What do you think?
Rate this book
Striped Ice Cream
Becky's hard-working mama and four older brothers and sisters try to surprise her on her eighth birthday. An exceedingly warm and satisfying story of a [African-American] city family that is true to childhood.' 'NYT. "Mama --" Becky said and waited. "My birthday's coming pretty soon. Will we have chicken-spaghetti and striped ice cream?"Mama sighed and said, "I don't know, Becky. Things were a little better last year."Not having something special to look forward to for a birthday was bad enough, but then the whole family seemed to turn against Becky. Life was lonely for the youngest in the family when everyone else started working on a project without her. Brother Abe even tried to keep her out of her own home during the day -- and playing baseball with Abe did not appeal to Becky.This is a story about a very real family -- the ups and downs, the quarrels and making-ups, and it is a story of Becky's happy birthday.
Hardcover
First published January 21, 1968
11 people are currently reading
236 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
October 16, 2014
I remember reading this book when I was in fourth grade just one time and while I remember loving it then, I hadn't given it another thought. That is until about 6 months ago when my daughter blossomed into quite the reader and I was trying to think of books I remembered reading and loving as a kid but as an adult, I could not remember the title! You can't imagine the crazy google searches that went on to try to figure it out! It is out of print now as it dates back to 1968!But I ordered a used copy from Amazon! I can't believe how many little detas I remembered from this story even after 35 years since
August 2, 2008
I read this when I was 10 years old and remember the story well. One of my favorite childhood books, I read my Scholastic copy over and over. I still have it!
May 23, 2012
One of my ALL-TIME favorite books growing up because it was was of the few in which the characters looked like me.
May 18, 2019
My memories of this book go back to 1988 when I was 10 years old. I had my tonsils and adenoids surgically removed; but, didn't bounce back right away. Complications led to a two week recovery period where I stayed in my bedroom and rested and slept and didn't do much outside of those two things for a full 14 days.
My mom would come to my room each night, snuggle up close to me in my twin bed, and read me a story to help me ponder things outside myself. Oh how I felt so spoiled and loved by her extra dose of attention. Not to mention, blessed by the stories she chose that have journeyed with me for 31 years and counting.
"Striped Ice Cream" is a really good read; especially, for middle school aged children and younger.
I was raised on hand me downs and could relate to the youngest character portrayed in this book. On one hand, wishing for something new that had always been mine alone; but, on the other hand looking through the bags of clothes received as a vast amount of priceless treasure.
I never felt as though hand me downs were given out of charity but out of care and love from friends of my family. Share what you have and all will prosper. Some won't be weighted down anymore and others will receive what they've never had before.
The family portrayed in "Striped Ice Cream" is very real and relateable. They show a wide variety of ages, amongst siblings, who pull together to help their mom and each other. They don't always get along but they do always seek to shoulder each other's burdens. They share within their lot in life by pulling together and doing their best to make it better.
They're all waiting for their ship to come in; but, not waiting for fate to bring it to them. They're working towards their dreams and in process seeing things brought to fruition.
A humble beginning, a humble life, can be filled with warmth, joy, and goodness. Riches aren't everything. Living in harmony, working together within shared goals, eliminates hardships and makes a way in a cold, hard world. You see through all around you and pick out the glory wrapped up in all of it too.
Perhaps, that's where true wealth is found? The ability to be happy within the smallest of moments and pleasures. Where a meal of pork 'n beans (hot dogs sliced up into baked beans) is enough to make you smile, say grace, and truly be thankful for the abundant plate of food before you.
I've now passed this book onto my own 10 year old daughter. A moment in time where life has come full circle for me and that of my family; be the keeper of books and gift them generously!
My mom would come to my room each night, snuggle up close to me in my twin bed, and read me a story to help me ponder things outside myself. Oh how I felt so spoiled and loved by her extra dose of attention. Not to mention, blessed by the stories she chose that have journeyed with me for 31 years and counting.
"Striped Ice Cream" is a really good read; especially, for middle school aged children and younger.
I was raised on hand me downs and could relate to the youngest character portrayed in this book. On one hand, wishing for something new that had always been mine alone; but, on the other hand looking through the bags of clothes received as a vast amount of priceless treasure.
I never felt as though hand me downs were given out of charity but out of care and love from friends of my family. Share what you have and all will prosper. Some won't be weighted down anymore and others will receive what they've never had before.
The family portrayed in "Striped Ice Cream" is very real and relateable. They show a wide variety of ages, amongst siblings, who pull together to help their mom and each other. They don't always get along but they do always seek to shoulder each other's burdens. They share within their lot in life by pulling together and doing their best to make it better.
They're all waiting for their ship to come in; but, not waiting for fate to bring it to them. They're working towards their dreams and in process seeing things brought to fruition.
A humble beginning, a humble life, can be filled with warmth, joy, and goodness. Riches aren't everything. Living in harmony, working together within shared goals, eliminates hardships and makes a way in a cold, hard world. You see through all around you and pick out the glory wrapped up in all of it too.
Perhaps, that's where true wealth is found? The ability to be happy within the smallest of moments and pleasures. Where a meal of pork 'n beans (hot dogs sliced up into baked beans) is enough to make you smile, say grace, and truly be thankful for the abundant plate of food before you.
I've now passed this book onto my own 10 year old daughter. A moment in time where life has come full circle for me and that of my family; be the keeper of books and gift them generously!
July 16, 2018
This was one of those books I checked out over and over circa 1972-1974, grades 2-4. Good book; helped me learn about how others lived in my country.
September 28, 2016
I read this book *years* ago in elementary school, and it always stuck with me. I think part of it was it really rocked my world view of food. Becky's favorite foods in the world are chicken spaghetti and striped ice cream. I was familiar with striped ice cream (even though I only ate the chocolate). But I'd never heard of "chicken spaghetti." Spaghetti goes with meatballs or meat sauce, but never chicken-- or so I thought until I read this book. It was only years later that I learned that chicken spaghetti is a classic southern dish.
I was so excited when I found a library edition of it, I immediately grabbed it up.
I was so excited when I found a library edition of it, I immediately grabbed it up.
April 14, 2013
Despite family hardships and personal sadness, Becky finds happiness in the smallest pleasures--a new dress, spaghetti with chicken and striped ice cream It still made me cry at the end. I love the story and characters in this book. The main character Becky, is easy for 3rd & 4th graders to relate to. This would be an excellent story for any child.
August 29, 2008
I remember reading this book in the 3rd grade. It was one of the first books I read in English and i LOVED it. Before this book reading was not something I did willingly; after reading this book, i started reading everything i could.
May 15, 2009
This book is the best. I have read it over three times.
March 24, 2012
Another one of my most favorite childhood books that I wore out by reading it so much.
February 17, 2013
I read this in 4th grade and it is still one of my favorites!
November 5, 2016
I was young (about ten) when I read this book. I loved it, and read it over and over. I felt it depicted very real life struggles within a family of money and relationships.
January 18, 2017
This book was one the sweetet books I have ever read about a big family. Coming from a big family I could really relate to the story line of clothes being passed down. I loved this book.
July 1, 2022
Picking up speed again for Vintage Fiction Week with a 1968 title! Inversely to the previous VFW entry, this book is actually older than I thought it was when I read it as a kid, mostly because my copy had an updated cover--likely late '80s/early '90s. I distinctly remember picking this up at a library book sale, because what's not to love about a book called Striped Ice Cream! (Exclamation point included!)
Becky, youngest of four in a black, single-parent family (we learn later in the story that their father left presumably out of shame that he could not support his family), cannot understand why her siblings are treating her so badly when her birthday is just around the corner. Why is being the youngest so hard?? She doesn't talk THAT much! And things are hard enough with refraining from asking her hard-working mother about whether or not they'll have chicken and spaghetti and then striped ice cream (!) for her birthday because she knows money is tight. Fortunately, she makes a friend in Luisa (possibly Hispanic?) despite the chaos, and it turns out all the secrecy was to hide the fact that everyone (sans Abe) was sewing a dress for Becky made of material that looks like STRIPED ICE CREAM!! Hoo boy, I do NOT envy their having to match up the stripes in the material.
What struck me from an adult perspective while reading the story is Lexau's subtle inclusion of profiling and even police violence--Becky is visibly shaking when a police officer confronts her, Abe, and a friend when the friend has climbed a tree to retrieve a baseball. The officer is kind toward the children, but the message is clear. Later, Becky is essentially kicked out of a store, even though she has money, because the clerk says kids cause trouble. Kids in general, or black kids? And finally, when Becky and her sister (can't remember which one) go swimming, they are told that girls need to have swimming caps (which cost MONEY, lady, and we need SHOES for SCHOOL) because they have long hair. Does this apply to girls of all races, I wonder?
The illustrations, drawn with charcoal, are quite striking because they portray Becky and her family as much darker than POC characters were generally portrayed at the time. Indeed, the updated cover of my old copy depicted the family as much lighter-skinned. And my absolute FAVORITE part of the book is when the family rummages through a "goodwill bag" (no affiliation with the store) given by a temporary employer, which is essentially a montage in text form. It also leads to a thoughtful discussion about charity and welfare and how the means in which charity is given directly impacts how the recipient is made to feel about their situation. Good stuff.
