On the Road to Mr. Mineo's

by Barbara O'Connor

Summer days drift by slowly in Meadville, South Carolina--that is, until Sherman the one-legged pigeon flies into town and causes a ruckus. First Stella, who's been begging for a dog, spots him on top of a garage roof and decides she wants him for a pet. Then there's Ethel and Amos, an old couple who sees the pigeon in their barn keeping company with a little brown dog that barks all night. The pigeon lands smack in the middle of Mutt Raynard's head, but he's the town liar, so no one believes him. And when Stella's brother Levi and his scabby-kneed, germ-infested friends notice the pigeon, they join the chase, too. Meanwhile, across town, Mr. Mineo has one less homing pigeon than he used to...
 

Genres: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Animals, Juvenile, Friendship, Childrens, Chapter Books

192 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 2, 2012

About the author

Barbara O'Connor's awards include the Parents Choice Gold and Silver Award, American Library Association Notable Books, IRA Notable Books for a Global Society, School Library Journal Best Books, and Kirkus Best Books. Her books have been nominated for children's choice awards in 38 states and voted as a state favorite by children in South Carolina, Indiana, Kansas, and South Dakota.

Barbara was born and raised in Greenville, South Carolina. She draws on her Southern roots to write award-winning books for children in grades 3 to 6.

She currently lives in Asheville, NC. Her latest book is Wish, a middle grade novel published by FSG.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/barbar...

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think my Mr. Mineo lives in my quaint little village...along with Stella, Gerald, Mutt and the others. Or maybe he once lived here....during a time when barbershops were gathering places and children spent their time creating memories in tree houses or riding their bikes. I enjoyed the multi-generational pursuit of the one legged pigeon and the ways he literally flew in and out of their lives while unknowingly creating such angst among them. While I enjoyed the book, I try to put myself into the hearts and minds of my students and ask myself "Will there be anything to hold their attention and make them feel a connection with the story? I just don't know. Will they be able to relate to some of the characters? Yes. Will they be able to keep track of all their names as the story unfolds? Not sure. Can they embrace the pursuit of a one-legged pigeon by a group of townspeople? Possibly... if you give them reasons to. My strong readers will be able to deduce why each character desires the pigeon in a different way. My reluctant readers will not see it...at least without some assistance. This might make a good classroom read aloud or a wonderful chapter book for a select few. Not sure how wide of an audience it will reach.

[The Styling Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

On the Road to Mr. Mineo's by Barbara O'Connor - Finishing off a story with a big smile... what a happy day it was to enjoy this gorgeous book. What a wonderful mix of characters introduced throughout the book! What a ruckus one little one-legged homing pigeon can cause! What beautifully flawed characters Barbara O'Connor creates. Fantastic community story. Loved it. Highly recommend for students 4th grade and up! (Maybe even third grade when they're strong readers!) Reading any Barbara O'Connor book puts a huge smile on my face, to be honest.

[Patsy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This didn't hold my interest at this time. Will try another listen later on.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story starts at a very slow pace, and the reader gets to view events through multiple characters, even though the story is done in all 3rd person. Barbara O'Connor was masterful at writing a book about a very small, but unique thing - a one-legged pigeon - and each time she circles around to the same characters, she very deftly adds layers to the story that help it build. But in the end, much like The Small Adventure of Popeye and Elvis, the reader gets to celebrate with O'Connor the small things in life that mean so much to each of us for different reasons. It's a simpler life. I find it ironic that just today in the newspaper, I read an article about the lovely simplicity of Mayberry and how much those of us who watched it each week, loved that simplicity of life. That's exactly what Barbara O'Connor has created with On the Road to Mr. Mineo's.

[Betsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmm… I read this book over Christmas and today I sat down to finally write a review of it. But I didn't remember ANYTHING about it until after reading the summery again. Telling? I think so. It's a fine story, well written, just not memorable for me in the least. I remember thinking I was glad it was over, and I could move on to more interesting fare. No doubt there are some kids out there who will enjoy it, especially those who enjoy stories in which the setting is almost a character in its own right and in which the plot meanders through the book--giving you plenty of time to get to know everyone. But it was not a book that grabbed me.

[Holly Mueller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like a broken record when it comes to Barbara O'Connor books. I loved this one. The spare language, the simple story, the endearing, country characters, the authentic kids, the dusty roads, and southern tone all make it a quintessential O'Connor book. I think, for me, it's an escape into a world in which I want to live. I want to escape the strife, polarization, and angst and just look for a one-legged pigeon and make sure its safe and sound where it belongs, along with a little brown dog. When does her next one come out? ;-)

[Donalyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

O'Connor can take one event and describe in such detail that readers feels as if they're living the story. Another excellent character study (or should I say pigeon study?).

[Carterkempgmail.Com · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another O'Connor book where nothing really happens, but so well written you don't really mind.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

We listened to this one as a family on a road trip. It was a cute story. Two kids, Stella and Gerald are best friends, but Stella comes up with ideas that cause trouble. One day, the kids see a one legged pigeon and Stella wants to catch it to keep as a pet.
It tells the story through a few different people’s viewpoints, including the owner of the carrier pigeon and the liar boy.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This takes a while to come together, and there are a lot of moving parts, but when you stick with it to the end, it's a very satisfying read. Definitely one that should be handed to the more advanced middle grade readers in your school, as it does take attentive reading and focus to keep up with all the different story lines, but for those that can, it's a memorable, richly layered read.

[Kathy Monroe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am 65 years old and this sweet book transported me back to when life was simpler, carefree, and fun. This story is told from many people's points of view. Its hilarious, heart warming , endearing, and has those moments of 'what is going to happen? ' eve though you know it will have a great ending. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this very fun book.

[Hope Alden · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a charming children’s book but I didn’t find it quite as compelling as some of Barbara Oconnors other works. The story felt a bit drug on and repetitive. Definitely less character development and a lot more characters to keep track of. I liked the community element and the happy ending for Stella, but wouldn’t be my first rec for this author!

[Library K · Rating 2 out of 5]

3rd grade and up: Possibly 2 1/2 stars because one cannot fault the writing and character development. However, NOTHING happens in this story. A bird gets lost... and then is found. That's it. I can't see where this story would keep the interest of my students.

[Emily Wallace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book. I liked the change in point of view for each character. I don't have students pick this book up. I think it too out there for kids. It would be a great book to teach. I can see my 6th or 7th grade teachers using it.

[Hemavathy DM Suppiah-Devi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everybody needs somebody to love.
Everybody needs somebody to love them.

Not at all the kind of story I've learnt to expect from Barbara O'Connor, but still wonderful nonetheless.

[Dara · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story just didn’t grab me, but it was a quick read. The last chapter was lyrical and beautiful though, and ended the book perfectly.

[Gabriele Ewerts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very funny and vivid depiction of a southern small town. Loved the cute story.

[Bloss ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

The only thing I liked about this was the one-legged pigeon and the dog. I found the “people bits” cluttered it up, overall. The cover illustration is brilliant.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

You won't find car chases or superheroes, but you'll find a gentle story of the dreams, worries, and hopes that Sherman, a homing pigeon who has wandered from his home evokes among the townsfolk of Meadville, South Carolina. Stella wants him as a pet, and enlists her friend Gerald to help her, and a the same time thwart her brother Levi (and his scabby kneed, germ infested gang of friend) from getting him. Amos and Ethel Roper, the Meadville version of the Bickersons, argue about the one legged pigeon (and a little brown dog) who have invaded their barn and their lives. Mr Mineo and his dog Ernie spend their days searching for the wayward Sherman. Mutt Reynard, the Meadville boy who cried wolf, wants to catch him to prove to everyone he wasn't lying about a one legged pigeon landing on his head. And Luther and Edsel play checkers outside the Chinese restaurant, and watch the town children run around town on their hunt for the bird. The plot isn't complicated, but is told in such a droll, delightful way, with the characters all very real. I could see a teacher using this as a discussion book in a class. The descriptions, style of writing (with humorous descriptors repeating frequently in the text), and the winding threads of the story would be great to dissect and discuss. Received an audio version of this book via the Early Reviewer program at Library thing.

