Gloria's Way. Cameron, Ann (author). Toft, Lisa (illustrator). (2000). New York, NY: Frances Foster Books. 96 pages. ISBN: 0-374-32670-3.
Fiction: Beginning Chapter Book: Ages 8-12
Setting:
This chapter book is not divided into chapters, but is six distinct stories about a young girl named Gloria and her friends. The book is a spinoff to a series about brothers Julian and Huey, and gives more depth to their neighborhood friend Gloria.
Plot:
Since there are six different stories in the book, the plot varies from story to story. In the first story Gloria makes a nice Valentine's card for her mother, but the wind blows it in to the cage of a neighbor's parrot, she has a hard time convincing him to give it back. Another story deals with Gloria's worry that her best friend Julian is starting to like their new friend better than her. There are always adults around to ask for advice, and to help with problems. Publishers Weekly writes that the author "conveys the benefits of effort and high self-esteem while stressing the importance of mothers and fathers taking time out of their busy schedules to participate in their children's lives." The other stories in the book discuss things like promises, friendships, and family, with lessons interwoven throughout the stories in a natural and not overbearing way.
Since there are six different stories in the book, the plot varies from story to story. In the first story Gloria makes a nice Valentine's card for her mother, but the wind blows it in to the cage of a neighbor's parrot, she has a hard time convincing him to give it back. Another story deals with Gloria's worry that her best friend Julian is starting to like their new friend better than her. There are always adults around to ask for advice, and to help with problems. Publishers Weekly writes that the author "conveys the benefits of effort and high self-esteem while stressing the importance of mothers and fathers taking time out of their busy schedules to participate in their children's lives." The other stories in the book discuss things like promises, friendships, and family, with lessons interwoven throughout the stories in a natural and not overbearing way.
Author/Illustrator:
The author has created a very safe place for these children to exist in. They come from two parent, middle class neighborhoods that are safe to play outside and have plenty of kids to occupy each other. She writes about issues that everyday children deal with, and comes up with reasonable ways to deal with them. Problems are not always solved tidily, but some things just have to be tolerated and dealt with. There are full page black and white illustrations sprinkled throughout the text, that add details to the story and showcase the expression of the characters. Hornbook Magazine calls Toft's illustrations "generously supplied, nicely capture key scenes and emotions."
The author has created a very safe place for these children to exist in. They come from two parent, middle class neighborhoods that are safe to play outside and have plenty of kids to occupy each other. She writes about issues that everyday children deal with, and comes up with reasonable ways to deal with them. Problems are not always solved tidily, but some things just have to be tolerated and dealt with. There are full page black and white illustrations sprinkled throughout the text, that add details to the story and showcase the expression of the characters. Hornbook Magazine calls Toft's illustrations "generously supplied, nicely capture key scenes and emotions."
Classroom Tie-ins:
One of the stories discusses a Valentine's card, and can be read aloud to students during the month of February's activities. There is another story that deals with Gloria's difficulty understanding fractions, and she feels she must be dumb because her other friends understand them. Her father teaches her some tips to make fractions easier, and this might be helpful during a fraction unit in Math.
Students in this age range can be asked to address the five 'W''s in the stories, and relate the problems to their own.
One of the stories discusses a Valentine's card, and can be read aloud to students during the month of February's activities. There is another story that deals with Gloria's difficulty understanding fractions, and she feels she must be dumb because her other friends understand them. Her father teaches her some tips to make fractions easier, and this might be helpful during a fraction unit in Math.
Students in this age range can be asked to address the five 'W''s in the stories, and relate the problems to their own.
Personal Response:
I enjoyed the book. I think it had important lessons on friendship and other issues children deal with growing up. It showcases kids solving common problems and includes good adult role models.
I enjoyed the book. I think it had important lessons on friendship and other issues children deal with growing up. It showcases kids solving common problems and includes good adult role models.
Resources:
Horn Book Magazine (2000, Mar/Apr). [Review of the book Gloria’s Way by Ann Cameron]. Retrieved from:
http://web.ebscohost.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/ehost/detail?sid=284b7ce6-a644-4350-a75f-0ee0ef6a1cf5%40sessionmgr15&vid=5&hid=10&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=aph&AN=3225604
http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-374-32670-8
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