Mister and Me

by Kimberly Willis Holt, Leonard Jenkins (Illustrations)

Jolene's family was just Momma and Grandpa until big, loud Leroy Redfield started taking Momma dancing. Jolene refuses to call him anything but "Mister." Without a name, he isn't a real person to her. But then Jolene learns that Mister wants to marry Momma. Is there anything Jolene can do to make him go away?

"The warmth and love in the Johnson household envelops the novel... Jolene's willingness to face the uncertainties of her future may well give courage to readers confronting sea changes of their own."- Publishers Weekly



( New York Public Library "100 Titles for Reading and Sharing"
( A Texas Bluebonnet Master List Book

Genres: Historical Fiction, Childrens, African American

80 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Kimberly Willis Holt is the author of the Piper Reed series, including Piper Reed, Navy Brat, Piper Reed, Clubhouse Queen, and Piper Reed, Rodeo Star. She has written many award-winning novels, including The Water Seeker and My Louisiana Sky, as well as the picture books Waiting for Gregory and Skinny Brown Dog. A former Navy brat herself, Holt was born in Pensacola, Florida, and lived all over the U.S. and the world—from Paris to Norfolk to Guam to New Orleans. Holt long dreamed of being a writer, but first worked as a radio news director, marketed a water park, and was an interior decorator, among other jobs. A few years after she started writing, her third book, When Zachary Beaver Came to Town, won a National Book Award for Young People's Literature. She resides in West Texas with her family.

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

Reviews

[Mishqueen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some authors really remember what it's like to think like a child, and some authors just do their best to imagine it (I'm looking at you, Orson Scott Card! ha ha). However, Holt really remembers. She did a great job of taking the reader back to their childhood and letting us relive the imaginations and point of view we once had. I confess, I was touched deeply.

[Mr. Cody · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE THIS BOOK.

[Tiara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite book since 3rd grade

I love this book and would recommend it to anyone. It has been my favorite book since I was a third grader! I had a have a hard copy signed by the author!!!!

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little girl comes to terms with her mother's new boyfriend in 1940s Louisiana.

[SKP · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a retired children’s librarian, I don’t read as many children’s books as I used to, but every now and then, I find one I can’t resist. I always liked this author’s books set in the great state of Louisiana, and her writing is so good. This was a great story, the characters came to life, the humor and love shining through. Her metaphors were the best, and the descriptions superb. I could almost taste Mister’s cornbread. Short but super sweet.

[Cassidy Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have so enjoyed Kimberly Willis Holt’s books. This one is just as amazing. Very important lesson about parents dating after a previous marriage or arrangement. Loved the character development!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Jolene's momma brings a new man into her life Jolene is left feeling the empty hole left by her father. She learns to cope with those feelings and accept "Mister" into her life.

[Mary E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

True-to-life; great read for kids of divorce; set in 1960s but relevant today

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cleaning out the library, I stumbled upon this books. Set in the 1940's, it's still relevant today.

[Darlene Ledford · Rating 5 out of 5]

good book

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute enough LFL find. More for the target audience (young children); less universal. I do like Jolene's spunk though... she could be any loved girl anywhere.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this book during the first few weeks of school and it was alright. There were some parts and themes that stood out to me, but overall it was just okay. The kids really enjoyed it though

[Chleo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grow up without a dad beside me. And then my mom find a new guy to love. Like this book is so related to my life. You can really imagine things. And how sweet 'Mister' is.

[Zorimar · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story "Mister And Me" is about a young girl named Jolene. It takes place in a small village in the year of 1940. Jolene and her mother are inseparable. They do everything together and are always together. Jolene believed her, her mother and grandfather alone were more than enough and was all her mother needed. Jolene's father passed away when she was just a little girl, so now all she had was her mother and her grandfather. Her mother meets a guy named Leroy. He begins to take her out to dance and they seem to be getting long very well. Jolene really doesn't like the idea. She doesn't like Leroy at all. But that doesn't stop her mom from being happy. Aunt Josephine gets very sick and grandpa and mom must travel to see her. Jolene is left with Leroy until they return. During the weeks of it just being Jolene and Leroy, Jolene notices he isn't as bad as she thought. Mom returns and notices the difference in Jolene and how she felt about Leroy. Leroy asks her mom to marry him and she accepts. The whole family is happy and Jolene now sees that her and grandpa weren't enough before, but it's enough now.
This story was very nice and short. Its told from first person point of view and it shows the way Jolene thought and felt throughout everything. While reading this book I thought about when I was also just a little girl and I hated seeing my date. It gave me many flashbacks that now today I laugh about.

[Tyrataylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

the book is good

[Isabel Orama · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the best book I have ever read in my life. I just finished the book today. It was about a girl named Jolene. All the characters in the story are, Jolene's mother, Jolene's grandfather, Jolene's best friend, and Leroy.

Jolene is a little girl which her father died when she was young. She really missed her father. She was afraid that her mother would marry again. She was afraid that her mom would marry again because then there would be another member in her family and that would change her mother. It would change her mother because he will be taking her out dancing every Friday night instead going to the theaters with her mom and best friend.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this book with my kids during the summer of 2010 while we ran back and forth in town. I wanted to get a taste of Holt's writing (a local author). I didn't expect to fall in love with her characters or the storyline. Holt truly is a gifted story teller and I can't wait to read more if her books.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this author. Chalk another one up for juve. fiction. A little African American girl that lives with her mom and grandpa struggles to accept her mom's new boyfriend, who is very different from the memories of her own father. Set around the 50's, I'm guessing.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story of a girl coming to terms with a new father figure after the death of her own years before.

[Marcie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super fast read and super cute! I loved the ending. I'll probably read this with Melanie when she's about 7 or 8. :)

[Helen · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's been a while since I've read this book. Seems like I didnt like it when I read it. Can't remember what the book was about though. Guess it didn't make an impression on me.

[Bird · Rating 4 out of 5]

An educational easy read. It was great

[Celeste · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartwarming story about change and acceptance. Suitable for a third grader, although an adult can learn from it, too! A very quick read!

[Janel G. B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The historical setting enriches the story without impeding the connections young students will surely make to the main character, Jolene. A sweet story.

[Deborah Harris]

AR Quiz No. 25216 EN Fiction
Accelerated Reader Quiz Information IL: MG - BL: 4.1 - AR Pts: 2.0
Accelerated Reader Quiz Type Information AR Quiz Types: RP, VP

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to try buttermilk pie

[Rebecca Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Childhood FAV! Such a sweet book that gives me so much joy to think about!

[Woman_gotta_have_it · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute little book for young children