And Don't Bring Jeremy

by Marilyn Levinson

Sixth-grader Adam Krasner wishes every family decision wasn’t based on his brother Jeremy and Jeremy’s problems. The Krasners have even moved to a new town because it has a great school system for kids with disabilities. If only Jeremy didn’t always act so goofy. And if only their mother didn’t insist that both brothers be placed on the same Little League team, especially since Jeremy couldn’t catch a fly ball if his life depended on it.

Making friends in a new school isn’t easy, which is why Adam’s excited when Eddie, his coach’s son, starts spending time with him. Eddie’s the best player on their team and in seventh grade, like Jeremy. Eddie invites Adam to join some of the team for pizza before Saturday’s game. Adam’s about to ask if Jeremy can come, too,, when Eddie tells him, “And don’t bring Jeremy.”

Adam becomes friendly with some of the members of the team. Eddie, he soon learns, often lies and makes fun of Jeremy every chance he can. Still, when Eddie comes to apologize, Adam agrees to be friends again. Issues continue to escalate between Jeremy and Eddie. And then Jeremy’s accused of doing something truly awful, forcing Adam to take a stand and support his brother.

69 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1985

Reviews

[Martha Cheves · Rating 5 out of 5]

And Don't Bring Jeremy - Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat; Think With Your Taste Buds; A Book and A Dish




"Adam?”

I turned around to see what Eddie wanted.

“We— Mark and Danny and me—well, we were thinking of going out for pizza before the game tomorrow. At Gino's. Want to come?”


"Sure, why not? I'll check with my mom and let you know." I shrugged my shoulders, trying to shake the uneasy feeling that just took hold of me. What was wrong?

"Great. Meet us there at twelve. Bring your bicycle. Then we'll ride over to the field early and practice before the rest of the team comes”

I suddenly knew. “All right." In spite of myself, Mom's drilling me to try to include Jeremy whenever I could won out. "But is it alright if I— “

"And Adam—“

“Hmm?”

His voice cut across my question. "And don't bring Jeremy. Okay?"




Sixth grader Adam and his older brother Jeremy are new to the neighborhood, and Adam is finding it hard to make friends. When Adam joins a Little League baseball team, his mother sees to it that Jeremy, who has disabilities and no interest in baseball, is placed on the same team. Because Jeremy is awkward and always doing something to embarrass Adam, Adam is ashamed to have people know that Jeremy is his brother. When Eddie Gordon, the coach’s son, befriends Adam, he makes it very clear that he wants no part of Jeremy.




Adam and Eddie spend more time together, and Adam finds himself saying nothing when Eddie calls Jeremy names and picks on him. Jeremy tells Adam that Eddie has done some bad things, but Adam defends Eddie. And then Eddie accuses Jeremy of ruining the sets for the sixth grade’s play. Adam learns a few home truths about Eddie Gordon and just how strong the bond between brothers can be.




When I started reading this book I felt the pain that Adam and Jeremy both felt. This book brings to light the emotions and difficulties children who have siblings like Jeremy must face. Even though this is a book written for children/young adults, to me it is one that needs to be read by all young people who have a slower sibling. It needs to be read by all parents that have a child with any kind of handicap. It needs to be read by every teacher. Actually... this book needs to be a #1 seller and read by everyone, young and old, whether you do or don't have dealings with a disabled or challenged child OR adult. I really feel it will help you to see that person in a totally different light. This isn't a hard book to read. I read it in 2 nights but learned a life's worth of knowledge.

[Aaron Rudolph · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this short novel in the fourth grade and I have reread it twice as an adult. It was the first book that I noticed as a work that had been constructed by another person because the story was so compelling and mesmerizing that I wondered who created these characters and scenes and how close were they to the author’s own experience. Marilyn Levinson and her characters, good guys and bad guys alike, made me think about creating my own stories. Thats a great gift.