What do you think?
Rate this book
Everett Anderson #8
One of the Problems of Everett Anderson
A sensitive exploration of a difficult problem by an award winning author/illustrator team.
"One day in school, just out of the blue,"
Everett whispers, "Greg started to cry,
and I went over to ask him why
and he looked up and sighed,
'I can't tell you.'
And he had the saddest, saddest face
like he was lost in the loneliest place."
Everett Anderson doesn't know what to do when his friend Greg comes to school with bruises, or when Greg cries and can't explain what's wrong. Should Everett tell the teacher, or would that only make things worse for Greg? Everett's sister thinks maybe it's none of their business, but he can't stop worrying about his friend. Then, when Everett Anderson tells his mother, he opens a window of possibility.
This tender story perfectly evokes the confusion, concern--and eventual hope--one little boy feels in the face of a very difficult problem.
"One day in school, just out of the blue,"
Everett whispers, "Greg started to cry,
and I went over to ask him why
and he looked up and sighed,
'I can't tell you.'
And he had the saddest, saddest face
like he was lost in the loneliest place."
Everett Anderson doesn't know what to do when his friend Greg comes to school with bruises, or when Greg cries and can't explain what's wrong. Should Everett tell the teacher, or would that only make things worse for Greg? Everett's sister thinks maybe it's none of their business, but he can't stop worrying about his friend. Then, when Everett Anderson tells his mother, he opens a window of possibility.
This tender story perfectly evokes the confusion, concern--and eventual hope--one little boy feels in the face of a very difficult problem.
- GenresPicture BooksChildrens
32 pages, Hardcover
First published September 15, 2001
33 people want to read
About the author
Lucille Clifton
82 books433 followersLucille Clifton was an American poet, writer, and educator from New York. Common topics in her poetry include the celebration of her African American heritage, and feminist themes, with particular emphasis on the female body.
She was the first person in her family to finish high school and attend college. She started Howard University on scholarship as a drama major but lost the scholarship two years later.
Thus began her writing career.
Good Times, her first book of poems, was published in 1969. She has since been nominated twice for the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry and has been honored as Maryland's Poet Laureate.
Ms. Clifton's foray into writing for children began with Some of the Days of Everett Anderson, published in 1970.
In 1976, Generations: A Memoir was published. In 2000, she won the National Book Award for Poetry, for her work "Poems Seven".
From 1985 to 1989, Clifton was a professor of literature and creative writing at the University of California, Santa Cruz. She was Distinguished Professor of Humanities at St. Mary's College of Maryland. From 1995 to 1999, she was a visiting professor at Columbia University. In 2006, she was a fellow at Dartmouth College.
Clifton received the Robert Frost Medal for lifetime achievement posthumously, from the Poetry Society of America.
She was the first person in her family to finish high school and attend college. She started Howard University on scholarship as a drama major but lost the scholarship two years later.
Thus began her writing career.
Good Times, her first book of poems, was published in 1969. She has since been nominated twice for the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry and has been honored as Maryland's Poet Laureate.
Ms. Clifton's foray into writing for children began with Some of the Days of Everett Anderson, published in 1970.
In 1976, Generations: A Memoir was published. In 2000, she won the National Book Award for Poetry, for her work "Poems Seven".
From 1985 to 1989, Clifton was a professor of literature and creative writing at the University of California, Santa Cruz. She was Distinguished Professor of Humanities at St. Mary's College of Maryland. From 1995 to 1999, she was a visiting professor at Columbia University. In 2006, she was a fellow at Dartmouth College.
Clifton received the Robert Frost Medal for lifetime achievement posthumously, from the Poetry Society of America.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 22, 2016
* Book Summary
Everitt is a boy who shows up to school every day with bruises and scratches on his body, one of his friends in concern about him but does not want to make the situation worse for Everitt. Everitt's friend makes a decision at the end after having a difficult time deciding what to do.
