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71st out of 136 books
—
546 voters
When Life Gives You O.J.
by
Erica S. Perl (Goodreads Author)
For years, 10-year-old Zelly Fried has tried to convince her parents to let her have a dog. After all, practically everyone in Vermont owns a dog, and it sure could go a long way helping Zelly fit in since moving there from Brooklyn. But when her eccentric grandfather Ace hatches a ridiculous plan involving a "practice dog" named OJ, Zelly's not so sure how far she's willi...more
Hardcover, 208 pages
Published
June 14th 2011
by Knopf Books for Young Readers
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Zelly Fried wants a dog more than anything, but her parents aren't convinced. When her eccentric grandpa Ace leaves her a note tied to an old orange juice jug, she's the one who isn't quite convinced. Ace has cooked up a plan for Zelly to have a "practice dog" to prove to her parents that she really is ready to take on the responsibilities of owning a dog. Will Zelly be able to do this? She really does want a dog. But she's sure that she will die of embarrassment "walking" an old orange juice ju...more
Charming, adorable, cute! The chapters are a tad long, so it might take an 8-12 year old some time to finish one. One chapter a night might be asking a lot for an 8 year old. But very adorable book! I LOVED the dictionary at the end! And I have to admit that when I read she finally got her puppy, I teared up. I loved the paw prints at the beg of each chapter and the lil bones!
Zelly was persistant with O.J. and it paid off!
*I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.*
Zelly was persistant with O.J. and it paid off!
*I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.*
Sep 09, 2012
Charlyn Trussell
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Shelves:
boy-girl-relationships,
bullying,
camp,
dogs,
family_story,
fiction,
friendship,
grandparents,
grief,
humor,
prejudice,
realistic-fiction
When Zelly Fried's family moves from Brooklyn to Vermont to care for her grandfather, Zelly finds herself amidst people who are quite different from her and her family. But she does find one positive thing: now that they live in a home with a yard, maybe she can finally get the dog she has always wanted. There is no support from her parents on that issue, however. But Ace, her grandfather gives her a "practice" dog, an empty orange juice container, which she names O.J. Ace tells her she must pro...more
Zelly wants a dog so bad that she agrees to Grandpa Ace’s plan to lug around an empty orange juice jug as a “practice dog.” Can Zelly do it? Can she prance around town and not care what other people think about her? Zelly is new to town and her best friend, Allie, is off at camp. She doesn’t write and Zelly is worried. Dragging her dog, OJ, around does distract her but she wonders if Allie will make new friends and forget Zelly. Jeremy moves in down the block and they strike up a friendship. He...more
Zelda Fried, pronounced freed, wants a dog, wants to go to camp Sonrise with her best friend Allie, and she wants to move back to her old neighborhood. That's quite a bit for an almost eleven year old going int the sixth grade.
When Zelly asks her parents if she can go to camp with her best friends, the answer was no, although her parents congratulated her for making a good case. The problems is they've recently moved to Vermont to a new house. You see, she recently lost her grandmother whom she...more
When Zelly asks her parents if she can go to camp with her best friends, the answer was no, although her parents congratulated her for making a good case. The problems is they've recently moved to Vermont to a new house. You see, she recently lost her grandmother whom she...more
Okay, so here's what I've been puzzling over with this book-- it's a PRIME example of the sort of book that sometimes struggles to find the right readers, I think. Because it takes real risks, in quiet ways. It doesn't announce itself as "quirky" or "zany." It just is those things, because it is human, and humans are those things...
The book is charming, yes. It is funny. The characters are real. The writing is impossibly good, without requiring flourishes. It is smart and witty and SIMPLE. In th...more
The book is charming, yes. It is funny. The characters are real. The writing is impossibly good, without requiring flourishes. It is smart and witty and SIMPLE. In th...more
Zelly wants a dog more than anything, but can't believe it when her grandfather gives her an old orange juice jug and tells her to use it as a practice dog to convince her parents she can handle the responsibility of a real dog. She's embarrassed to take OJ out for a walk-almost as embarrassed as she is by her little brother wearing yellow and black for a patriotic parade. Zelly's at the age where everything seems extremely important, especially appearances and friendships. Unfortunately, her be...more
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Loved this book! A great look at what is irritating yet lovable about our families through the relationship of Zelly and her grandfather, Ace. You laugh and you cry at the evolution of the relationship during the course of the book. The additional messages about challenges and changes in friendships make this a great middle grades read for kids 9-12. I'd highly recommend it!
When Life Gives You O.J. is a fun read that will be enjoyed by young animal lovers. Every child who has ever begged her parents for a pet will relate to Zelly's story. Zelly's grandfather's plan to convince her parents that she is responsible involves a "practice dog" made out of a plastic orange juice jug. Zelly is embarrassed to be seen pretending an orange juice jug is a pet (complete with feeding, walking, and cleaning up fake poop), and must ask herself how much social ribbing she is willin...more
This book is another one of my exciting accidental finds. The idea of an empty orange juice jug as a dog (and I am a sucker for a good person/dog story--as long as the dog doesn't die) was too enticing for me to pass up! And I am glad I searched for this in the library!
O.J. is, indeed, an empty orange juice jug (like a gallon milk carton). When 10-year-old Zelly (short for Zelda) wakes up one morning the empty jug is at her bedside with a note that reads
O.J. is, indeed, an empty orange juice jug (like a gallon milk carton). When 10-year-old Zelly (short for Zelda) wakes up one morning the empty jug is at her bedside with a note that reads
KID,...more
SEE ME IMMEDIATELY WHEN YOU GET THIS.
Jan 02, 2012
Phoebe
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
juv,
realistic-fiction
Zelda's life has given her some lemons: she wants a dog badly, but her parents say no; her family is Jewish, and she feels she doesn't fit in, after moving to Vermont from Brooklyn. No one else has bushy brown hair and glasses. Her best friend is away at a church camp. But her feisty grandpa Ace proposes a solution to the dog dilemma, crazy and embarrassing as it may be--and she meets a Jewish boy called Jeremy, and slowly Zelda begins to realize that she shouldn't care so much what others think...more
What a funny, sweet story. Cranky grandfather + fake dog + early adolescent angst = charming. And the touches of grief and understanding elevate it beyond quirky. Very nicely done.
For the first time in the 10 years we've worked together, my co-worker in the children's room (he's actually my supervisor now) Eugene, and I have been able to talk extensively about children's literature because we're both on the RI Children's Book Award committee. I've been reading children's books steadily for years and he reads more sporadically. Until now! We've both read about 60 books since September, not necessarily the same titles but this is one we both read and liked. He pointed out t...more
Zelly Fried moves from Brooklyn to Vermont with her family to support her aging grandfather. More than anything, Zelly wants a dog. Her grandfather, Ace, convinces her to use an orange juice bottle as a practice dog. The rest of the novel tells how Zelly makes friends, adjusts to life in Vermont, and builds a relationship with her sometimes difficult grandfather.
This middle grade novel reminded me very much of the Kate Messner's The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z. Both novels include strong girls w...more
This middle grade novel reminded me very much of the Kate Messner's The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z. Both novels include strong girls w...more
Children's librarians can be neatly divided into two categories with relatively little difficulty. Basically, they either love and adore dogs and all things doggie related or they don't. I don't. I was never the kid begging her parents for a hound. I did not dream of fluffy golden retriever puppies or watch the Westminster Dog Show on television with undiluted envy. As an adult, I've maintained my canine-related neutrality admirably. I don't dislike dogs, but I don't obsess over them. So when fo...more
Zelly is desperate for a dog. She's also desperate to get away from her practice dog, which is better known as an empty jug of orange juice. Her grandfather Ace camp up with the whole practice dog scheme and got Zelly to agree to his help before she knew what he was planning. She's got to take the practice dog, better known as OJ, on walks. She has to feed him and then empty out the resulting mushy food later.
Zelly thinks there's no way cleaning up fake dog poop is going to convince her parents...more
Zelly thinks there's no way cleaning up fake dog poop is going to convince her parents...more
I loved this little book. A wonderful chapter book for younger children (second-fourth grade is where I see it). This is the story of Zelly and her grandfather and a discarded plastic jug that becomes Zelly's "practice dog." Themes of family, friendship, and responsibility run through this story. Will appeal to boys and girls alike. Also reminds me that we don't see too many books with young Jewish protagonists outside of Holocaust literature.
