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Lunch-Box Dream
Bobby and his family are visiting Civil War battlefields on the eve of the war’s centenary, while inside their car, quiet battles rage. When an accident cuts their trip short, they return home on a bus and witness an incident that threatens to deny a black family seats. What they don’t know is the reason for the family’s desperation to be on that bus: a few towns away, their child is missing.
Lunch-Box Dream presents Jim Crow, racism, and segregation from multiple perspectives. In this story of witnessing without understanding, a naïvely prejudiced boy, in brief flashes of insight, starts to identify and question his assumptions about race.
Lunch-Box Dream presents Jim Crow, racism, and segregation from multiple perspectives. In this story of witnessing without understanding, a naïvely prejudiced boy, in brief flashes of insight, starts to identify and question his assumptions about race.
192 pages, Hardcover
First published July 19, 2011
23 people are currently reading
401 people want to read
About the author
Tony Abbott
210 books404 followersTony Abbott (born 1952) is an American author of children's books. His most popular work is the book series The Secrets of Droon, which includes over 40 books. He has sold over 12 million copies of his books and they have been translated into several other languages, including Italian, Spanish, Korean, French, Japanese, Polish, Turkish, and Russian. He has also written the bestseller Firegirl.
Abbott was born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1952. His father was a university professor and had an extensive library of books which became one of Abbott's first sources of literature. When he was eight years old, his family moved to Connecticut where he went through elementary school and high school.
Abbott attended the University of Connecticut, and after studying both music and psychology, decided to study English and graduated from the University of Connecticut with a bachelor's degree in English literature. He attended the workshops of Patricia Reilly Giff to further develop his writing after college.
Abbott currently lives in Trumbull, Connecticut, with his wife, two daughters, and two dogs. Tony had one brother and two sisters.
Abbott was born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1952. His father was a university professor and had an extensive library of books which became one of Abbott's first sources of literature. When he was eight years old, his family moved to Connecticut where he went through elementary school and high school.
Abbott attended the University of Connecticut, and after studying both music and psychology, decided to study English and graduated from the University of Connecticut with a bachelor's degree in English literature. He attended the workshops of Patricia Reilly Giff to further develop his writing after college.
Abbott currently lives in Trumbull, Connecticut, with his wife, two daughters, and two dogs. Tony had one brother and two sisters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
October 8, 2011
I don't know what this book is supposed to be, or when I've read a children's book that seems so wildly unappealing to children. Almost all the characters are thoroughly unpleasant, the protagonist is weirdly obsessed with black people in a way that seems unrealistic (his very first reaction to the idea of a bus trip is ugh because they'll have to ride with black--pardon, "chocolate" people?), false drama is created, and there's a vaguely creepy ultimate scene where the child protagonist deigns to touch a black woman. This all reads like a self-indulgent creative writing exercise, not a novel for children.
April 3, 2016
I'm trying to figure out why this book gets such bad reviews. I actually really enjoyed it.
I liked the dichotomy of the families. White, middle-class, miserable, and unloving, vs. black, poor, and close knit family.
To see the Jim Crow laws of the 1950's through the eyes of a child is rather unlike anything you'll ever understand or know.
I liked the dichotomy of the families. White, middle-class, miserable, and unloving, vs. black, poor, and close knit family.
To see the Jim Crow laws of the 1950's through the eyes of a child is rather unlike anything you'll ever understand or know.
November 28, 2017
This book is a good choice for people who like history and realism, as it treats the racism of the 50’s in a real way, giving those who like history a great option to read.
Bobby and his family are heading for a family trip in which the arrival does not matter much since Bobby only wants to go to the Battlefields that are on the way, Jacob is spending the summer with his uncle and his aunt.
In this book you can find many pros as the fact that they treat racism in a real way, since you can see how at that time parents raised their children to be racist, Another point in favor for the book is that it handles the two stories in a way that when they intertwine does not feel forced. But we can not forget the bad points of the story, one of them would be the secondary characters, I feel that they were so focused on forming their main characters that they almost forgot their secondary characters, for example we have the character of the grandmother that nobody It explains nothing about it and does not give us a reason why it is there, another bad thing about this story is that loses the rhythm of the story and becomes boring to the point that you think you're going to sleep, but if you keep reading it, you'll resume the good rhythm that the story have before.
In conclusion if you are looking for a book that reflects the life of white people and people of color at that time is a good book, which you can read quickly.
