Reviews (7)

An old favorite
I purchased this book at a library book fair in the second grade. After one reading, I fell in love with the goofy pictures (I like Kate's hair and messy bedroom) and poetry.It combined poetry and pictures, my two favorite things in a book at that time. Over many years, I have gotten rid of the old books of my childhood, but I have never parted with this one. I take it off the shelf about once a year and read it(since I was seven I've read it ten times). I can empathize with Kate and her love of books, spats with her mother, and her dislike of interpreting poetry.Even though I am not Jewish like Kate, after reading the Diary of Anne Frank like her friend, I felt Jewish too. I also write poetry, but they are usually about my cat and nature. After reading this book many times, my love for Hey World, Here I Am! has never faded.

Childhood nostalgia that stands the test of time
I was about eight years old when my mom first brought this book home for me.I was so thrilled because I shared the name of the character in the book, Kate.I absolutely devoured the book, enjoying it more for the humor Jean Little displays impeccably in her writing, and the utter appropriateness of Sue Truedell's wonderful illustrations.Later, when I was a teenager, I went back and read the poems again because they seemed to describe the utter tumult and solitude that I felt during such a trying time.Poems like "Today," "Alone," and "Yesterday" capture perfectly feelings and emotions that nobody ever thinks to capture, yet Ms. Little does it in such a fabulous way that one instantly understands just what kind of mood she is describing.Now that I am a young woman, near to having a family of my own, I treasure my battered old copy of this book, nearly worn to pieces from repeated readings.Even today I can still find wisdom in every poem and piece of prose.The writer, Jean Little, is blind; I can only say it has sharpened her other senses and her intuition of basic human emotion powerfully.Bravo!

Great for Classroom Use!
I discovered this little book while gathering material for my Grades 5/6 poetry unit.Jean Little captures large truths in small poems. Many students, girls particularly, found themselves in several of the selections.One small poem about War has become my introduction for my Remembrance Day unit this year. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Canadian poetry    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children's poetry, Canadian    4. Children: Grades 4-6    5. Humorous Stories    6. Short stories    7. Social Issues - Emotions & Feelings    8. Fiction    9. Juvenile Nonfiction / Language Arts / Composition & Creative Writing    10. Sociology & social issues   

Subjects:  1. Bashfulness    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 1-2    4. Fiction    5. Friendship    6. Juvenile Easy Readers    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Magic    9. Readers - Beginner    10. School & Education    11. Social Issues - Emotions & Feelings    12. Social Issues - Friendship    13. English    14. English language early readers    15. Juvenile Fiction / Social Situations / Friendship   

Subjects:  1. Baseball    2. Children: Kindergarten    3. Fiction    4. Grandmothers    5. Early learning / early learning concepts   

Reviews (1)

Fantastic for early readers!

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Subjects:  1. Allergy    2. Animals - Pets    3. Animals - Reptiles & Amphibians    4. Brothers and sisters    5. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    6. Children: Grades 3-4    7. Family - Siblings    8. Fiction    9. Juvenile Easy Readers    10. Juvenile Fiction    11. Lizards as pets    12. Pets    13. Readers - Beginner    14. Juvenile Fiction / Readers / Beginner   

Reviews (7)

A Dream Come True
"Mine for Keeps", by Jean Little, is a great story about friendship you can't miss.It's a story about a girl, Sarah Copeland (Sal), who suffers of cerebral palsy (faulty development or damage to motor areas in the brain).She had always dreamed of going home with her family, but when her dream came true, she wished she had never wished for that.Sal has to overcome many obstacles: make new friends, adapt to her new home, and to not look bad in front of others.It is a story about friendship you can't miss, where a girl who use to be scared of everything-dogs, people, school, even dressing herself, finds friendship in a dog.It is a story with an ending that will leave you pleased.

A child with Cerebal Palsy...
Jean Little does an excellent job in explaining the life of a little girl by the name of Sal to the rest of the public. This girl is very courageous and goes through some very big hurdles and obstacles, but she is eventually going to get through some of the hurdles, but it will take some time.I think that she does an excellent job with this.If you want to find out more about Jean Little and Sal, read Mine for Keeps.

The best Jean Little book that I've read
This book can really capture your heart. Sal has just come home to live with her family, after living in a special boarding school, for people with Cerebal Palsey. She gets enrolled in a public school, and makes two best friends, Libby and Elsjie. Elsjie has a brother named Piet, who is also crippled, like Sal. If you like reading Jean Little's books, I reccomend her biography, "Little by Little" This book is a must read! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cerebral palsy    2. Children's 9-12    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Fiction    5. General    6. People with disabilities    7. Fiction dealing with specific issues   

Subjects:  1. Animals - Dogs    2. Blind    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    4. Children: Grades 3-4    5. Children: Grades 4-6    6. Fiction    7. General    8. Guide dogs    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Readers - Chapter Books   

