Miriam Glassman

This story is fairly charming and easy situation to imagine going through as an intermediate student. The climax is somewhat lackluster though and doesn't match the character build up. It seems that when the character realizes that she doesn't need to be like her cousin because her cousin is self-absorbed, there isn't as much of an ah-ha as one would imagine.

Another issue I have is the fixation over a stuffed toy monkey which played a big role in the book. This particular scene, along with the reaction and actions of students felt quite young for the age of the portrayed students (4th grade).

The most memorable character is her teacher, who is a dynamic character who also tries to get the 4th grade students to realize they have many sides to themselves. Had she been more intwined in the story, and possibly the desire for a new identity to come after the teacher's discussion on identity, the story would have been better developed.

This might be a good book for a young girl who struggles with a sense of identity, without being an intense or graphic book. As far as curricular purposes, I don't think I would use it for much outside of introducing starting paragraphs for chapters (as it does good at setting up the "voice" element in storytelling). It'll be interesting to see how this book is received by students (I may be back to update my review) but I felt that the rising action events could have been more memorable.… (mais)

I absolutely loved this middle grade novel. Funny and touching and so real, with great characters and full of truth. With so much attention given to extreme bullying in the press, this book instead touches on something we all face in school: that kid who makes us feel that we are somehow less than others. Anyone reading CALL ME OKLAHOMA! will instantly relate to how Paige Turner feels when that snooty girl keeps putting her down, and readers will shout "Yee-haw!" as Paige figures things out and gains the strength she needs to truly be herself and be happy. So well done. I highly recommend this novel for kids, for classrooms and libraries!… (mais)

Hepzibah the witch finds her life transformed when her sister writes to inform her that, having taken up with an enchanting frog with no interest in children, she will be handing over her adopted human daughter (surrendered by the neighbors, as a penalty for stealing broccoli) on Halloween night. Naming the child Halloweena, Hepzibah becomes so wrapped up in caring for her new charge - digging up all the poison ivy around her tower, conjuring Lizard Tongue Teething Biscuits - that she had no more time for her nights out with the ghouls. Determined to raise Halloweena as a witch, Hepzibah keeps her isolated from the other human children, living nearby, until the Halloween that her now beloved daughter demands to know why she can't play with others like herself...

An entertaining holiday story with plenty of sweet (rather than scary) witchy appeal, Halloweena is also a clever tribute to various fairy-tale motifs - Halloweena's origins are clearly taken from Ranpunzel, the witches with whom Hepzibah consults coming from tales such as Hansel and Gretel and Sleeping Beauty - and a humorous look at an adopted child, and her efforts to find her place in the world. The pen, ink, and watercolor artwork by Victoria Roberts, a cartoonist with The New Yorker and The New York Times, have a quirky sensibility (love the dancing "chorus line" on the endpapers!) that suits the story. All in all, an engaging holiday tale, perfect for those who are looking for gentler Halloween fare.… (mais)