Synopses & Reviews
Review
"Innovative illustrations add depth and texture to an evocative text." SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, starred
Review
"English's story is engaging...Steptoe's stunning, mixed-media illustrations make the boar soar." BOOKLIST
Review
"audiences will sympathize with the falling-out-with-a-friend blues even as they long for their own blue popsicles" BULLETIN OF THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN'S BOOKS
Review
"English has childhood spats down pat...both original and emotionally effective...full of movement and energy and joy...'So good!' " Kirkus Reviews
"audiences will sympathize with the falling-out-with-a-friend blues even as they long for their own blue popsicles" BULLETIN OF THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN'S BOOKS The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"high-energy collage illustrations...a satisfying summer story about community and friendship." THE HORN BOOK Horn Book
"Innovative illustrations add depth and texture to an evocative text." SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, starred School Library Journal, Starred
"English's story is engaging...Steptoe's stunning, mixed-media illustrations make the boar soar." BOOKLIST Booklist, ALA
Synopsis
It's the hottest, stickiest day of the summer. A fat-sun-in-the-sky day. An eating-ice-pops-on-the-porch day. And for Kishi and Renée, it's a best-friends-breakup day. Each girl sits on her own front porch, waiting for the other to apologize, even though they know they'll never speak to each other again, no matter how bored they get. But then the sounds of feet slapping the pavement and voices chanting double-dutch rhymes drift up the avenue, and neither one can resist going out in the street to play.
This lyrical friendship story, the first collaboration of two outstanding artists, pairs a rhythmic text with distinctive collage illustrations. Its subtle message about sharing and forgiveness will resonate with anyone who has ever experienced the ups and downs of being, and having, a best friend.
About the Author
Karen English is a second-grade teacher. Her books for young readers include the novel Francie, a Coretta Scott King Honor Book. This is her first for Clarion. She lives in Richmond, California.Javaka Steptoe is the compiler and illustrator of the Coretta Scott King Awardwinning poetry collection In Daddy's Arms I Am Tall and the author/illustrator of The Jones Family Express. For Clarion, he has illustrated A Pocketful of Poems by Nikki Grimes. He lives in Brooklyn, N.Y.