Gettin' Through Thursday

by Melrose Cooper, Nneka Bennett

Overview

André dreads Thursdays. Thursday is the day before Mama gets paid at work each week — it's the day when money is tight and spirits are low for André and his older brother and sister.

As report card day approaches, André anticipates making the honor roll, and Mama said she'd throw a royal party for just such an event. But André can't believe his eyes when he looks at the calendar and sees that report card day falls on the worst possible day of the week — a Thursday.

André's predicament — and the loving solution that his family offers — will strike a chord with readers of all backgrounds. Melrose Cooper and Nneka Bennett present a warm and touching portrait of a child who experiences a celebration he'll never forget.

TEACHER'S GUIDE AVAILABLE.

Customer Reviews

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781584300144
Publisher:	Lee & Low Books, Inc.
Publication date:	05/28/2002
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	120,811
Product dimensions:	7.80(w) x 9.80(h) x 0.30(d)
Lexile:	680L (what's this?)
Age Range:	7 Years

Editorial Reviews

Andre's mama works hard at her job as a school lunch lady to support her family. But her paycheck has a hard time stretching from Friday to Friday. That's why Thursdays are hard for Andre, his brother Davis and his sister Shawna. At the beginning of the school year, Mama promised that she'd throw a "royal party" for any one who made the honor roll. Now, it looks like Andre will be the first one to do it! The only problem is that report card day falls on the worst possible day: Thursday. Still, Mama finds an imaginative and loving way to keep her promise, and it doesn't cost a dime. The storytelling style is conversational and contemporary. The watercolor illustrations are warm and expressive. Parents and children from all backgrounds will relate to this plot, and enjoy its happy ending.

Children's Literature - Dianne Ochiltree

André hates Thursdays. It's the day before his mother's payday; it's the day when things are tightest in their household and everything seems to run out. But hard-working, resourceful Mama doesn't let André and his siblings sulk or go without for long. When the toothpaste is gone, she tells André's older brother, Davis, to use baking soda. When sister Shawna needs a bandana for the dress rehearsal of a play, Mama suggests using a towel until payday and the real play. André tries to make it through the week without thinking about Thursdays too much, but when report card time comes, and he knows he's on the honor roll in school, he hopes his mother will remember her promise to "drop everything and throw a royal party" even if it is the wrong day of the week. He is let down when Mama postpones the celebration until payday, but she, Davis, and Shawna come through to give André the party he deserves, first as a "dress rehearsal" and then for real. Cooper's rhythmic writing sings, and the authentic voices of her characters resonate in this heartwarming story about simple but meaningful gestures that link the world of adult worries with more childlike concerns. Bennett depicts the characters' emotions exceptionally and realistically; the facial expressions tell readers all they need to know about the story's subtext. (Picture book. 3-7) .

Kirkus Reviews