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Summary
Summary
Adam dreams of a new bike to ride the Vermont hills near his home. So he's shocked to discover that the stable's new occupant has hooves, not handlebars! It's Ethan Allen, the star of Adam's mother's new llama trekking business. With a llama in the family, anything can and will happen--especially when Adam sets out to double the llama trouble. "Another winning story from Hurwitz."--School Library Journal.
Author Notes
Children's author, Johanna Hurwitz was born and raised in New York City. She attended Queens College where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and then Columbia University for her master's in Library Science.
She worked as a librarian and taught graduate courses in children's literature and storytelling. Her first title, Busybody Nora was published in 1976 and she has been writing a book or two a year ever since. Her other titles include Dear Emma, Summer with Elisa, A Llama in the Family, Busybody Nora and the Adventures of Ali Baba Bernstein. She has written over 60 titles.
Her works have won her several state awards, including the Texas Bluebonnet Award, the Kentucky Bluegrass Award, the Garden State Children's Choice Award, and the Wyoming Indian Paintbrush Award.
(Bowker Author Biography)
Reviews (4)
School Library Journal Review
Gr 3-4-Another winning story from Hurwitz. Adam Fine is excited when his parents hint that there will be a surprise waiting for him when he gets home from school. He decides it must be the new mountain bike he has been wanting, so he is amazed (and a little disappointed) to find that it's a llama. As Adam and his four-year-old sister get to know the strange creature (dubbed Ethan Allen by their mother), it becomes an important part of the family. Adam, however, still wants a new bike and spends most of his time figuring out how to get one. However, when he finds a valuable braided rug in the attic that he could sell, he trades it in order to get another llama to keep Ethan Allen company and to help his mother's growing business, ``Fine Llama Treks'' for tourists. Hurwitz has created a believable, likable protagonist. While Adam sees himself as a talented wheeler-dealer and is a typical 10-year-old in many respects, he's also wise and considerate. Satisfying in its depiction of a happy, secure Vermont family, this enjoyable tale would fit nicely into any library.- Jan Shepherd Ross, Dixie Elementary Magnet School, Lexington, KY (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
When Adam's mother promises a surprise, he is sure it will be the mountain bike he's been pining for. The arrival of a llama-with the news that Mrs. Fine will start a trekking business from their Vermont home-comes as a bit of a blow. Adam's disappointment is short-lived, however, for Ethan Allen proves an interesting and devoted, if occasionally troublesome, member of the family. Ethan Allen quickly becomes so valued, in fact, that Adam later forgoes his chance to buy a bike in order to acquire a companion llama for his pet. Hurwitz (Make Room for Elisa; Class President) employs a lower-key humor here than in many of her previous books. Combining a fond portrayal of family life, a bucolic rural setting and a finely drawn picture of the unique bond between people and their pets, this is an amusing and moving read. The depiction of the empathy Adam gradually develops for his llama is especially well rendered: convincing and affecting yet never sentimental, it gives the story substance and heart. Illustrations not seen by PW. Ages 7-up. (Sept.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Horn Book Review
Adam does not expect to find a llama in the backyard, but 'Ethan Allen,' the first animal in his mother's new llama-trekking enterprise, becomes a special mischievous pet to Adam and his sister -- a pet that causes him to rethink his priorities when a chance to purchase a longed-for bike comes along. Good characterization, believable situations, lots of humor, and a resourceful main character. From HORN BOOK 1991, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Review
Gr. 2-4. Adam Fine thinks the "surprise" his parents are promising is the new bike he's been wanting. Imagine his shock when he discovers that it's a llama, which his mother intends to use in her new backwoods tour business. As it happens, Ethan Allan, as they name the critter, turns out to be a friendly beast, and Adam takes great joy in learning about him and sharing what he's discovered with his friends. A bit measured at the outset, the pacing picks up when Adam decides that, instead of a bike, he wants to find Ethan Allan a llama friend. Less insightful and not quite as funny (though there is some good humor) as some of the author's previous work, this genial chapter book nevertheless shows off Hurwitz's talent for creating likable characters and rings with appealingly childlike enthusiasm and voice. Kids will enjoy it as a diverting summertime-anytime read. ~--Stephanie Zvirin