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George Upside Down
From watching television to eating lunch, George likes to live his life upside-down, so when his family and teachers decide to teach him a lesson by going topsy-turvy as well, George sees that he isn't that unique anymore and begins to think living right-side up may be the best way to go.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published March 10, 2003
3 people are currently reading
9 people want to read
About the author
Meghan Mccarthy
33 books70 followersChildren's book author of many wonderful fiction and nonfiction books for young readers, including the below following. Meghan's books have won the IRA-CBC Children's Choice, ALA Notable, Kirkus Reviews Reviewer's Choice, Booklist Best Books, NYPL 100 Best Books, SLJ Best Books, and so on. Blah blah blah, what Meghan really wants to do is drive really fast and jump in really long grass until she gets grass stains. She'd prefer to remain child-like because children don't have to pay bills.
The Wall Street Journal described Meghan’s art as “goofy yet somehow dignified.” Meghan is much the same way. By the age of 40 she plans to wear a boa at all times and on all occasions.
The Wall Street Journal described Meghan’s art as “goofy yet somehow dignified.” Meghan is much the same way. By the age of 40 she plans to wear a boa at all times and on all occasions.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 4, 2019
Having read a variety of works by the author relating to history and culture, this book is somewhat different from the rest but similar in the sense that it features appealing drawings and is aimed at children. As is often the case with good books aimed at children, though, this book offers something to the adult reader that is worth paying attention to, and a reader who bought or got this book from the library to read to a child who did not think there was anything of personal relevance would be missing something in the author's interest in the psychology of children and in subtle ways of influencing behavior that do not involve the sort of attempts at coercion that I grew up with and that have become increasingly stigmatized in more recent decades. Moreover, the lesson, to the extent that one seeks for a lesson in a book like this, that is provided is not only of use in dealing with children but is also a reminder of a particular quality that subcultures in general have that is also had by quirky and eccentric children (and the quirky and eccentric adults that they become).
This book as a whole is a simple one, as many books for young readers are. George likes to do many things upside down, including reading, playing music, and dreaming, among other things. Not everyone, and this especially includes the adults in his life, like him being upside down so much, especially when this makes him a distraction in class when he pretends to be a bat. His parents and teachers, tutor, school nurse, the principal are all ineffective at trying to coerce George into standing right side up until they do something that thwarts his efforts at being unusual and do handstands themselves so that they are upside down too. Once he is no longer unique by being upside down, George decides to do something else that distinguishes him, and to become a superhero who looks for opportunities to rescue cats and presumably others. Who knows how long this will last, but the characterization of the author seems to indicate that this desire to be unique and unusual is something that is likely to be lasting, and the author is kind enough not to discuss the sort of bullying that goes on from peers for those who stick out, and only focuses on the problems it creates with adult authority figures, or this would have been a much darker book in nature.
Even a book as silly as this one, though, has something serious to say. Why is it that George wants to be different? He seems to revel in drawing attention from adult authority figures, even if it is negative attention, and he seems to be a somewhat imaginative and daydreamy sort of child as well. What are his relationships with his peers? Do they make fun of him or just try to ignore him as an insufferable showoff of what? And what applies to George here applies to many others as well. Those who desire to make themselves unique and separate themselves from the herd will change their behavior and language if what they are saying and doing becomes too mainstream. It is for this reason that the cant of young people and the behavior of hipsters has become increasingly extreme, and why progressives continually change their targets whenever they have achieved one form of social change. So long as there is resistance between themselves and the greater society at large, they are content to be on the cutting edge, but when their positions become too mainstream they have to switch to other areas to be distinctive. George may be cute in this book, but others like him are dangerous to society and its well-being as a whole.
This book as a whole is a simple one, as many books for young readers are. George likes to do many things upside down, including reading, playing music, and dreaming, among other things. Not everyone, and this especially includes the adults in his life, like him being upside down so much, especially when this makes him a distraction in class when he pretends to be a bat. His parents and teachers, tutor, school nurse, the principal are all ineffective at trying to coerce George into standing right side up until they do something that thwarts his efforts at being unusual and do handstands themselves so that they are upside down too. Once he is no longer unique by being upside down, George decides to do something else that distinguishes him, and to become a superhero who looks for opportunities to rescue cats and presumably others. Who knows how long this will last, but the characterization of the author seems to indicate that this desire to be unique and unusual is something that is likely to be lasting, and the author is kind enough not to discuss the sort of bullying that goes on from peers for those who stick out, and only focuses on the problems it creates with adult authority figures, or this would have been a much darker book in nature.
Even a book as silly as this one, though, has something serious to say. Why is it that George wants to be different? He seems to revel in drawing attention from adult authority figures, even if it is negative attention, and he seems to be a somewhat imaginative and daydreamy sort of child as well. What are his relationships with his peers? Do they make fun of him or just try to ignore him as an insufferable showoff of what? And what applies to George here applies to many others as well. Those who desire to make themselves unique and separate themselves from the herd will change their behavior and language if what they are saying and doing becomes too mainstream. It is for this reason that the cant of young people and the behavior of hipsters has become increasingly extreme, and why progressives continually change their targets whenever they have achieved one form of social change. So long as there is resistance between themselves and the greater society at large, they are content to be on the cutting edge, but when their positions become too mainstream they have to switch to other areas to be distinctive. George may be cute in this book, but others like him are dangerous to society and its well-being as a whole.
May 2, 2018
George likes doing everything upside down, but sometimes that's not a good thing, like when he's at the dinner table, or in school, and this leads to trouble for George. After several encounters with adults, George finally changes his behavior, and finds something else to do to keep him out of trouble...Maybe!
May 16, 2018
George likes to do things that other people aren't doing, so when they start doing what he is doing, he starts doing something else.
September 2, 2011
George likes to be upside down. However, being upside down is not always acceptable as pointed out by his parents, teacher, tutor, nurse, and principal. George gets sent to the principal's office for a meeting and an out-of-the-box strategy grabs his attention and turns George right side up.
Young readers will find this story and illustrations funny. Parents, teachers, other adults could use this book as a door opener to discuss other behaviors that are not appropriate.
Young readers will find this story and illustrations funny. Parents, teachers, other adults could use this book as a door opener to discuss other behaviors that are not appropriate.
August 14, 2017
George is a little boy who likes to go upside down, even when it's not an appropriate time to be upside down. His parents and teachers try to get him to stay right side up, but nothing seems to work. Will they get George to stop going upside down? My son, a two-year-old, loves to go upside down. He thinks it's fun and funny, so he thought this book was funny. A silly, colorful book to read with a toddler.
July 23, 2009
The story's not anything to write home about, but the pictures are fun, especially the ones that look more normal when you turn them right side up.
August 23, 2009
I'm a huge fan of Meghan McCarthy, but this was far from her best.
September 28, 2010
George likes to be upside down, but it's not always appropriate. His parents and teachers come up with a way to get George to settle down...I mean up...
August 3, 2011
A short read. The illustrations were fun but the story was just okay for me.
September 29, 2011
Good book to begin a dialogue regarding behavior. Story left me a liitle flat though...
April 23, 2012
Lots of kids like to hang upside down and be silly.
February 1, 2012
Colorful and carefree. George just likes looking at the world in his own way which he does upside down.
March 8, 2012
After George starts doing everything upside down, his parents and teacher do the same and so he must think of something new.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews