Review of "hokey pokey" by Jerry Spinelli

OVERVIEW:
Jack. Jubilee. Destroyer. Just a handful of the inhabitants of Hokey Pokey, a land where children reign and no adult is in sight (except the Hokey Pokey Man and his famous Hokey Pokey snow cones). But why are they there? What's inside the Forbidden Hut? And why is Jack different? Why does he keep hearing the sound of a train whistle when everyone in Hokey Pokey knows there never has been a train? As Jack, his amigos, and his arch enemies band together to learn the secret of Jack's sudden changes, they may discover something beyond their own childish existence: they might just discover the meaning of Tomorrow.

Hokey Pokey: Jerry Spinelli. PHOTO. Megan Bryant.

RATING: (5 out of 5)
Spinelli is a genius in describing a world of childhood, a world where Tomorrow is unthought of and only the present is recognized. The memorable characters and their quirky understanding of the world remind readers of their own progression from childhood into adolescence. In a world where wild herds of bikes roam the Great Plains, where a giant screen plays cartoons without stop, and where boys and girls find each other enemies simply because that's the name of the game, how can we not be reminded of that strange yet special world we all once inhabited? That world all children love, yet one day must leave behind.

TO PARENTS:
Hokey Pokey is undoubtedly a favorite of mine, and I believe Spinelli portrays coming of age in a creative and riveting fashion that leaves you hungry for more. This book is a clean and excellent read; no horror, no soppy romance, no foul language. This novel is light yet moving, Spinelli's use of description and language evoking childhood and the fun, simple days of being a kid yet the confusion and mayhem of growing up into something new. Spinelli has also written Star Girl and Love, Star Girl two other favorites of mine that I also suggest for middle and high school students.

PROJECT: Consider looking at a project this novel inspired me to create! You can also find it under Mrs. Bryant's Text Inspired Projects in the upper left column of the blog.