Bobby and his family are heading for a family trip in which the arrival does not matter much since Bobby only wants to go to the Battlefields that are on the way, Jacob is spending the summer with his uncle and his aunt.
In this book you can find many pros as the fact that they treat racism in a real way, since you can see how at that time parents raised their children to be racist, Another point in favor for the book is that it handles the two stories in a way that when they intertwine does not feel forced. But we can not forget the bad points of the story, one of them would be the secondary characters, I feel that they were so focused on forming their main characters that they almost forgot their secondary characters, for example we have the character of the grandmother that nobody It explains nothing about it and does not give us a reason why it is there, another bad thing about this story is that loses the rhythm of the story and becomes boring to the point that you think you're going to sleep, but if you keep reading it, you'll resume the good rhythm that the story have before.
In conclusion if you are looking for a book that reflects the life of white people and people of color at that time is a good book, which you can read quickly.
February 27, 2012
Bobby and his family take a trip south to see the Civil War battlefields. Jacob is spending the summer with his aunt and uncle. This book is told from various narrators perspectives and it makes for a very disjointed telling. It is supposed to highlight Jim Crow laws in the South during the 1950s and it does a bit, but it isn't a very effective story. Bobby is obsessed with death and "chocolate" people. His mom actually wrecks her car to get away from a couple of African Americans (who aren't doing anything to harm her). It does highlight the irrational fear whites had for blacks at that time. Jacob and his family are black and their story is told from many members of their family's perspective. It is a very disjointed telling of their experiences living under Jim Crow and being treated as second class. Bobby and Jacob's stories finally come together at the very end, but it is kind of forced and really doesn't mesh; overall it is pretty poorly done. This book is supposed to be a testament on civil rights but it really doesn't work. There are many other books out that do a really good job portraying live during the 1950s and 1960s...this isn't one of them.
September 23, 2011
This didn't work. The novel takes place in 1959 and was written to demonstrate Jim Crow laws in the South. Mr. Abbott splits his tale into several narrators (members of a white family and a black family)and how their lives intertwine. I found it all quite messy to follow. Each family and their story is compelling and would most likely make a good novel on their own but putting them together gave me a migrane. I'm afraid there are so many distractions with the various plots, that young readers will just be confused.
November 17, 2011
About ten characters in two different families are telling their stories during a summer in 1959. The stories briefly, nearly touch for about two pages. I do not know why this book was written or who would like it.
1.5 stars? I don't want to just give it one, I reserve that for books that I actively dislike.
1.5 stars? I don't want to just give it one, I reserve that for books that I actively dislike.
March 10, 2012
I was expecting much more from this book, and it disappointed terribly. I thought there'd be more learning by the young boys from Ohio. I thought there'd be more interaction between the two groups of people. The interaction consisted of alternating chapters. I guess I either didn't get what the author was trying to do, or I couldn't get past what I expected of the book.
October 10, 2019
I have no idea who this book is for, but it sure isn’t for kids. I’m all for talking to our kids about heavy issues that this book tries to address, racism in particular, but it doesn’t seem to have a clue what it’s trying to say.
August 23, 2019
Overall this is a pretty good book but there are a few things I don't think make that much sense.
1. From the summery of the book I thought the two boys would be more connected.
2. Why does Bobby have half the book in his perspective but Jacob only have two chapters to himself.
3. Why does it never say what exactly hapend to Jacob.
So overall it's an okay book but a little bit confusing.
1. From the summery of the book I thought the two boys would be more connected.
2. Why does Bobby have half the book in his perspective but Jacob only have two chapters to himself.
3. Why does it never say what exactly hapend to Jacob.
So overall it's an okay book but a little bit confusing.
March 7, 2018
A quick and easy read, the stories of two young boys, one black, one white--pre-Civil Rights movement--braided together as they each travel with family or from family. This wonderful book by YA author Tony Abbott addresses race relations, family structure, compassion and fear. Highly recommend.
October 1, 2011
While the mix of stories did not work all that well, I still gave the book five stars for the depth of the plot. This was 1960, and many white families truly did not understand anyone outside their race. They didn't mean anything by it; they weren't made to understand, they weren't exposed to anyone outside their race, and they weren't corrected much when they called anyone with darker skin "chocolates." I have a problem with reviewers who pan a book and then say it was set in 1952! Get your facts straight if you are going to pan a book. There is a big difference in a few years in this time period. The power of Abbott's story lies in the poignance of the travel and how the families were able to accomplish it. However, that being said, I don't know if there is an audience for the book without a lot of talk from librarians and teachers. But that's our job!!! GET OUT THERE AND TALK IT! I'm a white, 64-year-old Southerner who lived through this time, and this story needs to be told and told and told, in many ways. I loved this book, flaws and all, and flaws there are.
April 8, 2012
Lunch-Box Dream is such a touching book. It is about 2 stories of 2 diffenrent races, one white and one black. In the (white) family we have a Grandma, Mom, Brother named Ricky and another brother named Bobby. It takes place in Cleveland, Ohio. Bobby has had a hard time trying to live on though life without his Grandpa, he is scard for life of his 1st death from his Grandpa. So almost in each chapter he is haunted by death and he has to go though some really bad times.
In the (black) family there is a mom, dad, 2 wives, 2 husbands, Cora age 15, and Jacob age 9. When Jacob goes and tries to spend the summer with his Aunt and Uncle he gets lost in his trip and his family does everything to try to get him back with every ounce of love they have for him.
In the (black) family there is a mom, dad, 2 wives, 2 husbands, Cora age 15, and Jacob age 9. When Jacob goes and tries to spend the summer with his Aunt and Uncle he gets lost in his trip and his family does everything to try to get him back with every ounce of love they have for him.
October 8, 2017
I had high hopes for this book. A family from Cleveland, OH taking a road-trip South, visiting Civil War Battlefields along the way. An extended family in the South, dealing with the vile Jim Crow laws and suffering various indignities that existed during 1959.
What is bothering me is a seemingly lack of character development and I think I needed more back story. Most of the characters, in their description and actions, are unlikeable. Bobby shows a bit of humanity in the end, but I certainly expected more strength of character in dealing with the various situations they are thrust into. I thought the fear and angst displayed by Bobby's family was overwrought. I completely understood the attitudes and reactions of Jacob's family as a result of the region and the time in which they lived.
This book provides a realistic look into the indignities suffered by far too many of our fellow citizens during this period of our collective history. That is why I gave it three stars. Bobby's family is definitely in crisis and they lack the communication skills and loving relationship to make them sympathetic. This book seems like it was written for Grades 4 through 8; I don't believe it is appropriate for the younger range. It raises more questions and concerns than it resolves.
What is bothering me is a seemingly lack of character development and I think I needed more back story. Most of the characters, in their description and actions, are unlikeable. Bobby shows a bit of humanity in the end, but I certainly expected more strength of character in dealing with the various situations they are thrust into. I thought the fear and angst displayed by Bobby's family was overwrought. I completely understood the attitudes and reactions of Jacob's family as a result of the region and the time in which they lived.
This book provides a realistic look into the indignities suffered by far too many of our fellow citizens during this period of our collective history. That is why I gave it three stars. Bobby's family is definitely in crisis and they lack the communication skills and loving relationship to make them sympathetic. This book seems like it was written for Grades 4 through 8; I don't believe it is appropriate for the younger range. It raises more questions and concerns than it resolves.
April 3, 2019
Choice book #4 Quarter 3
Lunch-Box Dream written by Tony Abbott is a historical fiction book that takes place mainly Cleveland and Atlanta.
In this book, a family struggles with many problems as they drive to Florida to take their grandma back to her house. There are also problems due to segregation.
The main characters in this book are Bobby, Ricky, Bobby's mom, Hershel (Bobby's father), and their Ricky and Bobby's grandma.
Bobby is a kid who likes to do things the way he wants them to be. Ricky is Bobby's older brother who is into civil war types of things. Bobby's mom, Lousia worries a lot about her little brother and kids and is very overprotective.
Lunch-Box Dream written by Tony Abbott is a historical fiction book that takes place mainly Cleveland and Atlanta.
In this book, a family struggles with many problems as they drive to Florida to take their grandma back to her house. There are also problems due to segregation.
The main characters in this book are Bobby, Ricky, Bobby's mom, Hershel (Bobby's father), and their Ricky and Bobby's grandma.
Bobby is a kid who likes to do things the way he wants them to be. Ricky is Bobby's older brother who is into civil war types of things. Bobby's mom, Lousia worries a lot about her little brother and kids and is very overprotective.
