Judy Blume. No juvenile author strikes fear into a mother's heart like Judy Blume. Generally best known for her controversial middle school novels, she has written some books more appropriate for my elementary aged daughters. Our most recent Blume book is Freckle Juice.
The Story Second grader Andrew Marcus wants freckles. In fact he wants them so badly he is willing to pay a classmate, Sharon, 5 weeks' allowance for a secret recipes guaranteed to make him grow freckles. When the mixture of grape juice, lemon juice, vinegar and more does nothing but give him a stomach ache, Andrew doesn't want to return to school without freckles. Eventually he takes steps of his own to ensure he doesn't return to school without his much coveted freckles.
Our Experience Written about second graders, and for second graders, Freckle Juice is a quick read. Seven finished it in less than 20 minutes, while Six took closer to 40 minutes.. Both of them definitely enjoyed this humorous story about learning to accept yourself as you are and that the grass isn't always green on the other side. Even I enjoyed reading it again, some 30 or so years after reading it for the first time.
Originally published in 1971, Freckle Juice does feel a bit dated. Mom's itchy curlers and afternoon card game were completely foreign concepts to my daughters. Andrew's five weeks of allowance amounted to $.50, which is laughable now. Putting those minor issues aside the book still has something to say to today's kids. Seven envies a friend's curly hair and her sister's fingernails, seemingly unaware there are people jealous of her own long blond hair and blue eyes. Freckle Juice gave me another talking point to remind her that things like hair and skin color aren't what make a person; it is what's on the inside that counts.
My only complaint about Freckle Juice is Sharon's character. She obviously lies to Andrew and cheats him out of his money and yet there are no consequences for her behavior. In fact, as the books ends, it seems she is going to try the same trick on another classmate who wants to get rid of his freckles.
Final Thoughts Freckle Juice is a great book for young elementary school students who are ready for chapter books or as a read aloud story. Children will be able to relate to the realistic characters and enjoy the age appropriate humor .While I wish Sharon didn't get away with cheating her classmates; perhaps there is a lesson to be learned in there too.
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More than anything in the world, Andrew wants freckles. His classmate Nicky has freckles -- they cover his face, his ears, and the whole back of his n...More at Buy.com
Nicky has freckles -- they cover his face, his ears, and the whole back of his neck. Sitting behind him in class, Andrew once counted eighty-six of th...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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