Pookie Aleera Is Not My Boyfriend

by Steven Herrick

A heart-warming tale about friendship, grief, and the importance of baked goods, this book tells the stories of the kids from Class 6A. There's Mick, school captain and sometime trouble-maker, who wants to make the school a better place, while his younger brother Jacob just wants to fly. There's shy and lonely Laura who hopes to finally fit in with a circle of friends, while Pete struggles to deal with his grandpa's sudden death. Popular Selina obsesses over class comedian Cameron, while Cameron obsesses over Anzac biscuits and Pookie Aleera--whoever that is! For new teacher Ms. Arthur, it's another world, but Mr. Korsky, the school groundskeeper, has seen it all before.

Genres: Middle Grade, School, Childrens, Young Adult, Poetry, Friendship, Humor

214 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was delighted with this book - a great story in verse for both boys and girls. Funny, charming, clever and heartwarming. Year 5+

[Katya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pookie Aleera is not my boyfriend is a charming, funny and entertaining book, showing the life of 5 kids in a small town in Queensland, Australia. It is written in verse but does not rhyme.

Great book! I recommend it to 7+

:D

[Ellie Denniss · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. Especially when I didn't even expect to like it.

I love this book.

You don't understand. I love this book.

And it's surprising because I didn't even expect to like it.

I have to admit that even though I'm a writing/English/literature students, I've never read a verse novel before (shame on me, I know). In fact, I've never even heard of a verse novel until I read this book and I probably would never learn about it if university had not prescribed this book to me as required reading. At first, I was unenthusiastic about the compulsory reading, but since I had no choice (well, I do, but I'd rather not fail just because I was too lazy to read, thanks) I sucked up whatever complaint I had churning inside of me and opened the book to the first page.

Literally the best decision ever.

I'd like to talk about the quality of the poems in the novel, but since I've no experience in what makes a technically good poem, I'd go straight to the characters, which the main thing that made the novel so successful to me.

Now, I'm mostly a prose person. Poetry scares me because of my inability to write it—I think poetry has this ability to convey an infinite number of things by saying so little and I can't do that, so I stick with prose, where I can explain myself better. So unless coerced to, I wouldn't even touch poetry with a ten-foot pole. Because of this, I was a bit skeptical on the connection I could have with the novel. I'm already biased against it and my only saving grace was the fact that since the novel's all poetry, I could get it over with quickly.

But Pookie Aleera is pure magic.

Pookie Aleera definitely conveys an infinite number of things by saying so little and it definitely stole my heart. There were no blocks of text for exposition or descriptions; no paragraphs for explanations and back stories. There are just the characters and what they feel and their own stories. And it works in the most wonderful way.

The characters are the main driving force of the novel and they carried it all the way to the last page, leaving me to want more. They are sympathetic and they are easy to relate to. My heart ached for Pete when he talked about his grandfather's death. I was devastated about Mr Korsky's grief about his friend, and I thought that Mick's absolutely adorable. In so little words, Herrick manages to give the characters individual personalities and voices. What each of the characters talk about are so unique to them that I don't need anything beyond they're telling me. What they talk about is poignant, containing stories that are not easily forgettable.

Also, Laura is my kindred spirit. Her part of the story just... ugh. Made me teary every time.

I love this book. I love it. I love it.

Thanks university for prescribing me this book, one of the best decisions you've ever made!

[Gaby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book. One that I think will appeal to any child as it is from the point of view of multiple students (and a groundskeeper). In a world of Dear Dumb Diary Let's Pretend This Never Happened and other tween novels that often show the unkind nature of young children and teachers Herrick's book is delightful. If you are reading/promoting novels on bullying to older primary students, then this is a great book to follow up. It is positive, but shows the kids having fun. They joke along with the teacher - not at her expense. Brothers Mike and Jacob like and support each other. This books also gives some insight into living in country Australia.

