Shermy and Shake, the Not So Nice Neighbor

by Kirby Larson, Shinji Fujioka (Illustrator)

Overview

Will summer break be a drag or a blast for meticulous Shermy when rambunctious Shake moves in next door? From Newbery Honor recipient Kirby Larson comes a bighearted chapter book about two boys’ friendship.

When a new kid comes to stay with his grandmother at the house next door, Shermy’s plans for a quiet, relaxing summer are completely upended. That’s because Shake is nothing like Shermy. And Shermy is nothing like Shake. Shermy likes to read quietly in the shade of a tree. He knows the proper way to do a puzzle. He collects treasures in the pouch he wears around his neck, and the books on his shelves are alphabetized by author. Shake likes to play street hockey or space explorers. He gobbles up rocket ice pops and Toaster Tarts. He shows up unannounced and plays board games by his own rules. As the two boys are forced to spend more and more time together, will they learn how to get along? Or will it be one long countdown until Shake goes home? Newbery Honor recipient Kirby Larson teams up with debut illustrator Shinji Fujioka to create a humorous and heartfelt ode to summer—and to unexpected friendships.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781536219425
Publisher:	Candlewick Press
Publication date:	05/09/2023
Series:	Shermy and Shake , #1
Pages:	96
Sales rank:	352,106
Product dimensions:	5.88(w) x 8.06(h) x 0.48(d)
Age Range:	6 - 9 Years

About the Author

Kirby Larson is the author of numerous books for children, including the Newbery Honor–winning historical novel Hattie Big Sky, and is the coauthor of the New York Times best-selling nonfiction picture book Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine & a Miracle. She lives with her husband in Kenmore, Washington.

Shinji Fujioka was born and raised in Hawaii, where he ignored sun, sand, and surf in favor of reading, playing video games, and drawing lots of ninjas, superheroes, and all manner of weaponry. Shermy and Shake, the Not-So-Nice Neighbor is his first book. He lives in Utah with his family.

Editorial Reviews

03/06/2023

An improbable friendship develops over summer vacation in this understated slice-of-life story from Larson (the Audacity Jones books). The beginnings of Shermy’s school break are unassuming, involving bickering with his older sister, fielding gentle reprimands about not wearing his glasses, and dutifully completing chores. Things take a sudden turn, however, when Shermy meets the neighbor’s visiting grandson, Shake, who in short order claims to be from both Jupiter and Walla Walla, then gobbles the last Toaster Tart in Shermy’s kitchen. Shermy, who enjoys orderly pursuits including puzzles and reading slowly (to “taste every word”), finds much irritating about energetic Shake, who loses a favorite Frisbee, enters Shermy’s room without knocking, and spoils the plot of a half-finished book. But an organic companionship nevertheless slowly builds between them, taking root across brief episodes that give tender credence to Shermy’s frustration and Shake’s desire to connect. Shake helps manage Shermy’s disappointment when a Fourth of July celebration falls flat, and Shermy starts to appreciate Shake as a lonely child parted from his honeymooning mother. Earnestly told, low-conflict vignettes affirm the compassion and understanding that friendship can require to bloom. Occasional b&w illustrations from debut illustrator Fujioka show the protagonists with pale skin. Ages 6–9. Author’s agent: Jill Grinberg, Jill Grinberg Literary Management. Illustrator’s agent: Lori Kilkelly, LK Literary. (May)

Publishers Weekly

Shake tries Shermy’s patience repeatedly throughout the summer, but he can also be lively, fun, and even emotionally honest with a friend he trusts. Readers can decide for themselves whether Shermy will miss Shake when he goes home. Children new to chapter books will appreciate the book’s wide-spaced lines and its many attractive black-and-white illustrations. . . .[Larson] builds a strong foundation for the Shermy and Shake series in this appealing early chapter book.
—Booklist

An improbable friendship develops over summer vacation in this understated slice-of-life story from Larson. . . Earnestly told, low-conflict vignettes affirm the compassion and understanding that friendship can require to bloom.
—Publishers Weekly

Divided into three sections, each titled by month, this fast-moving tale features short chapters and black-and-white illustrations throughout. Those looking to transition into longer chapter books will find this one accessible, and the storyline will resonate—readers will be eager to read more in this series.
—Kirkus Reviews

When Shake comes to stay with his grandmother for the summer, it’s an earthquake in the quiet life of bookish Shermy, who likes everything just so. . . but somehow, as the days tick by, the experiences add up to an opposites-attract friendship.
—The Virginian Pilot

From the Publisher

2023-03-14
A new neighbor upends Shermy’s plans for a quiet summer.

Shermy’s looking forward to an entire summer of his favorite activities—reading, doing puzzles, and collecting small treasures—but he hadn’t counted on the arrival of Shake, who’s spending the summer with his grandmother, Shermy’s next-door neighbor, while his mom and stepfather are on their honeymoon. And from the start, Shake disrupts Shermy’s routine. Shake hogs snacks, interrupts Shermy’s reading, accidentally knocks his puzzle pieces to the floor, loses Shermy’s favorite Frisbee, and nabs the last rocket pop from the ice cream truck. Shermy attempts to hide out in his room, but his mom keeps inviting Shake over to play. Almost imperceptibly, however, Shermy’s attitude begins to change. By August, Shermy even misses Shake when no one comes to interrupt his reading. So he goes looking for him and finds Shake wiping away tears, homesick for his mom. Without realizing it, the two have become fast friends. Divided into three sections, each titled by month, this fast-moving tale features short chapters and black-and-white illustrations throughout. Those looking to transition into longer chapter books will find this one accessible, and the storyline will resonate—readers will be eager to read more in this series. In the artwork, Shermy presents as Asian, while Shake reads White.

A relatable scenario sets up future books for more summer fun. (Fiction. 6-9)

Kirkus Reviews