Amber Brown Is Not a Crayon (Amber Brown Graphic Novel)
by Paula Danziger (Author) Victoria Ying (Illustrator)
A heartwarming re-introduction to Paula Danziger’s beloved character Amber Brown, in a fresh new graphic novel format.
Third graders Amber Brown and Justin Daniels have been best friends since the day they first met in preschool. How great of a team are they? Amber helps Justin with spelling, and Justin helps Amber with her fractions. They have tons of inside jokes and hang out together after school every day—that’s just how it’s always been.
But when Justin finds out his family is moving away, everything starts to feel different. Amber gets sad whenever she thinks about Justin leaving, and Justin seems overwhelmed by all the changes to come. Can the two besties figure out a way to say goodbye that will keep their friendship strong, no matter how far apart they are?
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School Library Journal
Gr 1-3--Another of the classics-turned-graphic novels, this adaptation of Amber Brown Is NOT a Crayon is a charming reimagining of Paula Danziger's original. Amber Brown is a third grader with olive skin and messy, brown pigtails. Despite her parents' recent divorce and her dad relocating outside of the country, she is doing well, especially since she has her best friend Justin (who is blond, with white skin) by her side. They make a good team, helping each other with math and reading, and having fun with their teacher, Mr. Cohen (who has brown skin) and his imaginative travel lessons. Unfortunately, things can't always stay the same--Justin's dad got a great new job in Alabama, far away from New Jersey, and they'll be moving soon. Amber is devastated, but why doesn't Justin care? Ying's warm, expressive illustrations do a great job of imbuing the characters with emotion, and Amber's iconic pigtails take on a life of their own in each panel. The last pages include examples of character development and interior art development of the book. VERDICT Highly recommended for younger fans of "The Baby-Sitter's Club" graphic novel series. A first purchase for most collections.--Kadie Seitz
Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
Kirkus
A faithfully executed adaptation worth visiting for new and returning readers.
Review quotes
★ The humor from the original novel is left intact. . . Amber Brown is most definitely not a crayon—as she tells classmates who tease her about her name—but her world tends to assume a stylized palette that sets the tone of each scene. . . A faithfully executed adaptation worth visiting for new and returning readers. -Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Amber is a spirited, quirky, and charmingly relatable character, and Victoria Ying's illustrations have brought those characteristics to life on every page, enhancing Paula Danziger's signature humor. Paula would love this. —Ann M. Martin, author of the Babysitters Club series
No one is cuter, funnier and more trouble than Amber Brown in this graphic novel. I love her. —Francine Pascal, author of the Sweet Valley Twins series
Funny and engaging, Amber Brown Is Not a Crayon is a charming take on a classic. —Terri Libenson, creator of the NYT bestselling Emmie & Friends series
Paula Danziger's irrepressible, charming, hilarious and very messy third grader bursts with life in Victoria Ying's winning and wonderful graphic novel adaptation. —Brian Selznick, Caldecott Medal-winning author/illustrator of The Invention of Hugo Cabret
Praise for the original Amber Brown Is not a Crayon
Danziger reaches out to a younger audience in this funny, touching slice of third-grade live, told in the voice of a feisty, lovable heroine. —School Library Journal, starred review
Danziger [has] a pitch-perfect view of a child's emotions. —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
This heroine's perky, first-person narrative allows readers to make her acquaintance immediately—and effortlessly. —Publishers Weekly, starred review
Danziger received numerous honors, including: Parent's Choice Awards, International Reading Association - Children's Book Council Awards, a IRA-CBC Children's Choice Award and many nominations for state reading and library association awards.
Known as a flamboyantly funny and deeply honest writer and speaker, Paula Danziger knew how to relate to young readers at their level. She was vital, funny, and compassionate. She knew how kids felt, what made them laugh, what they wore, collected, read, and played with. From collecting novelty toys that would make any teacher cringe, to wearing jangly earrings, funky glasses and shoes covered with beads and sequins, Paula Danziger had a direct line into kids' hearts and funnybones. She will be missed always.
In Paula's memory, The Amber Brown Fund has been established to bring authors and illustrators to schools and libraries which otherwise could not afford them. Donations may be sent to The Amber Brown Fund/ SCBWI Museum of Children's Books, 8271 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048.Tony Ross lives in London, England.
JUV019000 - Juvenile Fiction | Humorous Stories
JUV013020 - Juvenile Fiction | Family | Marriage & Divorce
JUV008110 - Juvenile Fiction | Comics & Graphic Novels | Humorous
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Friendship in children
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Moving, Household
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Brown, Amber
