When James and Eamon gocelebration of young boys, childhood friendships, and the power of the imagination, Marla Frazee captures the very essence o...
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reviews
Jun 24, 2008
Roxanne Hsu
rated it: 
One Librarian Had the Best Reading Experience Ever with this wonderful title.
It is what I thought of as a quintessential American picture book -- it is about summer camp, spending time with your best buddy, by the beach, with someone's grandparents, having a great time doing all sorts of stuff and some mischief under the grown-ups' noses. But more over, it is a picture book that NEEDS to be read WITH the pictures. I'm not saying that all picture books should do what the author/illu More...
It is what I thought of as a quintessential American picture book -- it is about summer camp, spending time with your best buddy, by the beach, with someone's grandparents, having a great time doing all sorts of stuff and some mischief under the grown-ups' noses. But more over, it is a picture book that NEEDS to be read WITH the pictures. I'm not saying that all picture books should do what the author/illu More...
May 15, 2008
KT
rated it:
James and Eamon spend a week at Eamon's grandparents' house so they can attend a nearby Nature Camp during the day. The two best friends have a great time together, not necessarily at Nature Camp, but during the times they spend playing together on the off hours. In fact, neither boy seems to have much interest at all in nature -- all week long they turn down Grandpa Bill's suggestion that they go to a special penguin exhibit at a nearby museum, and neither boy really even wants to play outside
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Jun 30, 2008
Susan
rated it:
I gave this book another try after listening to the discussion about it at the ALA Notable Committee. And I've got to say, I'm a convert... so I'm changing my star rating of this one.
*****
I'm starting to come to the conclusion that I'm the only person in the world who didn't like this book. I found it confusing (not good in a picture book) and it took me a few tries to get through it. I think this is one of those books that is really written for adults, and not for 4-6 year ol More...
*****
I'm starting to come to the conclusion that I'm the only person in the world who didn't like this book. I found it confusing (not good in a picture book) and it took me a few tries to get through it. I think this is one of those books that is really written for adults, and not for 4-6 year ol More...
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Nov 18, 2008
babyhippoface
rated it: 
Kids will like this one. Adults, eh. Not so much. Which is fine, because it isn't for adults, after all. But even conceding that point, there are still Marla Frazee's illustrations, and who needs more than that?
Plus, anyone who has ever planned for children some activities you think are fun and educational, only to have the kids opt out to stay home and wrestle, will identify with poor Bill. But he keeps trying, bless his heart....
Plus, anyone who has ever planned for children some activities you think are fun and educational, only to have the kids opt out to stay home and wrestle, will identify with poor Bill. But he keeps trying, bless his heart....
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Oct 03, 2008
Carter
rated it: 
I worked at summer camps for over ten years, so I was drawn to this book about two boys who spend a week at nature camp.
What I like about this book, about which I'm sure a lot of people will say the same thing, is how the text tells one story and the illustrations tell another.
For example, the text says in one place, "Then in complete agreement, the campers would decide to practice quiet meditation downstairs."
The image is of the two boys, James More...
What I like about this book, about which I'm sure a lot of people will say the same thing, is how the text tells one story and the illustrations tell another.
For example, the text says in one place, "Then in complete agreement, the campers would decide to practice quiet meditation downstairs."
The image is of the two boys, James More...
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Dec 26, 2008
Kate Hastings
rated it:
Two boys go to "nature camp." Which is ironic because they try their best to NEVER do anything outside while vacationing near the beach. They eat ice cream, watch TV,sleep in sleeping bags on an air mattress in the spare bedroom, play video games, etc.
Then on their last night... they go OUTSIDE... and have the best part of their week. Funny.
Then on their last night... they go OUTSIDE... and have the best part of their week. Funny.
