Her first novel, Trouble Don't Last, won the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction. She lives in Silver Lake, Ohio.

Product Details

ISBN:
9780316115247
Publisher:
Little Brown and Company
Subject:
City and town life
Illustrator:
Steptoe, Javaka
Author:
Pearsall, Shelley
Subject:
School & Education
Subject:
Concepts - Size & Shape
Subject:
Family problems
Subject:
People & Places - United States - African-American
Subject:
Social Issues - General
Subject:
Social Issues - Values
Subject:
Family
Publication Date:
September 2006
Binding:
Hardcover
Language:
English
Illustrations:
Y
Pages:
234
Dimensions:
7.96x5.52x.94 in. .73 lbs.
Age Level:
08-12
All of the Above
0 stars - 0 reviews
$ In Stock
Product details 234 pages Little, Brown Young Readers - English 9780316115247 Reviews:
"Publishers Weekly Review" by , "Pearsall's (Crooked River) engaging multi-voiced narrative presents an inspiring account (based on a true event) of four African-American seventh-graders who wind up in an after-school math club in Cleveland, Oh. Their white teacher, Mr. Collins, begins with a vague hope: that some of his class might lose their apathy by working together to build a Stage 7 tetrahedron composed of 16,384 pieces (besting a California school's Stage 6 construction). He offers a passing grade to James Harris III, an angry student flunking math, if he will help with the project. Outgoing Marcel's hardworking father (owner of the local Willy Q's Barbecue) curtails his son's participation because he needs his son's labor. Sharice, bright and sociable, makes helpful lists, organizes their Christmas party, yet suffers privately, severely neglected by 'foster non-parent #5.' Shy, smart Rhondell wonders if Mr. Collins's contest will bring her dream of college closer. Mr. Collins is no super-teacher-just a 20-year veteran trying to inspire a rowdy, at-risk class. The kids struggle with daunting problems, but they embrace the challenge. When vandals destroy their work-in-progress, they are devastated. It's the unlikely James who reinvigorates the group, using his artistic talents to guide the tetrahedron's color scheme. The kids (aided by Willy G and Rhondell's Aunt Asia's beauty salon colleagues) work into July to triumph. Seasoned with recipes from Willy G's, this tale sparkles as it unifies voices of pride, determination and hope. Ages 8-12." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)
"Review A Day" by , "Every voice in All of the Above sounds authentic. And, like each of the 16,384 smaller tetrahedrons required to break the world record, each one is integral to the building process....Pearsall deftly suggests the connections between math and real life — connections which add poignancy and depth to her tale. But at least one equation in All of the Above, is quite simple: Seven characters + lots of heart = one really good novel." (read the entire CSM review)
"Review" by , "Pearsall has a knack for creating strong narratives and characters that eschew predictability. While this solid, multivoiced offering is a hopeful one, the action is realistically gritty and true to its inner-city setting."
"Review" by , "The authentic voices of the students and the well-intentioned, supportive adults surrounding them illustrate all that is good about schools, family, friendship, and community."
"Review" by , "Smart and fast-paced, this story inspires as well as entertains."
"Synopsis" by , Based on a true story, this ALA Notable Book tells the delightful and suspenseful story of four inner city students and their quest to build the worlds largest tetrahedron. Illustrations.

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