Subjects:  1. Animals - Dogs    2. Children's 9-12    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    4. Children: Grades 3-4    5. General    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Short Stories   

Reviews (9)

Bit by bit
So I've been steadily working my way through the greatest children's books of all time for just over a year now.To do this, I've been attempting to use a variety of already existing lists, so as to bulk up my cumulative kiddie lit knowledge.One of these lists is the New York Public Library's "100 Favorite Children's Books".This list includes everything from "Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry" to "Freaky Friday".Now I had been doing quite well on these titles and was pleased with its choices right up until I came across the somewhat bizarre choice of "Little By Little" by Jean Little.This is one of those authorial biographies that are meant to tell an inspirational story by highlighting an author's struggles and tribulations.Now, this is not a badly told story by any means.Jean Little is, admittedly, not one of the better known children's authors living today (though a quick Amazon search will show you that she certainly doesn't lack for titles), but her story is fairly interesting.It's just that... well, I dunno.Maybe kids reading this tale would all find it fully fascinating.For my part, I was disappointed.What we seem to have here is a nice enough story about an obscure person dealing with some physical and social trials who triumphs in the end.It's nice, but the book does not strike me as being a particularly memorable experience.
Little by Little
I really enjoyed this book because it was obviously a stuggle for Jean Little, but she still kept on going.She had many goals in her life and most of them was to do something in order to be normal.I think the most important parts of the story is when she gets her different pieces of writing published and actually gets money for it.She has loved books ever since she grew up.I noticed that many books that she has written has connections with her life.Most of them have a disabled person as a character.I think she writes all her books by using her life as a base, but altering many things.

poignant and inspirational
I have loved Jean Little's books about children facing special challenges for many years, but only found out recently that she has had her own disabilities to cope with.In this book, she talks about her childhood in China and then Canada, the difficulties she faced going through school with severely impaired vision, and the love and support of her family that enabled her to persevere.Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Authors, Canadian    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography - Literary    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Blind    7. Canada    8. Children's 12-Up - Biography / Autobiography    9. Juvenile literature   

Reviews (11)

Love this book!
This is a gr8t book! I read it 2 years ago when i was in grade 4..............It is about a German family that moves to Canada in the 1930's and they have a daughter named Anna........(I think she is handicapt)
For Children, for Grown-Ups
A wonderful young person's novel by Jean Little, about a family emigrating from pre-Nazi Germany and moving to Canada. The plot involves the efforts of the youngest child, Anna, whose poor vision and clumsiness has made her something of an outcast, to make a place for herself in her new home and new school. A very important part of the story is Anna's struggle to make a special Christmas present. Not just a Christmas story as such, as the plot takes place over the span of half a year or so, but a really nice evocation of Old-World holiday traditions, a Canadian town in the last years of the Depression, and a gimlet-eyed accuracy in describing family dynamics...

Wow! This is one of the best books I've read in a long time!
I thought that this book was fantastic. Jean Little really brought me into the story. I thought that Jean Little was the perfect author for this book b/c she really got into the mind of each character. I loved this story, and if you're looking for a book, this is the one! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 4-6    3. Family - General    4. Fiction    5. Historical - Holocaust    6. Physically handicapped    7. Social Issues - Special Needs    8. Juvenile Fiction / Social Situations / Special Needs   

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 3-4    3. Dogs    4. Fiction    5. General    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Readers - Beginner   

Editorial Review

When Emma learns that her family is about to adopt a 4-year-old boy, sheis thrilled. She has always wanted a little brother and is convinced Max will bethe best brother ever. Her friend Sally isn't so sure. "He will be a pest," shesays. "All brothers are pests." When Max finally arrives, Emma is stunned thatthings don't go the way she expects them to. Max had looked little and sweet inthe photograph. In real life he looks big, he doesn't smile at her, and he saysher homemade cookies are yucky. It's going to take a lot of understanding andsome changes in perception for Emma and her new brother to find a way into eachother's hearts.Read more

Reviews (1)

A Great Book
As a prospective adoptive family it is wonderful to finally have access to a book for our older children (ages five and eleven) that describes the adoption of a younger child from the perspective of the older sibling.The brother and sister in the story get off to a rocky start but gradually bond, helping young readers to understand that the integration of the new sibling into the family may not be easy - but is ultimately worth it.We got it for our five-year-old for Christmas, but both children love it! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adoption    2. Brothers and sisters    3. Children's 4-8 - Fiction - General    4. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    5. Children: Grades 1-2    6. Family - Adoption    7. Family - Siblings    8. Fiction    9. Juvenile Easy Readers    10. Juvenile Fiction    11. Readers - Beginner    12. Siblings    13. Juvenile Fiction / Readers / Beginner   

Reviews (1)

Good Book
Different Dragons by Jean Little was a very good book. This easy read was about a boy named Ben who has to visit his Aunt Rose for a while. Ben is afraid of a lot of things, people, new places and dogs. Ben really hates dogs. Aunt Rose surpises Ben with a big dog. Ben is very scared of the nice dog. I won't tell you the ending. The only thing I didn't like about this book was that at some points it could get boring and it wasn't a very original story. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 4-6    3. Dogs    4. Fear    5. Fiction    6. General    7. Juvenile Fiction / Social Situations / Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance    8. Special needs & learning difficulties   

Reviews (1)

poetry that resonates
I received this volume of poetry for Mother's Day and have been very pleased.These are not necessarily rhyming poems--reading more like prose than poetry.Ms Little puts into so few words pictures and emotions from childhood and about childhood, and all in a light-hearted tone.Reading them brings a smile to my face.Recommended for older teens and also adults of all ages who remember that they were children, once!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    2. Children's poetry, Canadian    3. Gifts    4. Juvenile Nonfiction    5. Juvenile poetry    6. Poetry    7. Poetry - General   

Reviews (1)

Wonderfully charming
This is a wonderfully charming book about two girls that are going to spend their summers with families they have never met before and doing activities that they hate.They meet each other on the plane and decide to switch places since they will be close to each other anyways.
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Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - General    2. Children: Grades 4-6    3. Family - General    4. Juvenile Fiction    5. Social Issues - Adolescence    6. Social Issues - Friendship    7. Social Issues - New Experience    8. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Reviews (4)

Inspiring and Touching!!!AWSOME!
This book is among the top of my favorites!The story is inspiring and heartwarming.Excellent writing puts you back in the 1930s-40s and brings the characters to life.It was one of thoughs books that made me feel like I could relate with the characters on such a deep level as if they were real people! Reading about them was almost like visiting them as friends... Comming to the end of this book was difficult cuz I didn't want it to end!

Review of Listen for the Singing
This is one of my favorite books! Anna Solden is 14 year oldGerman girl living in Canada in the 1940s. She begins her first year at a normal high school after years of special classes at a special school due to her very poor eyesight. She experiences predjudice from one of her teachers because of her German background, but makes several new friends regardless. Her brother Rudi, oldest of the 5 Solden children, goes off to fight in the war, but returns blind. Anna helps him cope with his dramatically altered lifestyle, and the two of them become close friends despite Rudi's cruelty towards Anna in earlier years. (In "From Anna")Listen for the Singing is an amazing book, and I would recommend it to teens especially.

Awesome!
This is the sequel to "From Anna" Anna is now in high school,and on the first day she is so nervous!!!! She makes tons of newfriends,and helps her brother Rudi cope with being blind. Rudi injers his eyes whenhe goes off to war. I loved this book!!!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Brothers and sisters    2. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    3. Fiction    4. High schools    5. People with disabilities    6. Schools   

Reviews (5)

Masterpiece
I was assighned to read this book for school reasons a few years ago and I absolutly fell in love with it.This story is about a boy who has to endure the pain of whatching his father slowly die of cancer.They were best buds, watched birds and hung out like best freinds, but for past years he has to whatch his father die, then has to deal with the aftermath of his actual death.He has to deal with people all around him, teacher friends ect., pittying him.He finally begins to see light again when he meets a new friend, a person that was too "weird" before, but until his father pointed her out before his death, he begins to get to know her- teresa, and how alike they really are, and how well they get along. A great book for grade 4-8 to read
The story is about a boy named jeremy.Who has to cope with a terrible situation.The sickness of his father and the death of his father too.He has to care for his mom and sister sarah.Ha meets a girl named Tess medford.She too has lost a loved one.The friend ship with Tess grows and before he knows it they are friends.It is a great book for childern for 9-13 to read.

Moving and Real
This is a remarkable book, and I highly recommend it.The author, Jean Little, gives thoughtful attention to original and engaging characterization, and writes with true empathy.Read more

Subjects:  1. Cancer    2. Children's 9-12    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Death    5. Family problems    6. Fiction    7. General    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Special needs & learning difficulties   

Reviews (1)

This book illustrates the struggles of a blind adult.
This book is a very emotional piece of literature.It really illustrates the struggles of a person with a visual problem.I understand what Ms. Little went through because of my visual impairment. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1932-    2. 20th century    3. Authors, Canadian    4. Authorship    5. Biography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Canada    8. Children's 9-12 - Biography / Autobiography    9. Children's stories    10. General    11. Literature (Young Adult)    12. Little, Jean,    13. People with visual disabilities    14. Fiction    15. Little, Jean   

Subjects:  1. Birthdays    2. Cats    3. Children's 4-8 - Fiction - General    4. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    5. Children: Grades 1-2    6. Fiction    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Readers - Beginner    9. Social Issues - Adolescence    10. Social Issues - General    11. Social Situations - General   

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Preschool    3. Fiction    4. General    5. Humorous stories    6. Storytelling    7. Picture books   

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8    2. Children: Grades 1-2    3. Courage    4. Fear    5. Fiction    6. General    7. Imagination    8. Preschool Story Books    9. Sisters    10. Picture books