Meredith's Literary Reviews

Title: Freckle Juice
Illustrated by Sonia O Lisker
Publisher:Four Winds Press/ New York
Year: 1971

In this story of Andrew who is dying to have freckles, and buys a freckle recipe from Sharon, a know it all. When Andrew discovers the morning after taking that horrible drink, he does not have any freckles. He sets a plan to make sure Sharon learns a lesson. Andrews teacher, Miss. Kelly is understanding and kind to allow him a special freckle remover; but assures another child that his freckles are too cute to remove! Andrew learns a lesson as Sharon moves on to her next victim.

Blume, writes a tale that helps children understand how were all made different and that we all have reasons to love ourselves. The illustrations in this book are black and white pencil drawings.

Title: Blubber
(Listened on Audiobook)
Publisher: Bradbury Press
Year (book published): 1974
Year (audio format): 2007

A story about treating others like you would like to be treated. Jill, plays along with her classmates in teasing, crudely, Linda. All because she reported on whales, and mentioned the word "blubber". When the jokes get harsher and eventually turned on Jill, she learns how to treat people and meets a new friend.

Blume's ability to speak to the reader in such a way that brings them into the situation and shows them the compassion that is lacking in normal experiences. The fact that she wrote about a teacher, that seemed distant and uncaring, made it possible to think about the ideas and steps that the teacher missed. If the teachers character would have been more aware and concerned, then a great deal of the hazing would have stopped. Having a character like that, made it easy for me, as a future teacher, to keep this in mind, and never let teasing get out of control.