A good day for climbing trees

Format:

Book

Title:

A good day for climbing trees

Uniform Title:

Goeie dag vir boomklim. English

Author:

Jacobs, Jaco author

ISBN:

9781786073174

9781544416588

Publication:

London : Rock the Boat, 2018.

Physical Description:

154 pages : illustrations ; 20 cm

General Note:

"Originally published in Afrikaans in 2015 as 'n Goeie dag vir boomklim."--Title page verso

Summary:

Sometimes, in the blink of an eye, you do something that changes your life forever. Like climbing a tree with a girl you don't know.

Subject(s):

Trees -- Fiction.

Families -- Fiction.

Children's stories.

Illustrated children's books.

Family life -- Fiction.

South Africa -- Fiction.

Geographic Term:

South Africa -- Fiction.

Genre:

Added Author:

Geldenhuys, Kobus, 1957-

Holds:

Available:*

Library	Call Number	Status
Searching... Salem Main Library	J Jacobs, J.	Searching... Unknown

Summary

*Nominated for the 2019 CILIP Carnegie Medal*

*Spectator Best Books of the Year selection*

Two unlikely heroes inspire a whole town by fighting to save a tree

Sometimes, in the blink of an eye, you do something that changes your life forever.

Like climbing a tree with a girl you don't know.

Marnus is tired of feeling invisible, living in the shadow of his two brothers.

His older brother is good at breaking swimming records and girls' hearts. His younger brother is already a crafty entrepreneur who has tricked him into doing the dishes all summer.

But when a girl called Leila turns up on their doorstep one morning with a petition, it's the start of an unexpected adventure.

And finally, Marnus gets the chance to be noticed...

Author Notes

Jaco Jacobs is the most popular and prolific children's book author in Afrikaans. He has published more than 140 books and over a million copies have been sold. Jaco is also a well-known columnist, blogger, freelance journalist and translator. He lives in Bloemfontein, South Africa.

Kobus Geldenhuys is an award-winning translator of children and young adult literature. He has translated many Harry Potter titles into Afrikaans, as well the third book in Cressida Cowell's popular series How To Train Your Dragon.

Reviews (2)

Publisher's Weekly Review

This humorous South African import offers a warm look at middle grade activism. Marnus, the 13-year-old narrator, is the forgotten, unremarkable brother sandwiched between two stars-the Adonis-like 15-year-old Donovan and the entrepreneurially gifted nine-year-old Adrian (who rents Donovan out to neighborhood girls for kissing lessons). "Marnus-in-the-middle," Marnus laments. "Sometimes it felt like I was invisible." However, when a "weird" girl named Leila comes to Marnus's door with a petition to save a tree, he breaks character and follows her to the park to see it, then joins her up in the branches to protest and save the tree from municipal managers and bulldozers. A comic cast champions their cause, including a pink-haired town eccentric named Mrs. Merriman who brings food and drink; a gruff caretaker who allows Marnus and Leila to use the club's restrooms; and Leila's quiet mother. While it stretches belief that Marnus's litigator mother allows him to stay in the tree, Jacobs authentically sketches the main characters' deeper motivations-especially Leila's reaction to her parents' divorce. Ultimately, Jacobs delivers a kind and uplifting novel about two characters taking a stand. Ages 9-12. (May) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Booklist Review

Being conned by his two siblings is nothing new for 13-year-old Marnus. What should be a fun summer break feels more like work, since Marnus' crafty little brother, Adrian, and popular older brother, Donovan, have arranged for Marnus to do all their chores in addition to his own. But things change when Leila, 13, comes to the door with her petition to save a tree. Marnus accompanies her to the park, and, before he fully realizes what's happening, they are sitting in the tree to protect it from being felled. Most of this novel takes place during their three days in the tree, incorporating their social interactions with the city crew trying to cut down the tree, with their parents, and with a variety of other townsfolk. Marnus harbors uncertainties about Leila's cause, but, as he shares their experiences, readers see that he has learned how to stand up for himself. Written by beloved South African children's author Jacobs, this thoughtful story offers a positive portrait of personal growth and activism. This translation uses British idioms and phrases.--Petty, J. B. Copyright 2018 Booklist

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Summary

Summary

Author Notes

Reviews (2)

Publisher's Weekly Review

Booklist Review