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Jul 06, 2010
Seth
rated it:
A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever is a good read for kids. This book is a Caldecott Honor and I can see why. Visually this book contains a lot of animation. Although there is plenty of writing, it is just as important to read the comic strip bubbles that appear over Eamon’s and Jame’s Heads. The reason why is because the bubbles do not always match exactly what the text is saying. This book is great for introducing children to humor and helping kids identify with their own sense of h
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May 23, 2010
Kennytanners
rated it:
This nostalgic tale captures the transitional mind set of two young boys from the suburbs, Eamon and James who find themselves falling into their usual routine of video games and television while at a grandparents beach house for a week but on the last evening unexpectedly they experience adventures and new found joy from using their imagination and a few sea shells they create a magical moment that most readers are able to connect with. It was a fun page turner with whole lot humor. It was ex
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Feb 03, 2010
Ch_hayley
rated it:
The humour in this comic-like picture book is sure to make elementary aged students laugh. Readers have to really understand sarcism to relate to Marla Frazee's "A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever."
Two boys, Eamon and James, go to Eamon's grandparents house at the beach. The two boys are looking forward to spending time together at a nature summer camp. The boys bond over the course of the week, and really discover a lot about nature (not really)! However, Eamon and James More...
Two boys, Eamon and James, go to Eamon's grandparents house at the beach. The two boys are looking forward to spending time together at a nature summer camp. The boys bond over the course of the week, and really discover a lot about nature (not really)! However, Eamon and James More...
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Nov 15, 2009
NS- Sarah
rated it:
This book by Marla Frazee is quite interesting. It is very different from most picture books and most fiction books. It is a story of two young boys, James and Eamon, who go to stay with Bill and Pam who are Eamon's grandparents. Bill and Pam live at the beach so the arrangement was for the boys to have a week of outdoor activities including nature camp. The boys end up doing more things indoors than outdoors. There are many realistic details sprinkled throughout the book which, in my opini
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May 01, 2009
Shel
rated it:
Frazee, M. (2008). A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever. New York: Harcourt, Inc.
9780152060206
During the summer, two boys (James and Eamon) spend the week with Eamon’s grandparents while attending an outdoor day camp. While the boys are reluctant to enjoy some of the nature activities, they eventually find the perfect activity for them.
This book was one of the Caldecott honor books for 2008. For me, the reason that this hon More...
9780152060206
During the summer, two boys (James and Eamon) spend the week with Eamon’s grandparents while attending an outdoor day camp. While the boys are reluctant to enjoy some of the nature activities, they eventually find the perfect activity for them.
This book was one of the Caldecott honor books for 2008. For me, the reason that this hon More...
Jan 19, 2009
Kelly
rated it: 
This book has lots of funny bits, and the illustrations are cute. My only problem with it was that it's a little slow getting started--I had to read the first page several times to get all the names and relationships to stick in my head.
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May 23, 2010
Rachelle
rated it:
A Couple of Boys Have The Best Week Ever, was a delightful and humorous book. When two boys travel to go to nature camp, they have the best week of their lives. Instead of actually learning about nature, the boys eat ice cream, play video games and eat a lot of waffles. This book was a perfect depiction of a couple of silly boys at a nature camp. Also, this book is fun, with ironic twists.
The pictures were vital to the book and its entertaining and humorous tone. Also, the illust More...
The pictures were vital to the book and its entertaining and humorous tone. Also, the illust More...
Oct 08, 2009
(NS) Brea M
rated it:
Marla Frazee’s, A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever gives a creative and realistic account of two boys, James and Eamon who go to nature camp. The funny thing is that the author does not actually write much about nature camp, nor do the boys care too much about it. The main focus is the boys’ adventures at Eamon’s grandparents, where they stay each night after camp. While Grandpa Bill tries to entice the boys with a trip to the Natural History Museum to visit the penguins, the boys are m
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Oct 23, 2009
Laura
rated it:
Summary:
A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever is a picture book written for students in grades 2-5. The book was written with various amounts of text on each page along with character dialogue that contributes to the importance of the story. The story begins as 2 boys go away from home to stay with Eamon's (one of the boys) grandparents during a week of Nature Camp. When they get to the grandparents house (Bill and Pam) the boys enjoy spending time with them. They eat peanut butter More...
A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever is a picture book written for students in grades 2-5. The book was written with various amounts of text on each page along with character dialogue that contributes to the importance of the story. The story begins as 2 boys go away from home to stay with Eamon's (one of the boys) grandparents during a week of Nature Camp. When they get to the grandparents house (Bill and Pam) the boys enjoy spending time with them. They eat peanut butter More...
