Someday Angeline

I really enjoyed this book about Angeline, a child genius who has skipped three grades at school. It is very gently drawn, but with really good observations of people - the bit where Angeline's dad is trying so hard to talk to her, but is so wrapped up in trying hard that he misses the point of everything, the bit where Angeline realises that her teacher is insecure and stupid, and will stop being nasty to her if she just gets things wrong. It is at its absolute best when talking about running away - Angeline goes to the aquarium, and forgets her sorrows in the fish.

I didn't really like the Angeline's Dad / Miss Turbone love story, although I can see it makes a neat happy ever after for everyone. And I was surprised it didn't have more show more of a 'running away doesn't solve things' moral, in this book running away doesn't have any really bad consequences for Angeline. show less

Oh my, but SOMEDAY ANGELINE is so adorable. My EL510 student who is hardest to please with the book selections for that class actually finished the whole book before our second class and declared that this book was fun, as compared to all the other books we had read before it (Mary Poppins, Kenny and the Dragon...). I liked the themes we could discuss in this book as well, about youth vs. genius, good/bad parenting, etc. The omniscient third-person narration was strange sometimes, and I didn't like how the adult romance was treated, but all in all, a solid thumbs-up for using this book for EL510.

A little fantastical, but then if you're a fan of Sachar (and if you're not, you should be) you're ok with that. Lots of humor (and I don't mean just the kids' jokes) but lots of insight and poignancy, too.

As an adult, this book is pretty painful. It basically consists of three things: an overwhelming number of bad dad jokes and puns, a lot of repetition, and list upon list of animals. There are some sweet moments and a few deep thoughts, but the negatives outweighed any redeeming qualities for me. I could see how kids would love its goofy nature, but it wasn't really my cup of tea.

Another funny, quirky tale from the master storyteller. Sachar once again lets his reader into the world of the "different" child. Angeline is gifted and has been put in the sixth grade ( much to the annoyance of the horrible Grade 6 teacher.) Her father has had to bring up Angeline after her mother died, and feels alienated from his daughter, but the one thing he does know is that he doesn't want his daughter to be a garbage collector like himself. Angeline however, loves her father and wants to be part of his world, so is mystified when he dismisses her queries about his job. She is alternately bullied and alienated by her classmates and her only friend is Gary from the year below who tells corny jokes and makes her laugh. Enter "Mr. show more Bone" (Miss Turbone) Gary's teacher , tropical fish and suddenly life may not be as hard as she thinks. If you liked Sachar's other books about oddball students, you will love this book. p.38- 44 The class elections. show less

My favorite book by this author! Angeline, much smarter and younger than her classmates, struggles to find where she belongs. She must deal with a bullying teacher, classmates who make fun of her, and a father with very high expectations for her. Things begin looking up when she makes friends with Gary (a misfit from another class) and Mr. Bone- and when she discovers the aquarium.

Angeline is very bright young girl - in fact, some might say she's a genius. She can predict the weather, play the piano without having a single lesson, and answer any question the teacher asks. However, in a class with an uncaring teacher and students several years older than she is, she has a lot of trouble making friends.

Her father, a single dad, doesn't understand her and seems frightened of her gift. He doesn't realize they have a lot in common - she loves funny jokes and exciting stories, and really loves him and looks up to him.

Things look up for Angeline when she makes friends with a lonely boy who tells jokes that no one else thinks are funny, and his kind teacher who stimulates and encourages them both.

When the pressure in show more Angeline's classroom gets to be too much for her to take, tragedy strikes, and it's up to the people who care about Angeline to make sure she still has a future. show less