Product Details
Piper Reed: Navy Brat

Piper Reed: Navy Brat
By Kimberly Willis Holt

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Product Description

It’s not easy being the middle child, especially when your dad is a Navy Chief. Meet Piper Reed, a spunky nine-year-old who has moved more times than she can count on one hand. From Texas to Guam, wherever Piper goes, adventure follows, inspired by her active imagination, free-wheeling spirit, and a bit of sister magic. Unlike her older sister, Tori, Piper loves being part of a Navy family, and unlike her little sister, Sam, Piper is no prodigy genius. Piper is Piper—fearless and full of life.

Product Details

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #39988 in Books
  • Published on: 2008-07-22
  • Released on: 2008-07-22
  • Original language: English
  • Number of items: 1
  • Binding: Paperback
  • 176 pages

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist
In her first chapter book for younger readers, which is apparently the first in a series, award-winning author Holt tells a lively family story that draws on her experiences of growing up a Navy brat. For nine-year-old Piper, it is sometimes hard being the middle kid, especially now that the family is once again going to a new base. When they get to Pensecola, Florida, the first day of school is "not everyone's, just ours." It doesn't help that Piper is dyslexic. But she copes in class, and she creates a club to make friends. The family stuff is the heart of the story, not only the constant moves and Dad's being away on duty six months at a time but also the tension, laughter, and love in Piper's relationships with her bossy older sister and her talented younger one. Davenier's occasional black-and-white pictures capture the daily family dramas. Readers will look forward to the next book. Rochman, Hazel

Review

“Filled with warm, realistic family situations mixed with humor, this chapter book deserves a special flyover by the Blue Angels.”—The Horn Book Magazine
 
“This entertaining read will appeal to fans of Judy Moody and Ramona Quimby.”—School Library Journal
 
“...award-winning author Holt tells a lively family story that draws on her experiences of growing up a Navy brat.”—Booklist
 
“Crisp writing from a National Book Award winner...”—Publishers Weekly
 
“Piper’s lively imagination, wholesomeness and moments of ‘sister magic’ are likable and believable. This easy chapter book, based on Holt’s own experiences, is spot on with the details of roving family life. Davenier’s fluid black-and-white drawings fit the mood and characters . . . Launching a new series, Piper’s foray sets sail with verve, fun and spunk.”—Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

Kimberly Willis Holt is the author of the novels My Louisiana Sky, When Zachary Beaver Came to Town—winner of the National Book Award, Keeper of the Night, and Part of Me, as well as the picture books Waiting for Gregory and Skinny Brown Dog. She lives in Amarillo, Texas. Visit her website at www.kimberlywillisholt.com.

Christine Davenier has illustrated many books for children and is the recipient of a New York Times Best Illustrated Book Award for The First Thing My Mama Told Me by Susan Marie Swanson. She lives in Paris, France.

Customer Reviews

Great for kids5
My daughter absolutely loved this book! She could relate to Piper so well, she is 8, Piper is 9, her daddy is a chief, so is Piper's, and Piper is moving to Pensacola or Pepsi-Cola, we live in Pensacola. This was the first book that my daughter actually sat down and read all the way through in a matter of a few days; she didn't want to go out and play, play vidoe games, or watch T.V., she just wanted to read about Piper. I highly recomend this book to/for all "Navy Brats!"

Pipe Up For The Military4
Piper Reed is a Navy Brat whose father is an enlisted Chief. His latest assignment will move the family to Pensacola, home of the Blue Angels. Once again, Piper packs up her world and adjusts to a new home. With each move, there are always losses, but new opportunities and maybe even a new vision.

A military kid can certainly relate to the young characters and the constant angst created by each move and deployment. It gave a familiar feel as Piper and her family get to know the new base and life on it. Holt does an excellent job in showing the family unity, despite typical sibling rifts, that a military family must maintain to be successful. As in real life, the Blue Angels certainly always accomplish their public relations impact. The respect and appreciation by the public, however, for the average military family is not the same as the Blue Angels teams enjoy. I think the author tries to infer this difference in the comment about enlisted vs. officer housing. (My son is a young submarine officer from the Naval Academy.) I'd love to hope a little book like this could develop a sense of appreciation for all military families - their sacrificial living, the constant absences and impact on the children.

A Sensational Soaring Story!5
I just finished reading this book to my 2nd grade students. They absolutely loved the book. We also did a quick extension and looked up the "Blue Angels" on line. It was fascinating and exciting to visit the"Blue Angels" website. The students really liked hearing and seeing the jets perform on line. As a teacher, I loved the descriptive writing style. "The stars became glitter sprinkled across black velvet." We highly recommend this book!