Now that John’s best friend is sick, hanging out with his pals isn’t the same. But what can they do? A kid-friendly story of silliness, sadness, and solidarity.
John lives for that satisfying clink of dominoes as they topple in a perfectly timed rhythm of his own design. His sister thinks he’s a dork, but all he cares about is setting the world record for knocking down dominoes — that and hanging out with his best friends at school. But when his closest friend, Dom, gets sick and ends up in the hospital, John and the gang are left behind, wondering what to do for him. Author Sally Murphy shows what a group of friends, together with an unlikely ally, will do to keep the world of one of their own from toppling.
Engaging and poignant. —Kirkus Reviews
Peppered with black-and-white illustrations, this story presents an accessible look at serious illness and classroom dynamics. —School Library Journal
Readers drawn to quiet, thoughtful stories with more serious overtones may find it a quick yet affecting read. —Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Told in first-person, present-tense free verse, this book would be an excellent choice for a class read-aloud or as encouragement for individual readers who are experiencing a similar situation. —Library Media Connection
Sally Murphy, the author of Pearl Verses the World, also writes reviews for the Children’s Book Council of Australia. She lives with her family in rural Australia. Rhian Nest James has illustrated more than sixty children’s books, including the Samurai Kids series by Sandy Fussell. She lives in Sydney, Australia.
Now that John’s best friend is sick, hanging out with his pals isn’t the same. But what can they do? A kid-friendly story of silliness, sadness, and solidarity.
John lives for that satisfying clink of dominoes as they topple in a perfectly timed rhythm of his own design. His sister thinks he’s a dork, but all he cares about is setting the world record for knocking down dominoes — that and hanging out with his best friends at school. But when his closest friend, Dom, gets sick and ends up in the hospital, John and the gang are left behind, wondering what to do for him. Author Sally Murphy shows what a group of friends, together with an unlikely ally, will do to keep the world of one of their own from toppling.
Praise
Engaging and poignant. —Kirkus Reviews
Peppered with black-and-white illustrations, this story presents an accessible look at serious illness and classroom dynamics. —School Library Journal
Readers drawn to quiet, thoughtful stories with more serious overtones may find it a quick yet affecting read. —Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Told in first-person, present-tense free verse, this book would be an excellent choice for a class read-aloud or as encouragement for individual readers who are experiencing a similar situation. —Library Media Connection
Author
Sally Murphy, the author of Pearl Verses the World, also writes reviews for the Children’s Book Council of Australia. She lives with her family in rural Australia. Rhian Nest James has illustrated more than sixty children’s books, including the Samurai Kids series by Sandy Fussell. She lives in Sydney, Australia.