Picked this one up on the recommendation of a friend without really knowing what it was about. Zelly is ten years old and has moved to Vermont from Brooklyn with her family. Her grandmother has passed away and they have moved to live with her grandfather. I enjoyed how Perl dealt with several issues - fitting in, friendships, longing for something, relationships with family members, and more. A very relatable book for the age group I teach.
I loved this book. Zelly, like a lot of 10 year olds, is feeling that life has given her a sack lemons. Her family left NY to move to Vermont and the only good that could come of it is that she could finally have a dog of her own. But her parent nix the plan. Luckily, her wacky grandfather has a wacky idea. To prove she's worthy she creates a practice dog, named O.J. after the carton that makes up his body. A lovely, entertaining read.
Zelly is a character that most girls and many boys will relate to when they read it. I can definitely see that most of the fourth and fifth graders will get out of Zelly and her 'practice' dog. I'm not sure if they'll understand the Yiddish words and phrases smattered throughout the text. It definitely will give them a better understanding of people with different backgrounds and experiences.
I love it. This book is set in Burlington. I will get gabby's address and mail to her. Must make o.j. Prop dog for book talks. OK, this book is getting better and better. The protagonist, Zelly Fried (pronounced Free-d), is learning to play tennis.Her new friend Jeremy is teaching her. Allie her best friend goes off to camp and comes back as Allison. Another bully story. 7 stars.
Really enjoyed this book, hilarious. Especially appreciated all the Yiddish words, threw me back to the time my grandparents on my mom's side were alive and naturally including Yiddish in conversation. I still include some Yiddish in my conversations but often stumble using it because I worry people won't understand...
This book is about a girl that really wants a dog and her parents will not agree, so they give her a empty gallon of orange juice and tell her that is her dog. Evreyday she drags it for a walk, feeds it, and takes it to the bathroom just like a real dog. This book was funny and a great story idea.
Love the cover!
This is the story of Zelly Fried, an 11 year-old Jewish girl from Brooklyn recently transplanted with her family to Burlington, VT to live with her widowed grandfather Ace. Zelly really wants a dog and Ace proposes the practice dog--an empty OJ jug-that she walks, feeds and even practices with cleaning up after. Through OJ, she meets Jeremy, also Jewish, who becomes a quick friend. This is more the story of finding your place--being proud of your heritage, and learning responsibil...more
This is the story of Zelly Fried, an 11 year-old Jewish girl from Brooklyn recently transplanted with her family to Burlington, VT to live with her widowed grandfather Ace. Zelly really wants a dog and Ace proposes the practice dog--an empty OJ jug-that she walks, feeds and even practices with cleaning up after. Through OJ, she meets Jeremy, also Jewish, who becomes a quick friend. This is more the story of finding your place--being proud of your heritage, and learning responsibil...more
I don't think I would be as brave as Zelly when I was a kid, and do what she did, even if I knew I could have had a pet. Wonderful characters and inside Jewish jokes; a great one to read aloud with your child.
This book is amazing!It shows great texture when my teacher read it to us. It shows how Zelda and her grandfather Ace connect. It's like when the author was describing Zelda I could picture it all!
Although this book may have a limited audience (heavy on Jewish theme as well as "I want a dog" theme) it is a lovely story about family -- warts and all -- as well as friendship and fitting in.
A fun, easy read; I finished it in a single evening. Zelda is a fun narrator with a good head on her shoulders. This would work well as a read-aloud for younger elementary students.
Really cute book. I appreciated how real the characters were and how believable the issues she was dealing with. I would recommend for 8-12 year old girls, or a fun quick summer read for the parent :)
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An accomplished and versatile writer, Erica S. Perl wears many hats literally and figuratively. Her new middle grade novel, WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU O.J., is "a must read for all 8-12 year olds" (modernjewishmom.com).
She is also the author of several picture books, including DOTTY, which was called "Perfect! Perfect! Perfect!" by www.planetesme.com, CHICKEN BUTT!, illustrated by Henry Cole - "an utter...more
More about Erica S. Perl...
She is also the author of several picture books, including DOTTY, which was called "Perfect! Perfect! Perfect!" by www.planetesme.com, CHICKEN BUTT!, illustrated by Henry Cole - "an utter...more
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Sep 07, 2011 05:36pm