"This was written in 1968" department: fifty cents is big bucks, which equates to roughly $4.20 in today's money. Definitely a lot of money for a youngin' like Becky.
Becky, youngest of four in a black, single-parent family (we learn later in the story that their father left presumably out of shame that he could not support his family), cannot understand why her siblings are treating her so badly when her birthday is just around the corner. Why is being the youngest so hard?? She doesn't talk THAT much! And things are hard enough with refraining from asking her hard-working mother about whether or not they'll have chicken and spaghetti and then striped ice cream (!) for her birthday because she knows money is tight. Fortunately, she makes a friend in Luisa (possibly Hispanic?) despite the chaos, and it turns out all the secrecy was to hide the fact that everyone (sans Abe) was sewing a dress for Becky made of material that looks like STRIPED ICE CREAM!! Hoo boy, I do NOT envy their having to match up the stripes in the material.
What struck me from an adult perspective while reading the story is Lexau's subtle inclusion of profiling and even police violence--Becky is visibly shaking when a police officer confronts her, Abe, and a friend when the friend has climbed a tree to retrieve a baseball. The officer is kind toward the children, but the message is clear. Later, Becky is essentially kicked out of a store, even though she has money, because the clerk says kids cause trouble. Kids in general, or black kids? And finally, when Becky and her sister (can't remember which one) go swimming, they are told that girls need to have swimming caps (which cost MONEY, lady, and we need SHOES for SCHOOL) because they have long hair. Does this apply to girls of all races, I wonder?
The illustrations, drawn with charcoal, are quite striking because they portray Becky and her family as much darker than POC characters were generally portrayed at the time. Indeed, the updated cover of my old copy depicted the family as much lighter-skinned. And my absolute FAVORITE part of the book is when the family rummages through a "goodwill bag" (no affiliation with the store) given by a temporary employer, which is essentially a montage in text form. It also leads to a thoughtful discussion about charity and welfare and how the means in which charity is given directly impacts how the recipient is made to feel about their situation. Good stuff.
"This was written in 1968" department: fifty cents is big bucks, which equates to roughly $4.20 in today's money. Definitely a lot of money for a youngin' like Becky.
Currently reading
May 6, 2011This book is very good. Im eager to keep reading because its a good book an its very interesting and i always want to know whats going to happen next. Becky is a very good character , she kind of reminds me of how i was in my younger years. she is a interesting girl. Right now im almost done with the book and im going to be finish in the next two days so i need to go to the library. Im expecting becky to get her birthday wish which is to get striped ice cream and a good dinner because her family is not that wealthy at all . she lives with just her single mom an siblings.
July 13, 2024
I read this when I was in elementary school and still remember it. I picked it to read from the small library in my school class. It was an unusual book for me to read since it didn't have animals in it -- just people. My family was going through some hard times financially and so I could really identify with the protagonist.
The bit I remember after all of these years is that the little girl's favorite dinner was chicken in spaghetti, followed by striped ice cream, of course.
The bit I remember after all of these years is that the little girl's favorite dinner was chicken in spaghetti, followed by striped ice cream, of course.
September 9, 2007
In this book the moral of the story was mutual to me.The family reminded me a little bit of some of my family members.I learned that life is hard out there and having a different skin color than others sometimes is the main part of the issue.
October 22, 2009
I remember receiving this book as a birthday present. I read it and loved it. Unfortunately, I have lost many books along my treacherous journey from childhood to adulthood and I am sad that this is one of them. How I wish I could read this again.
February 8, 2011
Thank you, Grace Lin for mentioning this book in School Library Journal. One of my childhood favorites that I had forgotten about.
September 1, 2021
A sweet, poignant family story of a mama doing her best to teach her children how to make the best of their circumstances, as told from the perspective of the youngest of five. I checked this book out many times when I was growing up and am delighted to now own my own copy.
July 21, 2008
Another book from my childhood that I remember enjoying!
November 13, 2008
great book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Read
November 17, 2008very cute story about trials and tribulations and suprises.
January 21, 2009
This book ws beyond amazing. I read this book over the summer,actually and it was just a great lesson about selflessness and what it does give you,when you don't even expect it.
Read
June 4, 2009JEAR3-Lex
June 25, 2009
My favorite children's book. Read it over and over as a kid.
August 5, 2011
Used to own this. Need to buy it used.
October 1, 2013
I used to read this book a lot as a little child. I love it.
February 18, 2014
This was a very nice book. Becky really wants ice cream for her birthday and she did receive her wish. Hope many other people read this!!
January 25, 2016
Loved this book as a kid and have thought back to it often.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews