I think he balanced tone, character, plot, and more beautifully. Those poor daylilies, for instance. And ultimately, when his burden of grief and anger from the past can no longer be ignored, Carter learns that a burden becomes lighter when it is shared. We’d love your help. I was on the Newbery Committee that gave an honor to The Wednesday Wars and think this is in the same universe as far as the. Mr. Bowles-Fitzpatrick arrives in a purple Bentley at their New York state home during a downpour on the morning of Carter’s first day of sixth grade. Pay attention, Carter Jones. Ok, 5 stars I usually reserve for books that are exceptionally provocative or life-changing in some way. See our. Pay Attention, Carter Jones. I think he balanced tone, character, plot, and more beautifully. Not only does the butler excel at imparting gentlemanly values of order, decorum, and responsibility, he's also an insane cricket fan whose passion for the game builds community and camaraderie in the whole town. Pay Attention, Carter Jones. Sent to the Jones family by his late grandfather, Mr. Bowles-Fitzpatrick reforms the household with his wit, precision, and commitment to decorum. Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. Pay Attention, Carter Jones. 1 minute review of the children's book Pay Attention Carter Jones by Gary D. Schmidt. I was on the Newbery Committee that gave an honor to The Wednesday Wars and think this is in the same universe as far as the balance of outlandishness (cricket in this case), humor, and deep darkness. It’s because Schmidt, like DiCamillo, can write with such intensity that things are allowed to be unbelievable and funny and absurd in a sublime way. Carter Jones is astonished early one morning when he finds a real English butler, bowler hat and all, on the doorstep—one who stays to … Clarion, $16.99 (224p) ISBN 978-0-544-79085-8. Sent to the Jones family by his late grandfather, Mr. Bowles-Fitzpatrick reforms the household with his wit, precision, and commitment to decorum. This happens a bit here: the whole premise of the book with the Butler and the cricket is clearly in danger of falling on its own absurd sword, and it sometimes does. Carter Jones is astonished early one morning when he finds a real English butler, bowler hat and all, on the doorstep—one who stays to help the Jones family, which is a little bit broken. Pre-Order. Yes, the principal is a Lilian Swieteck. Highly recommend these three of his books! Fun graphic novel about Ren Faire girl has great messages. And even when it does feel a stretch, you don't mind much. If you chose to provide an email address, it will only be used to contact you about your comment. Pay Attention, Carter Jones by Gary D. Schmidt, 217 pages.Clarion Books (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt), 2019. Still worth a read though. Teen and tween characters are dealing with the fact that one kid's mother and another's father have run off with new romantic partners and deserted their families. Do you play cricket or know anyone who does? We display the minimum age for which content is developmentally appropriate. Pay Attention, Carter Jones (Book) : Schmidt, Gary D. : Sixth-grader Carter must adjust to the unwelcome presence of a know-it-all butler who is determined to help him become a gentleman, and also to deal with burdens from the past. I loved the way Schmidt doesn't hit you over the head with messages but with humor and understanding guides you right along on the journey with Carter. The story really grabbed me (even though I don’t like books involving sports) and I was emotionally invested by the end. Interview with Gary D. Schmidt. Yet, despite how much I enjoyed the novel, there was too much of a feel that this all happened in a bubble that had no specific time or place, like a Disney Channel TV movie of the 90’s. Carter, who's struggling with  death of a sibling and absence of his deployed dad, is often relatably confused and overwhelmed but thrives and excels under the butler's guidance. This book did some things well I suppose - but between the butler, who acted like an obnoxiously snooty version of Mary Poppins, and the unnecessarily long descriptions of cricket, this book was...not my favorite. The butler that shows up unexpectedly on the doorstep is perfection. In addition to figuring out middle school, Carter has to adjust to the unwelcome presence of this new know-it-all adult in his life and navigate the butler's notions of decorum. This made me think of Louisiana’s Way Home, and not just because of kids driving cars and having to find forgiveness or at least understanding for a parental figure. The cricket (which I knew absolutely nothing about but for sure googled) games and analogies just rounded it out for me. Gary Schmidt has written one of my absolute favourites, The Wednesday Wars, and one of my biggest disappointments, Okay for Now (surprise fatal disease plotline). Gr 4-8-Young Carter Jones opens the front door one morning to find an English butler on his doorstep. ", See 1 question about Pay Attention, Carter Jones…, The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Occasionally both authors, in their less successful moments, get it backward and start with forced absurdity rather than trust in their supernal writing to effect this transformation. He is a Professor of English at Calvin College. Ignore the cover, make good decisions and read this one. Why is this a favorite storytelling theme? Hmm not sure they really eat pizza in Italy, I don't think it classifies as 'Italian food,' Mr Butler. Parents need to know that Pay Attention, Carter Jones is Newbery Honor author Gary D. Schmidt's variation on the ever-popular theme of the unlikely outsider who arrives in the midst of some crisis, thinks outside the box, imparts life lessons in creative ways, and generally puts all to rights. Read Common Sense Media's The Last Last-Day-of-Summer review, age rating, and parents guide. I read this quickly a few months ago as an egalley and was not enthused, but just read it again because of all the starred reviews and have changed my opinion completely. © Common Sense Media. Occasionally both authors, in their less successful moments, get it backward and start with forced absurdity rather than trust in their. but I really enjoyed this sweet, sometimes funny, heartwarming coming-of-age book. "'Young Master Carter, when you walk Ned for your mother, when you attend Miss Anne's robotics competition without observing that such attendance is, if you'll pardon the expression, "a pain in the glutes"; when you cheer at Miss Charlotte's football match even though she barely had a touch; when you accompany your sister to a Turner art exhibition; when you take your young sisters to buy Dreamsicles; when you appear as exhibit A for Miss Emily's Favorite Person of the Week event; when you attend two ballet exhibitions despite your unfortunate and undiscerning distaste for the art; you are telling them that it ["Remember who you are" and "Remember who loves you"] is exactly the same thing,', "'Is that what being a gentleman is supposed to be? But I think that has to start from the writing. A purple Bentley plays a role in the plot. But this book does a number of astonishing things: Reread (actually re-listen) with my 13 year old. Gary Schmidt. Join now. In addition to figuring out middle school, Carter has to adjust to the unwelcome presence of this new know-it-all adult in his life and navigate the butler's notions of decorum. We find out that Carter’s brother has passed away, and his father is stationed far away, incommunicado. Too much sportsball for my liking, but I can appreciate that others would appreciate the amount of sportsball included, and that it is a unique (at least for US readers) sportsball to include in a middle grade novel. February 2019 This one has a similar feel and the only downside for me was all the descriptions of how cricket is played. If you've ever watched a match, how do you think it compares with other sports you like? You think you’re in for a lighter read, but nope, while it is less wordy than Wednesday Wars or Okay For Now, this one also contains big life issues. 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