Jasper John Dooley: Left Behind. by Caroline Adderson. March 1, 2013. Kids Can Press. 130 pages. ISBN: 9781554535798
Jasper John Dooley is used to spending every Wednesday afternoon with his grandmother, Nan, but when she goes on a senior cruise for a week, he finds himself feeling totally abandoned. Though his parents try their best to keep him busy and upbeat, Jasper keeps thinking about what his grandmother must be doing in Alaska, and whether she is thinking of him. In this difficult week, Jasper also accidentally staples a paper to himself, meets a dreaded new babysitter, and brings home the class hamster, only to lose him somewhere in the house.
I liked the first Jasper John Dooley book very much, but this one was even better. This time around, I felt like I got a great sense of Jasper’s quirky personality and his unique outlook on life. Kids who are attached to their grandparents, or who have ever been forced to endure any kind of separation from a beloved family member will sympathize strongly with Jasper and will be as anxious as he is for Nan’s return. Kids will also love Jasper’s obsession with band-aids, as so many kids share that same fascination, and I imagine they will be equal parts amused and horrified at the moment when he accidentally staples himself.
Though Jasper John is obviously in early elementary school, I think kids as young as four can appreciate his outlook on life and enjoy reading about his experiences. The chapters in this book - and the book itself - are short enough to suit the attention spans of preschoolers who have begun listening to chapter books at bedtime, as well as the reading ability of newly independent readers. Jasper John Dooley’s personality will be especially welcomed by fans of Martin Bridge, Ellray Jakes, and Alvin Ho.
I borrowed Jasper John Dooley: Left Behind from my local public library.
For more about this book, visit Goodreads and Worldcat.
0 Comments on Review: Jasper John Dooley: Left Behind by Caroline Adderson as of 1/1/1900
Add a Comment