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Oct 08, 2009
Michelle
rated it:
Summary:
When James and Eamon go to a week of Nature Camp and stay at Eamon's grandparents' house, it turns out that their free time spent staying inside, eating waffles, and playing video games is way more interesting than nature. But sometimes things work out best when they don't go exactly as planned.
In this moving and hilarious celebration of young boys, childhood friendships, and the power of the imagination, Marla Frazee captures the very essence of summer vacation and wha More...
When James and Eamon go to a week of Nature Camp and stay at Eamon's grandparents' house, it turns out that their free time spent staying inside, eating waffles, and playing video games is way more interesting than nature. But sometimes things work out best when they don't go exactly as planned.
In this moving and hilarious celebration of young boys, childhood friendships, and the power of the imagination, Marla Frazee captures the very essence of summer vacation and wha More...
Oct 02, 2009
Amanda
rated it:
A couple of boys have the best week ever
Summary:
A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever is a picture book that is written with graphic novel characteristics of dialogue bubbles throughout the text. This story is about two boys that go to Eamon’s grandparent’s house for a week in the summer for a “nature camp.” The grandparents have distinct personalities as the grandpa wants to see penguins and nature, while the grandma wants to cook and feed the boys. When the boys come home eac More...
Summary:
A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever is a picture book that is written with graphic novel characteristics of dialogue bubbles throughout the text. This story is about two boys that go to Eamon’s grandparent’s house for a week in the summer for a “nature camp.” The grandparents have distinct personalities as the grandpa wants to see penguins and nature, while the grandma wants to cook and feed the boys. When the boys come home eac More...
Oct 12, 2009
Summary: When James and Eamon go to a week of Nature Camp and stay at Eamon's grandparents' house, it turns out that their free time spent staying inside, eating waffles, and playing video games is way more interesting than nature. But sometimes things work out best when they don't go exactly as planned.
In this moving and hilarious celebration of young boys, childhood friendships, and the power of the imagination, Marla Frazee captures the very essence of summer vacation and what it means More...
In this moving and hilarious celebration of young boys, childhood friendships, and the power of the imagination, Marla Frazee captures the very essence of summer vacation and what it means More...
Oct 14, 2009
Jessica
rated it:
A Couple of Boys have the Best Week Ever
1. Brief Summary
Two boys spend a week with a set of grandparents while they go to nature camp. Even though the boys are a little different from each other, they still have a great time together. They get to eat fun foods, play together and use imagination to find common ground. They go to nature camp through the day, and come home to the grandparents house where the fun never ends.
2. Potential Audience (Genre, Topic, and Rea More...
1. Brief Summary
Two boys spend a week with a set of grandparents while they go to nature camp. Even though the boys are a little different from each other, they still have a great time together. They get to eat fun foods, play together and use imagination to find common ground. They go to nature camp through the day, and come home to the grandparents house where the fun never ends.
2. Potential Audience (Genre, Topic, and Rea More...
Feb 06, 2012
Beth
rated it:
I am including this book in a unit that I'm doing on illustration in children's books.
Marla Frazee, the author and illustrator works, in gouache and black prismacolor in this book -- she also does all of the text in one of those neat all-cap styles which I've always wished I could emulate.
The book imitates a sort of comic book style, and there ARE some really charming illustrations. I loved the two boys on their blow-up mattress, surrounded by toys/animals; the goggle eyes in More...
Marla Frazee, the author and illustrator works, in gouache and black prismacolor in this book -- she also does all of the text in one of those neat all-cap styles which I've always wished I could emulate.
The book imitates a sort of comic book style, and there ARE some really charming illustrations. I loved the two boys on their blow-up mattress, surrounded by toys/animals; the goggle eyes in More...
Jan 24, 2012
Olivia
rated it:
This book was really adorable. Before I read the book I took a few minutes and analyzed the cover. I made the assumption that these two boys were "twin brothers" who were going outdoor camping. I was wrong these two boys, James and Eamon, were friends who were going to spend time at Eamon's grandparents house. This was an outstanding children's book, the book had wonderful visual aspects that made the book more enjoyable to read. Throughout this book there was quite a bit of humor whic
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Oct 14, 2009
Katie
rated it:
1. Summary: James & Eamon attend Nature Camp while staying at Bill and Pam’s house. Bill and Pam are Eamon’s grandparents who live at the beach. Even the boys and grandparents have different personalities they all have a great time together. Bill takes the kids to Nature Camp during the day and when they come home they fun never stops. They have the best week ever.
