What Jamie Saw (Newbery Honor Book)

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Summary: Not What I Expected From Newbery
Review: Before I say anything about What Jamie Saw, I want to say that Newbery is spelled N.E.W.B.E.R.Y.
First off, What Jamie Saw is way to detailed for the targeted reader. But, as usual, the two medals slapped on the cover lured me into reading it. The plot is unrealistic and, frankly, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who was to begin reading chapter books.

Rating:
Summary: What Jamie Saw
Review: The book I read was What Jamie Saw .I enjoyed the book for many reasons. The main reason I enjoyed the book was that it had a good story line that was very easy to follow. I felt the author did a good job writing the story, yet the author could have possibly used the character Van a little more. I feel the book reflects people's lives more than I know because in the book Van drank and hurt the baby. All in all I would recommend What Jamie Saw because of its content and how it was written. I can understand why it has been on the following book lists: Newbery Honor Book, 1996 National Book award finalist, ALA Notable Book, and Booklist Editors Choice. This selection is a good book for older readers and is a very enjoyable book.

Rating:
Summary: This book deals with child abuse.
Review: This book deals with the abusive behavior within a family. The family consists of a mother: Patty, a father: Van, a step-son of Van's: Jamie a 3rd grader, and a daughter of Van's: Nin a baby. Jamie wittnesses his step-father Van throwing his step-sister Nin across the room. His mother, Patty, immediately takes the children out of the house. It's freezing cold, December and Christmas is nearning. She is careful to bring warm clothes and blankets. She also brought the children's toys as well as Jamie's magic book. Jamie loves to perform magic.

A friend Earl helps them by giving them an old trailer in the woods to live in. The trailer has very little comforts. Patty has very little money. Jamie is kept out of school for several days while he and his mother cope with their situation. Patty tries to make ends meet by working part-time at the local A&P gorcery store. Jamie's teacher comes to find out why he's not in school and how she can help. She offers to keep! Jamie after school on Tuesdays so Patty can attend a self-help group.

The devestated family has very little to eat let alone spend on Christmas. Patty wants to make their Christmas enjoyable but can't afford to buy to much. The family decorates a small pine tree outside their trailer with makeshift oranments. Also, their friend Earl comes just before Christmas and brings a few gifts for them. Jamie gets a pair of ice skates. Earl and Jamie skate on a nearby pond. They have wonderful time. For a moment Jamie forgets his pain, forgets what he saw.

Jamie is sadden by his situation and lives in constant terror that Van will find them and hurt Nin. Jamie loves Nin and his mother and wants the pain to stop. Van locates the family and comes to make peace with them one day when Jamie is left alone to tend to Nin. Jamie is frieghtened that Van will break in the trailer door and hurt or possibly kill them. In desperation he hides a sleeping Nin under the only bed in the trailer, ! being careful not to wake her, for he fears her cries may a! lert Van to their presences. Van comes into the trailer and Jamie tries to act as if Nin isn't there. Jamie now fears that his mother will come home and Van will hurt her too, so he tries to distract Van by showing him magic tricks. Jamie loves to perform magic. His mother Patty comes home and finds Van in the trailer with her children. She demands that Van leave them alone. He leaves without incident and this is when Jamie, Nin, and Patty realize that they made the right the choice to leave a bad situation.

This book is heartwarming, but only at the end. It is descriptive when outlining the abusive situation; therefore, I recommend that a parent or teacher be present to answer any questions a child may have. Child abuse it something that is ever present in out society and must be dealt with. This book can faciliate a meaningful decision on the topic. Their is so much more to this book. It's only a 126 pages, but it says a lot. Enjoy!!!