One Of Three

by Angela Johnson

A series of candid reflections by the youngest of three sisters on her daily relationships with her older sisters and family.

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Childrens, African American, Fiction

32 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1991

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Angela Johnson is the author of the Coretta Scott King Honor picture book When I Am Old with You; as well as A Sweet Smell of Roses, illustrated by Eric Velasquez; Just Like Josh Gibson, illustrated by Beth Peck; and I Dream of Trains, which was also illustrated by Loren Long. She has won three Coretta Scott King Awards, one each for her novels Heaven, Toning the Sweep, and The First Part Last. In recognition of her outstanding talent, Angela was named a 2003 MacArthur Fellow. She lives in Kent, Ohio.

Reviews

[Bookishrealm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great picture book by Angela Johnson that focuses on the relationship between three sisters. This is a great book to give to a younger reader who may be struggling with being the youngest in the family. While the story celebrates what it's like to spend time with siblings and all the fun things you typically do together, it also details what it's like when those same siblings want to exclude you for being the youngest in the group. Even as an only child, I felt as though Johnson did a great job capturing the emotional ups and downs that come with being a part of a larger family, but still feeling loved and cared for despite those difficult moments. The illustrations were absolutely gorgeous and reminded me of all the "old school" picture books I used to read when I was younger.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book that shows the joys of being a sibling - and the sad times of being left out by older siblings - something that many little kids can relate to. It's a warm, safe, sweet book that would be fun to read out loud. I love the illustrations that show realistic bodies - you can almost feel the curve of the parent's thighs.

#brownkids
#kidsofcolor
#girls
#maingirls
#urbansetting

[Quinn · Rating 2 out of 5]

good book to read to siblings, showing them its good in a group, its good alone, and its good with parents.

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s cute but nothing extraordinary.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The youngest of three sisters reflects on her loving sibling relationships. Very sweet. I am one of three too.

[Christopher Golden · Rating 2 out of 5]

Spoiler free review 🤗

[Dayona Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a biography and considering that I am also a youngest child I feel as though this is a great way to explain how a younger sibling may feel when they're left out of activities. This allows children to see they are not alone if they have older siblings. Being young children they may not always understand why they can't go places with their older siblings and receiving this message can be good and helpful to allow children to understand the differences and still love their family! Also the plot was strong to me it discussed an issue and also they found the resolution of it. I'm sure a lot of children whose this book audience is made for can relate considering that they may be the youngest. The illustrations in this book were great to go along with the message! Very age appropriate!

[Katiena Frazier · Rating 4 out of 5]

This realistic fiction story, with its bright watercolor illustrations, is told by a little girl who happens to be the youngest of three. She talks about all the things that she and her older sisters do together. They jump rope, ride in taxis with their family, go shopping with their parents and walk to school together. She talks about how they look alike, almost like triplets and walk in line like stair steps. She goes on to say that her sisters sometimes don't want her around so she feels alone. Then her parents comfort her and let her know that sometimes Mama and Daddy want her to keep them company. She ends up in a different kind of three, and that is okay too. Angela Johnson brings an interesting story that is told from the mindset of the youngest child, who often feels left out. It is a good book to read to any sibling who feels left out. The story is easy to understand and the language is simple enough for most children to comprehend if it is being read to them. The illustrations definitely add to the story and hold interest. The many characters the girls meet throughout the story represent various cultural groups and their lifestyles are genuine and easy to relate to.

[Alexa Maring · Rating 4 out of 5]

"One of Three" is told from the perspective of the youngest girl of three. She expresses her views on how they hang out together and she is not one alone. She shares the positive and the negative when her sisters leave and she cannot follow them. The youngest sister, though upset that she is not with her sisters, is still one of three because of her parents hanging out with her. This book is great for talking about perspective and relating to characters. I myself am the oldest child. I was "one of three" for a few years before my brother was born, but I do not remember my emotions. My sister is the youngest of three siblings and this book helps me see things her way, rather than from my viewpoint. Being told from the youngest sister's perspective, those who are the youngest can relate to the character and those who are not the youngest have a character from the book they can see a new perspective from. This can form a great group discussion and has potential for a wonderful writing topic.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm glad Courtney mentioned this in class; I found it after she talked about it and loved it! Like Courtney, I am the oldest of three and this book really gives you the perspective of what it is like to be the youngest with two big sisters, who the character really wants to be with and looks up to. I had to imagine what it's like to be the youngest and the hardships a young sister can have, and it made me think about trying to be that positive image that I want my sisters to be able to relate to. This is great to read with students about families and siblings.

[Caitlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This picture book shows three sisters that get along and do basically everything together. Sometimes, the two older sisters do not let the youngest sister go with them. She stays behind with her mom and dad, but that is fine with her too. I would use this book for a read aloud for a group of emergent readers. The pictures within the book show the meaning that the author is portraying through written words.

[Kelly Powell · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has very interesting artwork of the people drawn throughout the book. The story is about the youngest sister of the three children and this storyline relate to many children. The importance of family is discusses as well as her negative feelings of when her sisters leave and she can't go with them. Even though I had two older brothers I was still able to relate to the story. This is a good book to have in your library to add another culture on your bookshelves.

[Katt Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book for all three of my daughters to read, especially the youngest. Typically she is very 'one of three' as they go everywhere together and do everything together - for the most part. But it gets hard when sometimes the older girls want to do something without her. Hoping this book helps her to see that there's a different kind of 'one of three' that she can be in those moments, that might be just as nice.

[Kia M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very sweet book about three sisters, and how the youngest sometimes feels left out when her older siblings leave. This book can be incorporated into a small writing lesson, and you could ask your students how they might feel in this situation, or what they could do to help the little girl feel better.

[Angela Moorer]

I am one of three and also the youngest so I am able to directly relate to the narrator of this story. I would definitely have this book available as a writer's workshop pick in the younger grades. In my experiences, students excel when writing about stories that correlate to their lives. This would be a great one to get students writing and putting their ideas on paper.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book would be helpful in younger siblings that sometimes they can't follow their younger siblings everywhere . However, they aren't alone and have their parents and they can do stuff with them. This book would be also good in finding out about students family. This book is also good for repetition.

[Daisy Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

i think this is a great story about family. more importantly it shows not the stereotypical "broken African American" home, but a strong father and mother figure. i thing these images are important for everyone to see in order to break down specific stereotypes. i recommend this book for 2nd and 3rd grade classrooms.

[Michelle King · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of Three is a great family book. This story is told from the younger sibling perspective. I am also the oldest of 4 and I can easily relate. This is a good text to connect to self and your students will all be able to relate somehow.

[Courtney Sharpton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book because it let me see sisterhood from another point of view. I am the oldest sister and have never thought of what it would be like to be the youngest. I really like hoe Johnson uses fragment sentences in this story to get her point across.

[Sarah Kasper · Rating 3 out of 5]

"One of Three" is a cute story about family. This book would be a good book to have in your classroom library because students can read it and relate to it. Also, it brings the subject of diversity into the classroom because it highlights a family that is African American.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book to read to your students. From being in the classroom, I have learned how much children love to talk about their siblings. This book allows the students to make connections to their families and can lead to discussions or writing assignments about their lives.

[Jennifer Borduin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice book about the youngest girl in the family and urban life. Children can see what daily urban life is like. The storyline of how he youngest can't always do what he eldest kids do, which is okay.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a young girl and her two older sisters. She mentions many fun times with her sisters and times when she is left out. Many kids will be able to relate to and enjoy this story.

[Ashlee Gibson]

This book is a great book to read to siblings. It tells how each sibling could feel when they are left out of certain activities.

[Amy Olson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written from the youngest of three siblings perspective she tells about her feelings. Students can make text to self connections if they have ever felt left out from a group!

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

This resonated with me, as I was the youngest of three too, and liked tagging along with my older siblings; but was left out and had to make do with parents also.

[Jasmine Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

We love books about African Americans SHINING in a GOOD LIGHT! Jasmine said, "Which one is me?" LOL! I loveeeeeeee it! Yes, Lord! :)

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple but fun. I adore the illustrations, they truly elevate Johnson's thin prose.

[GenaSue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I identified with this as One of Three, myself. Using with students about being the youngest, being left alone by the older siblings- shows how it can be okay.

[Angelina · Rating 4 out of 5]

a sweet story about a girl's place with her older sisters, and eventually within her family. beautifully illustrated.