December 24, 2016
This book is a worthy, affecting story - placed during the Civil Rights era. It is challenging to follow as the chapters keep switching among persons' points of view to tell parallel but separate stories. The narratives only intersect at the very end. A couple of taunting boy-talk brother dialogs would cause me to recommend this book to age 11-12 who are willing to read the notes at the end before the story, and then work to put together the threads of families based on the list in the front of the book.
March 2, 2018
I'm sorry, but this book just didn't do it for me.
It is very disjointed, with too much of a set up, and zero climax.
The white family is hard to care about. And while you want to care about the African american family, the book doesn't allow you to get to know them. I'm a little confused as to why even do the multiple viewpoints. With 80% from Bobby's perspective, the other 20% was jarring and unfocused.
It is very disjointed, with too much of a set up, and zero climax.
The white family is hard to care about. And while you want to care about the African american family, the book doesn't allow you to get to know them. I'm a little confused as to why even do the multiple viewpoints. With 80% from Bobby's perspective, the other 20% was jarring and unfocused.
August 16, 2021
This book was a little hard to follow and I didn't really know where the author was trying to go with the two stories. Actually I still don't and I finished the book. Instead of one good book that meshed together, there were two half stories that left you with more questions than answers. Nothing ever got resolved. 🤷 It did show some good points of view of life during Jim Crow and the harmful affects of racism though.
January 17, 2023
This book was based around the time Jim Crow laws were highly enforced in the South. It was a retelling of an event the author experienced as a child. It was very hard to follow at points and jumped around between situations. The last 20-30 pages you see how all of the characters interact to end on a high point that should have been done in the middle of the book with more to back it up. I still have many questions about the one character!!
February 18, 2024
On a road trip from Ohio to Florida, Bobby, Ricky and their mom are taking Grandma back home. It's the 1950s and racial tension has a different face in the South as the boys encounter Jim Crow laws while meeting a Black family on the trip.
Hints at the Emmett Till horrific tragedy will have savvy readers wanting to learn more about this ugly time in America. The underlying theme makes for a worthwhile story but the way in which it got there was odd at times.
2 1/2 to 3 stars.
Hints at the Emmett Till horrific tragedy will have savvy readers wanting to learn more about this ugly time in America. The underlying theme makes for a worthwhile story but the way in which it got there was odd at times.
2 1/2 to 3 stars.
November 17, 2017
This book takes place in the Civil Rights era. It starts with a boy named Bobby and has other characters tell stories from their perspective shortly after. This book was kind of confusing to me and I honestly would not recommend it. I wish it had focused on Bobby's character development instead of focusing on the secondary characters.
August 16, 2018
A mother and her 2 boys take a battlefield tour and for the first time learn of racism, separatism. and injustice. Her son, a young teen is physically ill because of this abuse in the South.
I remember my uncle John telling about his visit to the South and having black men walk in the street instead of passing him on the sidewalk. Most people are not prejudice.
I remember my uncle John telling about his visit to the South and having black men walk in the street instead of passing him on the sidewalk. Most people are not prejudice.
November 27, 2018
Took me a little while to get into - I don't particularly like books from the perspective of children, but the changing perspectives helped along the way.
It got very interesting at the end, and very heart-wrenching.
I wasn't expecting much as the rating on Goodreads isn't that high, but I was pleasantly surprised.
It got very interesting at the end, and very heart-wrenching.
I wasn't expecting much as the rating on Goodreads isn't that high, but I was pleasantly surprised.
April 26, 2019
Not a middle grade novel
The language was too flowery and details too sketchy for this to be a worthwhile middle grade novel. It was neither a novel about civil war sites nor Jim Crow.
The language was too flowery and details too sketchy for this to be a worthwhile middle grade novel. It was neither a novel about civil war sites nor Jim Crow.
May 9, 2017
It was a easy read but I honestly don't really get the story of the book. There was no point to it. The white family didn't have anything to do with the story at all
November 27, 2017
I usually like multi-voice stories, but this one was really confusing to me. I felt that the book didn't reach it's potential. I was really disappointed.
August 18, 2018
The book was alright. Although I got confused on some parts of it.
January 5, 2019
Pretty depressing and we didn’t feel like it was a great book for kids.
February 5, 2019
This book reads like a short story. It feels unfinished.
February 7, 2019
I have really no idea what this book was about. The author tries to take a couple of different families and entwine their stories at the end but it just doesn't work well.
March 30, 2019
If I could put 0 stars, I would.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews