Jasper John Dooley: Not in Love

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

This is the third installment in Caroline Adderson's well-reviewed, illustrated chapter book series about the adventures of the enthusiastic and extremely likable -- and poetically named -- Jasper John Dooley. Here, poor Jasper struggles to deal with the excessive attentions of his classmate Isabel, who just won't leave him alone. In the schoolyard, she badgers him and his friends Ori and Leon to play babies. In the classroom, she forces him to be her reading buddy. And, worst of all, after school, she invites him over for a playdate! When Jasper complains to his parents that he's too sick to go to her house, his dad says he must have a case of "girl-itis." However, once he arrives, Jasper is thrilled to discover Isabel has a trampoline, where he gets a "flip-floppy feeling" that is better than anything else in the world. Can Jasper find a way to keep using her trampoline and get her to stop being in love with him? This truly relatable story handles with deftness and humor the concerns and confusion elementary school children face as they try to navigate their everyday social world, particularly the issues surrounding the emerging differences between boys and girls of this age and where the lines are beginning to get drawn for their interactions with each other. It is sure to keep early readers engaged. Featuring a boy's point of view broadens the appeal. Line illustrations by Ben Clanton add depth and wit to the charming story. AGES 7 - 10 AUTHOR: Caroline first began writing for adults. When her son was five, she wrote some simple stories based on the adventures they shared. Eventually these stories became her first children's book -- and she hasn't stopped yet. ALL JASPER JOHN TITLES 9781554535781 Jasper John Dooley: Star of the Week HB 9781771381192 Jasper John Dooley: Star of the Week PB 9781554538034 Jasper John Dooley: NOT in Love HB

Reviews provided by Syndetics

School Library Journal Review

Gr 1-3-All Jasper wants to do is play knights and dragons, but his friend Isabel insists on playing babies and planning their wedding. Yuck! At least she has a cool trampoline in her backyard. Like the previous two installments, this third book features short chapters, ample white space, and periodic black-and-white illustrations. (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Horn Book Review

This third Jasper John Dooley book explores boy-girl friendships. Jasper is not too keen on his playdate with Isabel, but it turns out she has an awesome trampoline. She also, however, has a crush on Jasper and stages a pretend wedding for them. Adderson handles the premise with just the right softness for young readers, and Clanton's pleasing black-and-white illustrations capture the pair's sticky dynamic. (c) Copyright 2014. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Kirkus Book Review

The trouble with girls is that they are prone to falling in loveand then they want to get married. That can be a real issue if you are an early grade schooler like Jasper John Dooley, and an energetic, overbearing girl like Isabel decides she loves you. It makes it almost impossible to play dragon slayers during recess. The situation grows grimmer when Jasper's mom arranges a play date for him at Isabel's house. While Isabel doesn't want to sit around brushing her hair as he had expected, and her trampoline turns out to be great fun, his visitshe returns for the trampolinefurther convince her that he's in love, too. Instead, Jasper is embarrassed and frustrated. Based on a misguided story from his beloved grandmother, Jasper decides that if he dips Isabel's hair in jam (since ink is unavailable), maybe she'll lose interest. Unsurprisingly, the plan does not go well. Adderson perfectly captures the trials of early childhood, and with brief text and a simple vocabulary, she breathes full life into her cast of characters, from Paul C., new to the school and hiding behind a library book at recess, to Ori, Jasper's best friend, whose common-sense approach is hilarious, and even to Isabel, a bit wild but fully recognizable. Another chapter book that will readily brighten the day of emergent readersor adults offering an extended read-aloud. (Fiction. 5-8)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.