Summer Jackson: Grown Up

by Teresa Harris, AG Ford (Illustrator)

Overview

Meet Summer Jackson, a smart, irresistible character who will appeal to to any kid who has ever wanted to skip straight to adulthood because it seems like SO much more fun.

Summer is fairly certain she's ready to be a grown-up—right now. She wants to wear a blazer, read the morning paper, and boss around a few second graders. Grown-ups have it so easy! But wait, do grown-ups play on swings?

Teresa E. Harris and AG Ford's hilarious #ownvoices story shows that being a kid might not be so bad after all. Perfect for fans of Fancy Nancy, Olivia, Eloise, and the Fresh Princess.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780061857577
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	05/17/2011
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	8.60(w) x 11.10(h) x 0.30(d)
Lexile:	AD520L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 7 Years

About the Author

Teresa E. Harris earned her bachelor's degree in English from Columbia University and an MFA in Writing for Children from Vermont College, where she won numerous awards, including the Flying Pig Grade-A, Number-One Ham Award for Humor. Now that she is a grown-up, she would very much like to be a child again.

AG Ford is the illustrator of the New York Times bestselling Barack by Jonah Winter and also of Michelle and First Family by Deborah Hopkinson. He is the recipient of an NAACP Image Award.

Editorial Reviews

In Harris's first picture book, a cheery take on a familiar premise, Summer announces that she's tired of being seven: "Two scoops of ice cream are not enough. Hand puppets are not that funny. And eight o'clock is way too early for bed." Opting to become a grown-up, she sports a new look: high heels, blazer, sunglasses, and briefcase. Her daily routine now includes reading the newspaper and eating her sandwich with a knife and fork. Ford's (First Family) illustrations portray Summer's transformation with verve and humor, easily conveying Summer's determination and confidence. It seems as though the jig might be up when she charges schoolmates money for her "consulting" services and the principal calls her parents, but they slyly give her permission to be "as grown up as you like." Summer soon discovers the downside of adulthood when she must clean up after dinner, overindulges in ice cream, and finds her parents in her bed ("We got scared of the dark"). Though her return to childhood is predictable, Summer exits on one last sassy note. Ages 4–7. (June)

Publishers Weekly

With a little bit of sparkle and a whole lot of sass, Summer will be right at home with any young girl eager to enter the work world.” — Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

K-Gr 3—Summer Jackson's parents have always told her that she can be anything she wants when she grows up. The problem is, the seven-year-old does not want to have to wait until then. "From now on, I will wear very high heels with very pointy toes. And maybe a blazer. I'll get a cell phone. It will ring all the time." Summer imagines all of the important things she will begin doing, such as making a to-do list, reading the newspaper over breakfast, and becoming a consultant. But when she meets with several of her clients (fellow schoolmates), and begins to charge them for her services, she runs into a bit of trouble with Principal Cutter, who calls her parents. When they talk things over, her parents agree to let Summer take over the adult responsibilities, which frees them to have some fun. All too soon, the child realizes that being a grown-up is not all its cracked up to be. Ford's charming and humorous cartoon illustrations are liberally sprinkled throughout the book, ranging from three pictures on a page to full-page images. Although predictable, this story should have wide appeal.—Mary N. Oluonye, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH

School Library Journal