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4 of 4 found the following review helpful:
Fun To Read! Nov 22, 2004
For Ages 6-10 Johnny and George are brothers. They spend every summer on their uncle's farm and help out with all the chores. But Johnny could not clean the horse stall because the horses would always smush him against the wall. Johnny got scared of the horses and George had to do his work too. This made George very mad. So mad that the two brother's wouldn't talk to each other. But Johnny proves he can pull his own weight around the farm by saving George from a bull! I liked this book because it reminded me of how I fight with my own big brother and how it is not good. This story was fun to read and I liked how Johnny helped his brother and saved him from the bull. If you like to read books that get your brain thinking then this book is for you! - Emma Reed -----------------------------------------------
Siblings should get along and be friends. That's the message of this book and a good one to remember! We may not always like each other, but sometimes family is all we have! This is a wholesome story with bright colorful illustrations that remind us to love one another! Emma's mom, Jennifer Reed.
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
An enjoyable tale Dec 05, 2004
By Midwest Book Review
Written by Maria McCool and illustrated by Don Berry, Becoming George's Brother is a picturebook without a spine that addresses a fundamental question in family relationships - can a younger brother ever earn equal respect and friendship with his older brother, who enjoys a reputation for being everything the younger brother is not? Following two siblings as they work hard on a family farm, Becoming George's Brother is a heartwarming tale that offers a strong, inspirational message of family togetherness and working to overcome difficulties. An enjoyable tale, Becoming George's Brother written with enough complexity to appeal to young readers just approaching intermediate level comprehension skills.
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
Legacy Literature for Children Jun 10, 2004
By Esther DiPasquale
Becoming George's Brother, the debut children's book by Pittsburgh author Maria McCool, begins to fill what I perceive as a current void in the field of children's literature, namely legacy literature or what I like to call anecdotal genealogy. As a teacher and a Reading Specialist with experience from Kindergarten through 12th grade, I know that children like to read about things that really happened. While many middle grade readers enjoy modern-day fiction and fantasy, this book will satisfy the child who wants to know "What was it like in the olden days?" Ms. McCool taps the personal recollections of her father John and his brother George to create a simple story with a big heart. Most children of the video game, CD, DVD, cell phone generation who appear too sophisticated for stories about their parents' and grandparents' generations will be pleasantly surprised by the adventure and emotion in this little book. As America ages and our sources for genealogical anecdotes dwindle, we need more and more stories of this type to enrich the lives of our children growing up today. How about another book about John and his siblings, growing up in an urban Pittsburgh neighborhood with immigrant parents and playmates of many nationalities? How about including some of Uncle John's stories about Slovenia, the place where he and John's parents were born, the place which shaped the work ethic and moral values of their family? These are the stories our children need to hear. These are the stories our children should read before they are lost or forgotten. I'm looking forward to more legacy literature for children and adults from Maria McCool.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Wonderful Story for Readers Young and Old Jan 19, 2005
By Erika Sorocco
Being the younger brother is a hard thing, and Johnny knows all about it only too well. His brother George is a full four-years older than him. And while that might not seem like a lot, to a younger brother it's lightyears away. George gets to do all the cool stuff, like hang out with his "gang," and stay up later. Johnny only wishes that he would be included, but George never invites him along. But each summer, when the two brothers head up to Uncle John's farm, suddenly they're equals, and very good friends, as well. They get up at the crack of dawn together, and they head to bed when the sun's still up. Johnny loves the time he spends with George at Uncle John's farm. But when George gets angry at Johnny for being scared of a large horse, and not finishing his chores, Johnny must find a way to get back into George's good graces, and learn how to become George's brother.
I read children's books all the time, but I felt that BECOMING GEORGE'S BROTHER was one of those books that really tugs at the readers' heartstrings. Maria McCool has done a fabulous job creating a book that will teach siblings how to truly get along. Her storytelling skills are wonderful, and I loved the fact that she included a character who has only one arm, as it will teach even the youngest child that even those who are plagued with a disability can succeed and become great at anything they set their mind to.
Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper
A Lasting Bond Nov 22, 2004
By M. Mc Cool
"book lover"
Review For: Becoming George's Brother
Reviewer: John L. Hoh, Jr. CRITIC Aug-03-2004
Sibling rivalry can be a bear. Especially if the younger sibling is assumed to be like the older sibling (i.e., the older one gets into trouble, the younger one must be a troublemaker; if the older one is smart, why isn't the younger one smart?). This book takes a look at such a rivalry, a rivalry where Johnny is always in George's shadow at their Pittsburgh home. Yes, even the teachers assume that if George is a troublemaker, Johnny must be one too. But each summer they go to their uncle's farm in Ohio, where they have to ride an old Model A truck with a bad exhaust. They are alone on the farm, so they bond. They have chores to do, one of which is cleaning the stable where the workhorses stay. But the workhorses don't move for Johnny and George ends up doing Johnny's work. According to George, Johnny is "chicken" and that hurts Johnny. But one day a loose bull charges the boys. How they react changes the dynamics of the relationship. This is an excellent book for any children with older siblings. Reviewed by John L. Hoh, Jr. for BookIdeas.com (http://www.bookideas.com) All Content Copyright © 1998-2004 Douglas J. Malcolm..All Rights Reserved. AMAZON.COM is the registered trademark of Amazon.com, Inc.
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