| 9780763695637 |
| 0763695637 |
Available:*
Library | Material Type | Call Number | Shelf Location | Status | Item Holds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Searching... East Library | Children's Book | ALMO | Children's-J-Fiction | Searching... Unknown | Searching... Unavailable |
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Summary
Summary
In this hilarious yet touching story from the masterful David Almond, life takes a surprising turn after a bus driver finds a tiny boy angel in his pocket.
Do you believe in angels? Bert and Betty Brown do, because Bert discovered one in his shirt pocket the other day while he was driving his bus. All of a sudden they had a little boy of their very own to care for -- how heavenly! Bert and Betty's friends think Angelino is lovely. So do Nancy and Jack and Alice from school. But the Head Teacher, Mrs. Mole, is not so sure. Neither is Professor Smellie. And who is the mysterious Man in Black who claims to be a School Inspector? Or the big, lumbering Basher Malone? What could all these sneaky adults possibly have against such a perfect little angel?
Author Notes
David Almond was born on May 15, 1951 in the United Kingdom. He writes novels for children and young adults including The Savage, Slog's Dad, My Name Is Mina, The Boy Who Swam with Piranhas, and The Tightrope Walkers. He has received numerous awards including the Carnegie Medal for Skellig, two Whitbread Awards, the Michael L. Printz Award for young-adult books for Kit's Wilderness, the Smarties Prize and the Boston Globe Horn Book Award for The Fire-Eaters, the 2015 Guardian Children's Fiction Prize for A Song for Ella Grey, and the Hans Christian Andersen Award.
(Bowker Author Biography)
Reviews (3)
School Library Journal Review
Gr 4-6-Bert and Betty Brown are tired of their humdrum lives; Bert drives a bus, Betty cooks for schoolchildren, and the couple is still grieving the loss of their young son. But all this changes when Bert discovers a tiny, innocent boy-angel in his shirt pocket and takes him home. The angel, whom they name Angelino, creates joy and chaos in a struggling school and is angel-napped by a young man named Kevin trying to prove himself a villain. Kevin's attempts at dastardly deeds and the ensuing rescue mission provide a handy plot structure, while queries about the angel's existence gently raise larger theological questions. This charming story weaves slapstick humor and fart jokes with passages of surprising beauty and depth, hinting at darker troubles without sacrificing child-appropriate levity. The ensemble of plucky schoolchildren and bumbling adults is somewhat forgettable, but the book's evocative tone resonates more than the story line would indicate. VERDICT A quirky addition to middle grade shelves.-Kyle Lukoff, Corlears School, New York City © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Bus driver Bert Brown feels like he's having a heart attack at work, but the fluttering in his chest turns out to be a tiny angel lodged in his pocket. When a stunned Bert brings the creature home to his wife, Betty, she knows just what to do: fix him dinner, make him a little bed, and give him a fitting name. It doesn't take long for the angel, whom they name Angelino, to become a beloved member of the couple's family, as well as a popular student at the school where Betty works. But two villains are watching the angel's every move, waiting for the opportunity to kidnap him. Almond (Harry Miller's Run) once again works his magic to draw readers into a world of wonderful possibilities and dreadful obstacles, captured in Smith's whimsical pencil drawings. He makes it clear that heroes, villains, and angels alike are products of their environments, and that a little nurturing (or angel companionship) is the best way to improve a person's attitude and behavior. Almond's dry wit will bring smiles, and his underlying message about good and evil may shake up some preconceived notions. Ages 8-12. (Mar.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Booklist Review
Bert is a discontented bus driver. His wife, Betty, works happily in the school cafeteria. One day while driving, Bert thinks he's having a heart attack, but instead he discovers a tiny angel in his pocket. So begins a story as filled with wonder as it is a look into the human condition. Angelino, who only whispers and laughs (and farts!), brings happiness to Bert and Betty, excitement to the local school children, and consternation to the school officials; he also brings out the greed in two bullies who snatch Angelino, intending to sell him for big bucks. In a style reminiscent of Roald Dahl, with over-the-top baddies and determined young heroes and heroines, this narrative at times speaks directly to the reader, encouraging them to think about the underlying themes that are portrayed, sometimes subtly. Particularly relevant is the issue of bullies, what makes them, and what can change them. Smith's illustrations add to the fun, and despite the levity, there's depth here that will generate discussion as well as giggles.--Cooper, Ilene Copyright 2018 Booklist
