Advance copy. ( )

Mourning the loss of his mother, nine-year-old David forms an unlikely friendship with independent, quirky thirteen-year-old Primrose, as the two heal each other deal with what is missing in their lives.

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This book is definitely for the more reflective readers as it focuses on slow character development than the specific interactions between the characters. Both of the characters in this story come from broken homes. With the passing of David's mother and his father constantly being on the road, he is forced into a new life with his grandmother. Primrose, on the other hand, does not know her father more than the single picture she has of him, and her mother is nearly too childish to be counted as a guardian. Because of this, both of these characters are forced to grow up really quickly, with Primrose taking on a big-sister role to David. Many students can find comfort in this book as today's students come from a multitude of family situations. Therefore, I like how this book portrays two different, but also similar, family lives.

Additionally, these characters represent the desire to grow up, while still finding the fun in being children. Sometimes children are forced to grow up too fast, such as Primrose and David, as well as many students in today's school system. They had no say in their childhood being confiscated from them, but they can empathize with these characters and look at them as a mirror of themselves. Students face a multitude of difficulties at home: deaths in the family, parents going through divorce, moving homes, or even getting a new sibling. It is important to recognize that these traumatic experiences happen, and they can navigate through it.

Overall, I enjoy how the story portrays the idea that family does not always have to be chosen by blood relationships. Family is about who is there to support you, comfort you, help you grow, and deal with the difficult times. I believe it is important for children to understand that even if their home lives are not favorable, they can still find a family in their school environment where there is support and growth. By understanding the bond that Primrose and David share, readers can begin to view their peers as a place to find comfort and love, even if those relationships do seem unlikely.

EGGS
Author: Jerry Spinelli
Cover Designer: Gail Doobinin
Copyright 2008
Little, Brown and Company, New York

This chapter book is suitable for grades 3-6.
Genre: Friendship - Fiction / Family Life - Fiction ( )

An odd title for a very good story. That's one of the things I love about challenges. They often demand that you to pick up books that you may in all likelihood by-pass. This author has a really good handle on troubled kids and tells the story with both heart-felt compassion for these two but also adds a dash of humor to the mix. The plot has many twists and turns as it slowly reveals more and more about each character. It has an unexpected ending which I can only describe as thought provoking. ( )

summary: Two young teens become friends despite their differences and through those differences, they end up being just what the other needs.
reflections: This book was a fun read. I read it when I was in middle school and when I found it, I couldn't help but want to read it again to see if I could remember it. I actually caught myself laughing out loud quite a few times! I totally forgot what the book was about and what happened. I loved re-reading it, and I can definitely see myself reading it again in the future. It is a good little reminder of how differences between friends can end up being beneficial and work out in ways you wouldn't think.

It all starts with eggs. David was forced by his Grandmother to go on an Easter Egg Hunt because she wanted him to make new friends. He moved not too long ago and doesn't have any. But the main reason is because of his mother. Yes I'm going to get all sad on you now. His mother died less than a year ago. His grandmother tries to replace her he thinks. And he's not having any part of it. At nine he acts a little bit more mature but other times like a little kid. He doesn't obey her rules but he does obey the rules. He has to....

He finds Primrose (I know! Like Katniss's sister!) after he's trying to pick up an egg and discovers underneath it and a whole pile of leaves her. He thinks she's dead. He tells her about himself. I think he talks like he has never before to her. He thinks she's dead but finds out later she's alive in a very abrupt way. She ends being very... quirky to say the least. She lives in a van with no wheels and she moved out of her mother's home that looks like a garage. She gets egged all the time which I didn't believe at first but the book doesn't dispute.

They argue like crazy. It's adorable. He scowls she says some witty comment. Or he questions her and she growls. It's a beautiful relationship. But seriously there pain brings them together at a time when they needed someone. David is introduced to Refrigerator John who has a kind of limp I'd guess you'd say. He just laughs at there shenanigans. Well until it goes too far....

The father is kind of nonexistent in this story. He only sees him on the weekends because he works where they used to live which is 200 miles away. He's according to his grandmother "overwhelmed" which means to him less time spent with him.

Jerry Spinelli has done it once again. He has produced two of my favorite books: Maniac Magee and Wringer. I have doubted his other books and I don't know why. I am truly crazy because I absolutely loved this book. There was nothing wrong with at all. It wasn't even cheesy! And yeah I do like some cheesiness but I prefer it not to have cheesiness when dealing with serious subjects such as this book had to deal with.

David's and Primrose's relationship was to die for especially when it was described by Refrigerator John. Damn it Spinelli. Do you like to make me cry or otherwise make me supremely happy!? I think I'm falling in love ( )