But what is even more bothersome is that the original illustrator, Sonia O. Some of the illustrations and their older clothing and style are a little more obviously outdated.

These little hiccups don’t stop the story, though. Andrew’s mom, for instance, has curlers on in the morning and tells him she’s been invited to play cards with the ladies during the day. Originally published in 1971, this chapter book does suffer from some of the older/tired/out-of-date issues that many classic chapter books exhibit. (In fact, Andrew is “not fast” as a reader, which the struggling reader might appreciate.) The brevity also allows readers to gain confidence as they buzz through the whole book fairly quickly. With small type and slightly more mature sentence structure, older readers won’t feel babyish reading about Andrew and his freckle obsession and consequences. The chapter where poor Andrew drinks the despicable concoction that is supposed to sprout the desired freckles is both hilarious and a fun Don’t do it! moment.Ī very short chapter book (only five chapters and 47 pages), this is a good read for an older, less adept reader. Two other characters in this book stand out: a sweet, understanding teacher, and larcenous, greedy, evil Sharon, who absconds with funds through trickery. The fact that Andrew wants freckles, and that he is forced to sit behind a boy with a glorious number of freckles (and thus view them every day in school) is a simple but magnificent premise. The protagonist, a second grade boy, is an empathetic character because almost everyone knows, deep in his bones, how it is to want something to distraction. Published by: Yearling Reprint edition (July 15, 1978)Īvailable in: paperback, hardcover, library bindingįreckle Juice is all about wanting something and doing something crazy to get it.

Judy blume book freckle juice