School Library Journal
Gr 1–3—Andy Shane has thought up the perfect gift for Granny Webb's unbirthday—a case for her binoculars. Trouble is, his piggy bank is empty. With the help of his friend Dolores, he devises a plan to earn money by collecting the neighbors' castoffs and selling them from his grandmother's barn. Unfortunately Granny's binoculars are inadvertently sold as well. The children eventually track them down, and Andy realizes that he cannot afford both the binoculars and the case. He trades his bike so he can have both. In homage to O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi," Granny Webb trades her binoculars to buy a new bike seat and horn for Andy. The pen-and-ink drawing at the end shows readers that everything has worked out for both of them. The illustrations move the story along and provide important contextual clues. This satisfying title will appeal to early chapter-book readers.—Beth Cuddy, Seward Elementary School, Auburn, NY
School Library Journal - Audio
Gr 1–3—Andy Shane devises a plan to get his Granny Webb the perfect un-birthday gift—a case for her well-loved binoculars. However, since he doesn't have much money, he and his friend Dolores decide to gather cast-off items from around the neighborhood and hold a barn sale. When the binoculars are accidentally sold during the sale, the pair cleverly tracks them down. The clues that Andy and Dolores collect and the lists they create are read in a softer voice by narrator Rachael Lillis so that listeners become detectives right along with the children. Andy can't afford both the binoculars and the case, so he adds his trusty, but well-worn bike to the deal. The plot has a cute twist, reminiscent of O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi"—at the un-birthday party we learn that Granny has traded her binoculars for a seat and horn for Andy's bike. Lillis expressively reads Jennifer Richard Jacobson's story (Candlewick, 2009), giving a unique and appropriate voice to each character. Sound effects such as the voices of buyers at the barn sale, a dog barking, and wrapping paper crinkling give the feel of a radio play. Page-turn signals are optional. Another fun early-chapter book in the series that can be enjoyed by emergent readers who are ready for a longer book with a more complex plot.—MaryAnn Karre, Horace Mann Elementary School, Binghamton, NY
OCTOBER 2011 - AudioFile
[Editor's Note: The following is a combined review of ANDY SHANE IS NOT IN LOVE and ANDY SHANE AND THE BARN SALE MYSTERY]--Rachel Lillis narrates two Andy Shane adventures with zest. Andy is a boy who makes lists when he has a problem to solve. Here he finds missing binoculars and works himself out of a pickle when his constant companion, Dolores, is bent out of shape by the arrival of a new girl in their class. Lillis gives individualization to Andy’s character and to Andy’s friends and grandmother. Andy is thoughtful, Dolores and Lark are enthusiastic, and Granny Webb is full of wisdom and humor. Lillis’s dialogue, complete with varied voices, comes across as realistic and childlike. A.R. © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine
