Jamaica Tag-Along

This is another story I read frequently as a child because I had two younger brothers. The author's central idea is all about the importance of family but focusing more on the relationship between siblings. Jamaica is the younger sister of Ossie and the entire book all she wants to do is tag-along with her brother. There is an age difference and a gender difference so Ossie doesn't want his "kid sister" going wherever he goes. But the author shows how even when siblings get on each others nerves, they still have to look out for and care for one another. This book is multicultural because Jamaica and Ossie are African-American and there is also some Asian cultures represented through out the story as well.

As an older sibling, I am all to familiar with the feeling of wanting to be away from your siblings. Growing up, I hated having to bring my little sisters with me when I went to a friend's house. I wanted to get away, not bring them with me. I greatly related to Ossie, as he is the older sibling with a tag-along. I love the kindness that Jamaica showed to Berto, as she could understand how he must have felt when his mother said, "big kids don't want to be bothered by little kids". I could see Jamaica growing and changing. Loved this!

I liked this book because of the surprising plot twist at the end of the story. Throughout the story, Jamaica constantly asks her older brother Ossie if she can join him in various activities. Ossie always says no, leaves her out, and mocks her by calling her names like Jamaica Tag-A-Long. Jamaica gets upset and plays on the playground by herself, only to be approached by a younger child who asks to play with her. Jamaica reflects on how her older brother constantly leaves her out, and Jamaica considers doing the say to the younger child, however, the plot twist is that Jamaica not only allows the younger child to play with her, she also includes her brother Ossie after he asks to join as well. The big message from the book is to always show more be the bigger person (even if you are not bigger physically) and do the right thing regardless of how someone has treated you. show less

Juanita Havill's picture book teaches the important lesson of inclusion even among siblings, with beautiful illustrated pictures of watercolor. The story follows a little girl and her big brother as she discovers how it feels to be excluded. A great story for young children to understand that everyone must be included.

Summary
Jamaica wants to play basketball with her brother and his friends. When he tells her to go away she goes to the playground and starts to build a sand castle. A boy at the playground wanted to help her, but she told him to go away. When Jamaica realized she said the same hurtful things that her brother said to her she let the little boy play with her.

Personal Reaction
I have an older sister who didn’t want me to play with her. She would tell me to leave her alone. It hurt my feelings when she pushed me away. She only wanted me around when she needed me. Now that we are grown we are a big part of each other’s lives. It took us maturing to understand the importance of having a sibling.

Extension Ideas:
1.I could give the show more students a large piece of paper and let them draw their siblings playing together.
2.We could read more stories about family and discuss the importance of family.
3.The students could write their own story about their family. show less

Jamaica doesn't understand why her older brother, Ossie, won't let her shoot baskets with him and his friends. Even when she shows them how good she is, they won't let her play! So Jamaica goes off to build a sandcastle in the playground by herself. When a toddler comes over and tries to help her, she tells him not to; he's just getting in the way. "Berto," the woman pushing the stroller said,
"leave this girl alone. Big kids don't like to be bothered by little kids."

Jamaica just wanted to hang out with her brother. Her feelings were hurt because he said that she was a tag along. She ended up hurting a little boys feelings and realizing that's how she felt when her brother wouldn't let her play. Great for preschool age.