[Bookandahug · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hot summer days in the quiet neighborhoods of Meadville, South Carolina, are about to be disturbed by the arrival of a one-legged pigeon and a little brown dog. Meet Stella, her friend, Gerald, Arthur Mineo, rightful owner of the pigeon along with his dog, Ernie, Luther and Edsel who play checkers and battle a mischievous truck engine, Amos and Ethel Roper who love to argue, and Mutt Raynard who lies.

This is a story of friendship, of bullies, of partners in crime, and of the magical power of dogs and birds to transform the ordinary, the routine, the possibly hopeless into something oh so much more.

Barbara O'Connor has magic in her pen and in her heart. She is one of those authors who notices, remembers and shares the little feelings and the small moments and intersections in lives that weave together to make a big story. Here she laces the lives of all of her wonderful small town characters together. They all have the same mission it turns out whether they know it or not. It has something to do with a bird and something to do with the wonder of our stories and our lives and how we share them with each other. Delightful. Refreshing. Satisfying. 181 pages Ages 8-12 978-0374380021

[Tami · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this new addition to Ms. O’Connor’s body of work. I liked the quirkiness of the characters from Stella and Gerald to Mr Mineo, to Sherman the one-legged pigeon.

The story is told by switching from one narrative perspective to another—although not in first person. I was engaged in the action throughout the story—an effect I believe is due to the swiftly shifting narrative perspectives, it backfires as a literary device when it comes to character. I found myself wanting deeper character development particularly in the children: Stella and Gerald. It seems to me that there is so much more to be learned about them, but each time we approach some insightful, revealing moment the narrative switches to two old men playing checkers for half a page.

I do not recommend this as a read-aloud selection because there is so little character development. I do not see this story holding the interest of the majority of students in a classroom. A much better choice by this author is FAME AND GLORY IN FREEDOM, GEORGIA (my absolute favorite by this author) or for slightly older readers (middle school and up): GREETINGS FROM NOWHERE.

[C.E. G · Rating 3 out of 5]

Soooooo the tendency I had to procrastinate in school has carried on into my professional life. Yesterday I found myself realizing that I have to read 17 books for 4th-5th graders in the next 2.5 weeks. I was given the list of books in May...

But better late than never. This is the first on my list, and thank the gods it was a relatively short read.

At first, the story seemed super boring - a bunch of kids and townsfolk chasing after a one-legged pigeon. That's it? No one has special powers? But then as I read more I remembered all those weird ambitions I chased after so stubbornly as a child -- I'm going to develop telekinesis by staring at this pencil every day for hours and willing it to move. I'm going to dig a hole to China with this spade in the garden. I'm going to get this dying bat I found in my garage to imprint on me and fly behind me wherever I go. And I think O'Connor really captures that juvenile fascination and determination.

This book would also be a good one for a classroom discussion.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this story a one-legged pigeon who unites many different people with one purpose: catch that pigeon!
Mr. Mimeo wants to catch the pigeon, Sherman, because Sherman is part of his pigeon flock. Stella and Gerald want to catch the pigeon because Stella wants a pet. Gerald is involved because Stella is his friend and she is forever getting him into trouble with her projects. He just cannot say no. Mutt Raynard wants to catch the pigeon because no one believes it landed on his head. No one believes him because he is a perpetual liar. Mutt wants to prove he is not lying! Ethel and Amos want to catch the pigeon because it lives in their barn attracting a brown dog who howls keeping Amos awake. Levi, CJ, and Jiggs want to get the pigeon because Stella and Gerald want it.
This is a fun story about life in a small town and how one thing, a on-legged pigeon, can be the thread that connects them all. I expected to find this book dull, but instead found a fun, easy read.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sherman, a one-legged homing pigeon, flies the coop and doesn't return to Mr. Mineo. What he does instead is catches the eye of several people in a small town: Stella, who always wanted a dog for a pet but would settle for a pigeon; Gerald, Stella's friend and "yes" man, who's just tired of being picked on; Mutt Raynard, the boy who cried wolf, who wants to catch the pigeon to prove he wasn't lying about it; Ethel, who's more concerned about the little brown dog that seems to be shepherding the pigeon; and Levi, the town troublemaker who just wants to get the pigeon before Stella does. Sherman leads them all on a merry chase until they all come together at the lake. But they discover a few things about themselves along the way.

