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33rd out of 76 books
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The Chalk Box Kid (Stepping Stone, paper)
Random House is proud to present the tenth anniversary edition of a book Publishers Weekly called "a gem of a book...a story that goes straight to the heart." When nine-year-old Gregory experiences several upsets in his life, he responds by creating a fantastic chalk garden on the charred walls of a burned-out factory behind his house. As his garden grows and flourishes,...more
Paperback, 64 pages
Published
September 12th 1987
by Random House Books for Young Readers
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Shelby Troutman
rated it
The book tells the story of Gregory's transition into a new school. During the move his family does not seem to be supportive. We are led to believe that he lives a lonely life. As school begins he is treated rudely. It isn't until he finds a burned building behind his new home that he begins to adjust to his new surroundings. He used the new building to make an urban garden by drawing on the black walls. This modern day garden helps him become noticed by not only his teachers and classmat...more
Realistic Fiction. "When nine-year-old Gregory experiences several upsets in his life, he responds by creating a fantastic chalk garden on the charred walls of a burned-out factory behind his house. As his garden grows and flourishes, Gregory finds a voice through his art and, for the first time, is able to find his own place in the world."
I liked this story because in the beginning Gregory was a sad, lonely boy in a new school. By the end of the story, through his artisti...more
I liked this story because in the beginning Gregory was a sad, lonely boy in a new school. By the end of the story, through his artisti...more
If you have a beginner reader, then this is a nice chapter book to begin them on. Gregory is a 9 year old boy who is struggling with his new surroundings. He finds himself escaping reality by visiting his private art room behind his house. Using simple chalk, he creates things he wishes he had in reality. A little too perfect ending is a minus, but the moral is there and it's a nice book for a quick read.
Acacia Casner
added it
This book is about a boy who moves to a new town. He is faced with the difficulties of making new friends, getting used to a new house, and going to a new school. He learns to love the place when he finds an old abandoned Chalk Factory behind his house. He uses things he finds in the factory to create a make believe garden for himself. He also unexpectedly makes a friend along the way.
The story is about a boy moving to a new neighborhood and creating a magical world in a very unlikely place. I felt so sorry for Gregory in the beginning because his family just moved and they forgot his birthday. Then he has to share his bedroom with an uncle he doesn't like. In the end Gregory triumphs with a remorseful family and a class full of new friends.
This book just may be the best of all the many heartwarming stories that I have read from Clyde Robert Bulla. I grew to deeply love Gregory in these few pages. The majestically understated skill of Clyde Robert Bulla is at its best here, and the drawings of Thomas B. Allen are extraordinary. I would recommend this book to anyone.
A lot of emotional depth for such a simply-told story. My first-grader read this for school. She picked up on the main message but some of the subtlety might have been better absorbed if she were another year or so older. I saw another reviewer suggest it's reminiscent of a Raymond Carver short story. I agree.
A solid and spare (and somewhat gothically illustrated) children's story that reads like a Raymond Carver short story. It feels true and the pay-off at the end feels genuine. It concerns a boy who works out his inner turmoil over his family's recent move by creating a garden mural in an abandoned chalk factory behind his house. What really gives the book its refreshing uniqueness is the bleak, unpatronizing language (though there are a few unfortunate exclamation points) and the fact that the ca...more
A sweet story about a boy who creates a garden masterpiece with an abandoned wall, and some chalk. A nice book for kids, as it tells a story of peer acceptance and a sense of self.
my mom bought me this book when I was in 2nd grade because she liked the illustrations (by Thomas B. Allen). I really did love the page where his "garden" is shown. :)
A nice, gentle book about a boy dealing with a new neighborhood and school. Clyde Robert Bulla has written many excellent chapter books for the younger child.
A grade school story of a boy artist who struggles to make friends at a new school. Katherine thought she wouldn't like this, but ended up wanting to hear it over and over.
This is a VERY quick read. But it was still a very good book because I liked all the creativity that Gregory had.
This is a book about a young boy who uses his creativity to make a garden bloom in a most unusual way.
Beginning reader: A great story about a boy who finds a place of his own where he can make his own garden.
Beginning Reader. I liked this story! I may use it for a unit about kindness and recognizing peoples talents.
this is an amazing story about a kid and an old smoke house. it is very insperational
What an honor to have the opportunity to read this short book to my kids. -I cried!
Story Revolution
added it
Random House is proud to present the tenth anniversary edition of a bookPublishers Weekly called "a gem of a book...a story that goes straightto the heart." When nine-year-old Gregory experiences several upsets in hislife, he responds by creating a fantastic chalk garden on the charred walls ofa burned-out factory behind his house. As his garden grows and flourishes,Gregory finds a voice through his art and, for the first time, is able to findhis own place in the world. The Chalk Bo...more
George goes into a burnt out building and creates an awesome chalk garden.
I can't spoil it because it's such a good book!
i thought it was ok but it was a nice story
a burned building what will he do with it
There's more than one kind of garden.
read this when I was super little.
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I really liked this book because it not only showed gregory's artist ways but it shows how he expresses himself through his art. Also instead of growing a real Garden he Drawed one which is very creative and his art look ed very nice
This book includes some eery, wonderful charcoal drawings that complement the story very well (rare for children's book illustrations).
The story is about a lonely child at a new school that discovers an isolated concrete wall in town where he unleashes murals and pictures from his imagination with the aid of some chalk.
An elegiac little book about creative children.
The story is about a lonely child at a new school that discovers an isolated concrete wall in town where he unleashes murals and pictures from his imagination with the aid of some chalk.
An elegiac little book about creative children.
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