Awards
None
* Grade Level/ Interest level
1st-3rd grade
* Appropriate Classroom Use
I would not use this book in the classroom because it might make some students feel uncomfortable in the class and change how they feel about the classroom environment.
*Student Who Might Benefit From Reading
Students who could be having problems outside of school and students who sometimes do not who to go to for help.
* Small Group Use
I would not use this book in a group because some students may feel uncomfortable.
* Whole Class Use
I would not use this book in the classroom because it might make some students feel uncomfortable and others might give their opinion about the situation that might hurt the other students
*Related Book In Genre
A Child Called It, They Caged the Animals at Night
*Multimedia Connections
N/A
Everitt is a boy who shows up to school every day with bruises and scratches on his body, one of his friends in concern about him but does not want to make the situation worse for Everitt. Everitt's friend makes a decision at the end after having a difficult time deciding what to do.
Awards
None
* Grade Level/ Interest level
1st-3rd grade
* Appropriate Classroom Use
I would not use this book in the classroom because it might make some students feel uncomfortable in the class and change how they feel about the classroom environment.
*Student Who Might Benefit From Reading
Students who could be having problems outside of school and students who sometimes do not who to go to for help.
* Small Group Use
I would not use this book in a group because some students may feel uncomfortable.
* Whole Class Use
I would not use this book in the classroom because it might make some students feel uncomfortable and others might give their opinion about the situation that might hurt the other students
*Related Book In Genre
A Child Called It, They Caged the Animals at Night
*Multimedia Connections
N/A
Read
February 15, 2023Begins with an opening quote I adore. Establishes strong message inititailly . I love how evert doesn’t even have to tell the teachers, he simply just comforts Greg and is the person Greg needs. I think this communcites a vaulted lesson despite small children not understanding the critical nature of abuse. But validating that people have hard lives we may not understand, but its our job as friends to be there an support people even if we don’t understand what’s happening or what do do. The thing we can always do is be a good friend. I love this simplification of child abuse and what it means so children observers as it does not belittle the struggles of the abused and observer, but heightens their roles in advocacies.
February 6, 2019
Challenges/ Issue
Age Level: 3 -5
A. This book is about child abuse. The book discusses what to do if you notice one of your friends who is continually bruised and appears to be sad a lot of the time. This book teaches children the power of their own voices. It encourages children to speak up if they know something is wrong.
B. I would defend my selection by saying that it is important for children to that if they notice something along this lines they should tell a trusted adult. I think every kid needs to know this.
C. For me this is a window book. I have never dealt hands on with abuse but it is a valuable lesson I need to know in case I come across it in my future classroom.
Age Level: 3 -5
A. This book is about child abuse. The book discusses what to do if you notice one of your friends who is continually bruised and appears to be sad a lot of the time. This book teaches children the power of their own voices. It encourages children to speak up if they know something is wrong.
B. I would defend my selection by saying that it is important for children to that if they notice something along this lines they should tell a trusted adult. I think every kid needs to know this.
C. For me this is a window book. I have never dealt hands on with abuse but it is a valuable lesson I need to know in case I come across it in my future classroom.
March 30, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. It talks about how he deals with his emotions and how difficult it is for him sometimes. I feel like no one has ever talked to him about his feelings and like I have mentioned before it has hurt some people. It talks about how he can get lonely sometimes and it sucks for him to be feeling that way because someone should be there for him or at least express to him that feeling lonely gets better.
April 29, 2016
One of the Problems of Everett Anderson is a picture book meant for older children, maybe 8-10.
Everett Anderson is a young child who notices a friend at school, Greg, with bruises on his leg. Greg says he can't tell Everett what happened, and Everett struggles with whether or not to tell someone. His sister tells him to just leave it alone. He eventually tells his mother.
I noticed a lot of negative reviews of this book on Goodreads, and I was curious why that was the case. I thought it was a very well thought-out portrayal of a young child struggling with one of many problems that any child would face. This is just "one" of them, and it's whether or not to tell someone that his friend may be involved in some physical abuse. What's interesting is that the book never says outright that Greg is being physically abused. It simply presents the situation from Everett's point of view: something dark and confusing is going on with a friend.
I think it's an excellent book in terms of the issue that it deals with. My only criticism is that it's rather dark and dreary, not just with words, but with the illustrations.
04/29/16
Everett Anderson is a young child who notices a friend at school, Greg, with bruises on his leg. Greg says he can't tell Everett what happened, and Everett struggles with whether or not to tell someone. His sister tells him to just leave it alone. He eventually tells his mother.
I noticed a lot of negative reviews of this book on Goodreads, and I was curious why that was the case. I thought it was a very well thought-out portrayal of a young child struggling with one of many problems that any child would face. This is just "one" of them, and it's whether or not to tell someone that his friend may be involved in some physical abuse. What's interesting is that the book never says outright that Greg is being physically abused. It simply presents the situation from Everett's point of view: something dark and confusing is going on with a friend.
I think it's an excellent book in terms of the issue that it deals with. My only criticism is that it's rather dark and dreary, not just with words, but with the illustrations.
04/29/16
December 3, 2008
Everett Anderson is confused and does not know what to do when is friend Greg comes to school with bruises several times on his leg. Everett thought that maybe he really does fall down the stairs but does that happen everyday? Greg started to cry at school and when Everett asked him what was wrong he couldn't tell him. Greg struggles with whether he should tell the teacher or whether that would just make things worse. Everett's sister thinks its none of Everett's business and he should just stay out of it. Everett eventually tells his mother and something will happen with Greg. Everett Anderson hopes the little things that he did will make a difference.
Activities:
1. This could be a good book to read to a student that might be being abused or if a student knows someone that is being abused. This helps children understand what the right thing to do is.
2. This story can be used to explain when a boy is going through a difficult problem and a friend is there to help. This could go along with a friendship unit in the class.
Activities:
1. This could be a good book to read to a student that might be being abused or if a student knows someone that is being abused. This helps children understand what the right thing to do is.
2. This story can be used to explain when a boy is going through a difficult problem and a friend is there to help. This could go along with a friendship unit in the class.
July 28, 2008
Everett doesn't know what to do. Everyday his new friend, Greg, shows up at school with a new bruise or some other mark. Greg seems so sad, but Everett doesn't want to make things worse for Greg, but he certainly wants to help. This picture book details Everett's struggle and the love that his home can extend to others.
I'm a little iffy on this. I was really interested in the content, but I think it could have been executed better. It is a good lesson in caring and concern for others, but the subject matter is best for school-age children.
I'm a little iffy on this. I was really interested in the content, but I think it could have been executed better. It is a good lesson in caring and concern for others, but the subject matter is best for school-age children.
January 7, 2017
Oh so sad, but with a hopeful ending. Doesn't say what Mama will do with the information, but does make it clear that children can, and should, tell a grown-up. And does make it clear what the clues are, so the young readers know what to notice about their friend. I do wonder why the teacher never noticed, though... but then, teachers, especially in urban schools, have so many students and so many responsibilities and distractions, I guess I can imagine that Greg's bruises could be overlooked.
Highly recommended to children age 5-8, and to student teachers, especially.
Highly recommended to children age 5-8, and to student teachers, especially.
November 28, 2012
This book is about Everett Anderson. His friend, Gary, keeps showing up with new scars and bruises. Everett is trying to figure out if he should tell an adult or not.
This book had a good lesson about telling adults when you know somebody keeps getting hurt. However, I think the book may be a little dark for younger children.
This book can be used to talk to students about speaking up if a friend keeps getting hurt. This would be helpful in stopping abuse.
This book had a good lesson about telling adults when you know somebody keeps getting hurt. However, I think the book may be a little dark for younger children.
This book can be used to talk to students about speaking up if a friend keeps getting hurt. This would be helpful in stopping abuse.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews