DIversity Book: What Would Joey do?

Summary:

Joey is a young boy that tries to fix situations in his life by viewing other people’s actions and mistakes. The books starts of by Joey’s parents arguing this caused for his dad (Carter) to crash into an apple tree. This incident sent him to the hospital and caused him to be very injured. After several instances that Joey goes through with his family, he is to be home schooled. There he meets his “bratty” friend Olivia. She is “blind but Bratty “ as the book descries her. She tried to make poor joeys life miserable by blaming him fro everything. Then though out the book you start to view the mentality Joey had. He always tried to do well and make the best out of every situation.  He ends up finding comfort in his new friend Olivia (they become close).  Then book ends with the death of his grandmother, he then figured out that he couldn’t live pleasing other people. He had to do what he wanted. His tender heart for others remained but his goal was to pursue his happiness.

Personal Response:

a Newbery Honor Book also It has won in 2003 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year. This book was an interesting, sad and inspiring book to read. It was funny to see the point of view of a Joey and the way he took care of situations. It was also sweet to see how he wanted a friendship with is blind classmate in home schooling (Olivia).  Over all it was a great book, I think students would be able to relate to it, since it is written in joeys perspective.  Also students will feel identified with certain actions he decided to take like not liking vegetables and giving them to the dog.