Barbara O'Connor writes books that feel like a lazy, summer afternoon. Not a lot happens, but still very satisfying to the soul.

[Akoss · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had no idea a one-legged pigeon had the ability to lighten up a small town until I met Sherman. He ran away from "home" (I suspected there was an argument with Amy his companion) to the nearby small town, and drove kids and adults alike anxious with the desire to capture him. Really, who wouldn't want to own a one-legged pigeon?

I loved reading this book. I went through it in one sitting which is amazing considering I'm not a devoted contemporary middle grade fiction reader. The voice was loud and fun with a colorful and quirky cast of characters. They all came together because of Sherman the one-legged pigeon and the event changed their lives. There was a little bit of mayhem but it was all for a good cause.

The writing also made for a good read-aloud with short and lively sentences. Everyone should have this book on their shelves.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is just plain fun. It is late summer in Meadville, South Carolina, and Sherman hasn't returned with the other homing pigeons in Mr. Mineo's small flock. During eight days a diverse bunch of children and adults are brought together by Sherman and a little brown dog.

Barbara O'Connor has created an adventure for early chapter book readers with a cast of characters who range from childhood bullies to a grumpy old couple who love to argue. At the center of it all is Sherman, a one-legged homing pigeon who can't seem to find his way home and manages to become the center of attention for all of these characters. They all have their own reasons for wanting to catch Sherman, and that is what drives this wonderfully crafted story.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another great realistic fiction possible WAW nominee. A one-legged pigeon attracts the attention of five different groups from the same small southern town. Mr. Mineo is missing one of his homing pigeons, so is driving around looking for him. Stella wants a dog, but when she finds the pigeon and plays with him, she decides he would be a good pet. Her mean brother Levi knows Stella wants him, so tries to find him first. Then the pigeon lands on Mutt's head, but he lies all the time, so no one believes him. And finally, the pigeon spends several nights in Ethel and Amos' barn with a little brown dog, who barks keeping them up at night. Ethel starts feeding them and worries when they don't come back. Eventually they all come together!

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seems Mr. Mineo's one-legged pigeon has been missing for quite a few days and he's worried. This same one-legged pigeon has affected the lives of chums Stella(who wants to keep the pigeon as a pet)and Gerald (who is a little frustrated that he can't say NO to Stella). Levi and his scabby-kneed, germ-infested friends also want to get their hand on this pigeon, not to mention Mutt Raynard who nobody believed when he told them the bird landed on his head. And then there's the little brown dog and Amos and and Ethel who can't stop arguing about the bird or the dog. What's a pigeon to do? You'll get caught up in Barbara O'Connor's story from the very first page. This is a sure-fire read aloud for grades 4-6. Lots of humor and great writing!

[Ms.Gaye · Rating 2 out of 5]

O'Connor is good at bringing characters to life and there exists a tension among the various people trying to catch the pigeon, but other than being curious about the connection between the dog and the pigeon, I had little desire to find out what would happen. Adult characters with names Edsel, Luther, and Ethel and words like 'diddly-squat', 'gol-dern-it' and 'hisself' held no appeal for me. While I loved the regional dialogue used in Three Times Lucky, this book lacked the same appeal. I kept it around for weeks but never finished reading it.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would say that you'd have to be a ding-dong doodlebrain to not like Barbara O'Connor's writing and On the Road to Mr. Mineo's, but that would just be rude. Instead, I'll tell you why I do.

First of all, she uses words like ding-dong doodlebrain. How great is that? Second, her characters are so believable, you'd swear you actually know them. Or that you are one of them. Third, her kids think and act like kids. Fourth, she kind of makes me proud to live in South Carolina. And finally, her writing is just plain fun.