Title: Binny for Short
Author: Hilary McKay
Illustrator: Micah Player
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Year of Publication: 2013
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Horn Book rating: 1
Summary:
This is the story of an 11 year old girl that have experienced many sorrows at a young age. Her father died unexpectedly, they lost everything, their home, their bookstore, and even Binny's dog. However, since Binny was just eight years old and too immature to comprehend the severity of the situation. She was more devastated in losing her dog. Her Aunt Violet took the dog to live with their grandmother, but when their grandmother passed away, the dog mysteriously disappeared.The Cornwallis faced many misfortunes along the way, but these hardships only brought them together and made special bonds with each other. When Binny's aunt Violet passed away she left her one of her properties to Binny and her family. They went from living in tiny apartments to living by the sea.
Summary of The Horn Book Guide:
Illustrated by Micah Player. Eleven-year-old Binny, her sister, brother, and mum move into a seaside cottage left to them by (reviled-by-Binny) Aunty Violet. Gareth, the boy next door, becomes Binny's best frenemy, and their final adventure of the summer nearly ends in catastrophe. McKay's masterful control of the mayhem is ingenious. The cartoony art may smooth the way for younger middle-graders challenged by the book's time shifts.
Review by B.Elizabeth Harclerode:
I would start by saying that I really enjoyed each character on this story. I adored Binny for her relentless attitude. Clem her older sister, was an example of resilience. I must say that I was not a big fan of her little brother James since he tended to act spoiled and liked to collect weird, unsanitary items. Binny's mom represented a strong woman, who were able to carry on without her husband and raise her children the best she could. I really admired this character. Moreover, I really appreciated the way the author handled the topic of losing someone and mourning. I liked how the author was effective at describing the scenery. I was able to close my eyes and imagine how it would be standing by the coffee shop where Clem and Binny worked. I was also able to imagine taking a deep breath and smell the sea. In addition, the author was effective at foreshadowing the story, which kept me entertained and wanting for more. Not to mention, the art was simple, yet the characters looked the way it was described in the story. Also, I liked how the author handled the unpredictability factor, where it makes one suggest the ending, but then all of the sudden something happens that makes one wonder of another ending. All in all, this book I would recommended this book to someone who experienced the loss of a loved one or for an animal lover especially a dog lover.
This book would be useful when teaching…
This book would be useful when talking about the loss of a loved one or the loss of a family pet. For example, if one or more students is facing the loss of a family member or a family pet, then the teacher could recommend this book, so they can relate to the story and find that it could happen to anyone not just them.
Author: Hilary McKay
Illustrator: Micah Player
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Year of Publication: 2013
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Horn Book rating: 1
Summary:
This is the story of an 11 year old girl that have experienced many sorrows at a young age. Her father died unexpectedly, they lost everything, their home, their bookstore, and even Binny's dog. However, since Binny was just eight years old and too immature to comprehend the severity of the situation. She was more devastated in losing her dog. Her Aunt Violet took the dog to live with their grandmother, but when their grandmother passed away, the dog mysteriously disappeared.The Cornwallis faced many misfortunes along the way, but these hardships only brought them together and made special bonds with each other. When Binny's aunt Violet passed away she left her one of her properties to Binny and her family. They went from living in tiny apartments to living by the sea.
Summary of The Horn Book Guide:
Illustrated by Micah Player. Eleven-year-old Binny, her sister, brother, and mum move into a seaside cottage left to them by (reviled-by-Binny) Aunty Violet. Gareth, the boy next door, becomes Binny's best frenemy, and their final adventure of the summer nearly ends in catastrophe. McKay's masterful control of the mayhem is ingenious. The cartoony art may smooth the way for younger middle-graders challenged by the book's time shifts.
Review by B.Elizabeth Harclerode:
I would start by saying that I really enjoyed each character on this story. I adored Binny for her relentless attitude. Clem her older sister, was an example of resilience. I must say that I was not a big fan of her little brother James since he tended to act spoiled and liked to collect weird, unsanitary items. Binny's mom represented a strong woman, who were able to carry on without her husband and raise her children the best she could. I really admired this character. Moreover, I really appreciated the way the author handled the topic of losing someone and mourning. I liked how the author was effective at describing the scenery. I was able to close my eyes and imagine how it would be standing by the coffee shop where Clem and Binny worked. I was also able to imagine taking a deep breath and smell the sea. In addition, the author was effective at foreshadowing the story, which kept me entertained and wanting for more. Not to mention, the art was simple, yet the characters looked the way it was described in the story. Also, I liked how the author handled the unpredictability factor, where it makes one suggest the ending, but then all of the sudden something happens that makes one wonder of another ending. All in all, this book I would recommended this book to someone who experienced the loss of a loved one or for an animal lover especially a dog lover.
This book would be useful when teaching…
This book would be useful when talking about the loss of a loved one or the loss of a family pet. For example, if one or more students is facing the loss of a family member or a family pet, then the teacher could recommend this book, so they can relate to the story and find that it could happen to anyone not just them.