[Anthony Dalton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite being a children's novel, I read for the 'children's literature' component of my university course, I really enjoyed this. Written in verse form from the perspective of half a dozen or so kids and a couple of adults, the alternating narrative allows for insight into life within the schoolyard and the fringes of society of a small rural Australian community. Often laugh out loud funny, interspersed with moments of poignancy, this novel possesses an understated depth that is so often lacking in much of today's supposed adult literature.

[Adele Broadbent · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the way this was written - in a poetry format. What I really liked was stepping into the head of all the different classmates (even the caretaker) and seeing their different view on things.

It always intrigues me how we have a perception of ourselves, often completely different from other's perceptions of us.

[nallereads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute book. It really takes me back to being a child at school, I was smiling and 'aww-ing' all the way through. Children are such innocent creatures.

[Bella · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this after enjoying the Constable Dawe poem in This is Home: Essential Australian Poems for Children , a collection of poems edited by Jackie French.

I loved it. Wanted more! I was reading as an eBook and suddenly I was at the recipes at the end. I thought I'd find out who Cameron met at the river. Was it Selina? Also, I would have loved to see things improve for Laura, not just the implication that they would.

The verse was so evocative of the people and place. I would love there to be a sequel.

Covers some difficult topics (death, regret, bullying, butterflies being killed, standing up for yourself) in a thoughtful way. Not condescending or victimising, just looking at things from the kids point of view in a compassionate way. There was also plenty of humor - Senior Constable Dawe was fabulous.

[Adam Byatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written for the younger reader (I picked it up during a reading lesson at my school library - suitable for Year 7 or 8) Herrick's style is accessible, engaging and absorbing. He packs in so much to his verse novels in so few words. Each poem has its own personality, based on the person whose chapter it is (one of Herrick's tell tale structures to have multiple narrators) and it is easy to slip into the world space of the characters.
Class 6A starts the year with a new teacher, Ms Arthur, and the roll call of personalities you would expect to find in a small town school. They bust beyond their tropes to become nuanced characters, and I found myself filling in the blanks while reading.
There is a gentleness and softness to Herrick's style; it is warm and engaging yet still tackling big issues. I think it allows younger readers to be shown their experiences are valid, and worthy of attention.
It's not a long read but it's underlying message of kindness resonates and holds you.

[Judy Wollin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this verse novel. It tells the story of Rachel and her friend’s school life. Each student presents their experiences from their point of view. This makes for a feeling of closeness and immediacy with the characters—a rich collection of characters and life experiences.
Recommended for readers aged eight years and older. The brevity of each character’s chapter and the loads of white space make it a fast-paced story. Reluctant readers would enjoy this read too.

[Joanne Keevers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Pookie Aleera Is Not My Boyfriend for a university subject.

When I began reading the book it seemed a bit disjointed as each section is written by a different child. After a few pages though I got into the swing of the story and really enjoyed the sense of humour and kindness shown by students in class 6A.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this novel to see if it would be suitable for my Year 7 class, and I was surprised by the depth and emotion that Herrick was able to create, through the use of simple language and verse. At times the novel was humourous, and at other moments heart-breaking. A perfect use of poetry to create a heart-warming narrative.

[Francesca Pashby · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a verse novel I was checking out as a possible read aloud ... it started well enough, but I don't think it had quite enough 'oomph' to capture my (school) kids attentions.

Worth having in the library though.

[Sarah Fairbairn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute story with a beautiful message behind it. A joy to read.

[Neil Crowle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great verse novel about a group of kids in a rural primary school, the whole story told through the eyes of each child in the group. Very clever premise, aimed at young adolescents.

[Anna Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gorgeous verse novel about a group of friends growing up in an Australian country town. It’s a beautiful, gentle story of friendship.

[Abi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was really cute. A book about friendship, love, grief, and kindness. Also teaches kids about how to be safe living in Australia's environment, such as dealing with things like bush fires.

[Archie Handler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pookie Aleera is a truly incredible book, with funny moments, a well written story and a beautiful message. I loved it.

[Ashleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love love loved this book it is so funny and such a joy to read

[Hannah Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excited to teach this funny book to the Yr 6s next year!

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute. Read for uni, nice to have something fairly light to read for once. Easy read, entertaining. Bet I would have enjoyed it when I was younger.

[SecondStar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read in one sitting (well, including an ice cream break), for my uni class and very much enjoyed! 12 revisited in a lovely way, and noted gender roles etc for class was an interesting focal lens.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gentle verse novel from Steven Herrick is fantastic. I loved all the characters, especially Cameron and Mick, and most especially Laura and Mr Korsky. I laughed, I cried and I felt the life in all the students of 6A and those who surround them. Mick is a bit of a rough diamond - a rogue with a heart of gold. Mr Korsky could be the groundskeeper in so many schools - a guy who is proud of the job he does - making the school grounds look nice, but also a bloke who sees the best in all the kids. Laura, the quiet girl on the outskirts of "the gang" could have been me at that age. I identified with her shyness, and longing to be part of something bigger.
There is a lot of longing in this book - Mr Korsky misses his best friend Walter, Pete misses his grandfather, Cameron misses his phone (sorry, in joke)....
The language Herrick employs is superb, and the message that poetry and playing with language is fun is well and truly communicated in Ms Arthur's class. The poem where the children are asked to describe the words "Night Sky" is wonderful. "It's where shooting stars write their name" "It's lightning graffiti!" - all just fantastic language play. The verse where Ms Arthur tells the class they can borrow anything they want from the library EXCEPT poetry- and over half the class walks out with just that. All inspired stuff. I get the feeling Steven Herrick may have used that trick himself!
I really enjoyed this book. Maybe I'll find a tree to wedge an apple into....
For ages 8 and up.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was introduced to this book when my daughter (12) announced that she wanted to read me a favourite bit from a book she had borrowed from the library. As she read it, she couldn't stop cracking up with laughter. Soon I was laughing too. That's the kind of book this is. Of course, I had to read it myself after that, and I wasn't disappointed. In addition to the funny bits, there are parts that are very poignant and moving. This short novel in verse is written from numerous points of view, including quite a few classmates and a teacher. From the "short moment in time" description in each chapter, a larger story gradually emerged. I haven't done this book justice but, in a nutshell, it was great. So what are you waiting for? Recommended particularly for tweens.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I honestly did not expect to enjoy a verse novel that much, but Pookie Aleera is not my Boyfriend surprised and enchanted me. Before I knew it, I had been captivated by all of these voices and the town in which they live. The story itself may be quickly read but the emotions it invokes will last for much longer.

[Meg Denman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A most enjoyable read. I admired Ms Arthur who says: "It's not pop stars or actors or supermodels or celebrities or millionaires or sports stars who are lucky and special ... It's someone who has a partner a friend a parent who loves them." As a teacher and parent that resonates very clearly with me. I am looking forward to reading other verse novels by Steven Herrick, 'Untangling Spaghetti' and 'Rhyming Boy.'

[Ivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very cute book about all the different stories from each student at a school across what I think is the course of a few weeks. The writing is interesting, the little snippets are almost poem like in the way they are laid out, and it is a sweet and amusing story. I picked this up because it was featured at our local library as a finalist in the awards this year, and because it had such a catchy title. My 9 year old son also enjoyed it.

[Tanja · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story about school, community, family and friendship that will make your heart melt, just like the chocolate of Laura's crisp and sweet chocolate cackles (recipe at the end of the book). Written in verse and told from the perspective of the various children and adults in the story, I could imagine this to be a really nice read-aloud to share and discuss as a class at the beginning of a school year.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steven Herrick and verse novels - what is there not to like? Like Ms Arthur, the new teacher of 6A, I wanted to hang around a little longer with these kids. As always Herrick has captured these young voices in his succinct verses. I just wish I had a class to share this with as it calls to be read out loud!