2. Reading Level: Early.
Genre: Animated Fiction.
Topic: Summer fun between two young boys away from h More...
2. Reading Level: Early.
Genre: Animated Fiction.
Topic: Summer fun between two young boys away from h More...
Oct 22, 2009
Jenna
rated it:
Summary: When James and Eamon go to a week of Nature Camp and stay at Eamon's grandparents' house, it turns out that their free time spent staying inside, eating waffles, and playing video games is way more interesting than nature. But sometimes things work out best when they don't go exactly as planned.
In this moving and hilarious celebration of young boys, childhood friendships, and the power of the imagination, Marla Frazee captures the very essence of summer vacation and what it means More...
In this moving and hilarious celebration of young boys, childhood friendships, and the power of the imagination, Marla Frazee captures the very essence of summer vacation and what it means More...
Jan 10, 2009
Lynn
rated it:
Very fnny with wonderful illustrations. Too old for my 5-year olds but I really enjoyed it.
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Oct 24, 2009
Samantha
rated it:
Summary: When James and Eamon go to a week of Nature Camp and stay at Eamon's grandparents' house, it turns out that their free time spent staying inside, eating waffles, and playing video games is way more interesting than nature. But sometimes things work out best when they don't go exactly as planned.
In this moving and hilarious celebration of young boys, childhood friendships, and the power of the imagination, Marla Frazee captures the very essence of summer vacation and what it means More...
In this moving and hilarious celebration of young boys, childhood friendships, and the power of the imagination, Marla Frazee captures the very essence of summer vacation and what it means More...
Aug 15, 2011
James and Eamon spend a week with Eamon's grandparents, Bill and Pam. The boys go to Nature Camp each day, which gives the plot more interest. The humor in the book lies in the disconnect between the text and the illustrations. For example, James arrives with "just a couple of his belongings" but the illustration show that he has a mountain of stuff.
I guess I feel like I just don't get it. The pictures are great, the characters are charming. Maybe it's harder than I More...
I guess I feel like I just don't get it. The pictures are great, the characters are charming. Maybe it's harder than I More...
Oct 26, 2009
Valerie
rated it:
Summary: When James and Eamon go to a week of Nature Camp and stay at Eamon's grandparents' house, it turns out that their free time spent staying inside, eating waffles, and playing video games is way more interesting than nature. But sometimes things work out best when they don't go exactly as planned.
In this moving and hilarious celebration of young boys, childhood friendships, and the power of the imagination, Marla Frazee captures the very essence of summer vacation and what it means More...
In this moving and hilarious celebration of young boys, childhood friendships, and the power of the imagination, Marla Frazee captures the very essence of summer vacation and what it means More...
Apr 02, 2008
The Library Lady
rated it:
This is NOT a book for toddlers or preschoolers. Rather it's a terrific example of a picture book that will tickle the funny bones of school age kids--boys and girls alike. They'll get the jokes and enjoy the book's style , which is almost that of a graphic novel. Loads of kid appeal here.
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Sep 04, 2011
Jenna
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James and Eamon are two young boys who go to Eamon's grandaparents' house for summer camp. Bill and Pam, the grandparents, take the boys to see the birds and fix them pancakes for breakfast the whole time they are there. Even though the boys are busy at camp the whole week making little projects they complain about how boring and hot it was. Pam and Bill begin to call the boys Jamon because they are always together and doing the same thing.
It is a great picture book to read to you More...
It is a great picture book to read to you More...
Oct 10, 2011
Kara
rated it:
When James and Eamon go to a week of Nature Camp and stay at Eamon's grandparents' house, it turns out that their free time spent staying inside, eating waffles, and playing video games is way more interesting than nature. But sometimes things work out best when they don't go exactly as planned.
In this moving and hilarious celebration of young boys, childhood friendships, and the power of the imagination, Marla Frazee captures the very essence of summer vacation and what i More...
In this moving and hilarious celebration of young boys, childhood friendships, and the power of the imagination, Marla Frazee captures the very essence of summer vacation and what i More...
