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Juggling with Mandarins
Two, three, four - how many mandarins can Pip juggle? A coming-of-age novel about Pip, whose father wants him to be everything that Pip is not. Pip is good at English, like his mother; but Pip′s father wants him to be a soccer star like Nick, Pip′s brother, and to win at any cost. When Pip′s English teacher challenges her students to learn how to juggle three balls, Pip is determined that he will do better than that. He sets his sights high and finally learns how to juggle not three balls, but five mandarins. Along the way, he also finds the courage to confront his father and express his anger and resentment - to publicly claim the right to be his own person and live his life on his own terms. Juggling with Mandarins is a novel about growing up. It asserts the importance of living life on your own terms, and of competing for enjoyment rather than reward. It explores the complex love-hate relationship between a father and son, and the sometimes painful process of realising that parents are, after all, only human.
224 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2003
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167 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
July 29, 2017
I re-read this again after going climbing for the first time in around 12 years - half my life, and I would have been the same age as Pip, the protagonist, is here.
There's something about clinging to a wall, forever-up in the air, to put everything into perspective. Reading the book again was surprising - it's just as good now as it was to a young pre-teen in the early hours of the new millennium. A few pieces have dated - there are a few throwaway stereotypes that hit a dull and awkward note - but it's still a charming and succinct metaphor for growing up just that little bit different.
There's something about clinging to a wall, forever-up in the air, to put everything into perspective. Reading the book again was surprising - it's just as good now as it was to a young pre-teen in the early hours of the new millennium. A few pieces have dated - there are a few throwaway stereotypes that hit a dull and awkward note - but it's still a charming and succinct metaphor for growing up just that little bit different.
August 1, 2013
I decided to read the book "Juggling with Mandarins" by V.M. Jones because The title seems weird but i thought i would give it a try. The author is also well known so i thought it would be good, and it was.
This book was recommended to me by my Mum. She really wanted me to keep reading so she gave me this book to read. It crosses off the category 'recommended to you by a member of your family'. I often look at the books that my mum reads and i just laugh because they look so boring. I wasn't so sure about this book either. I ended up really enjoyed reading it over the holidays.
My Favourite character was Philips (the main characters) brother Nick. This is because he treats Philip like my brother treats me. I can feel how Philip feels but I would like to have the power once in a while. He is also really sporty and popular which makes him more of a friendlier person in my perspective.
"Philip McLeod, you did it! You won!Is my favourite quote from the book. This is because it was when Philip had climbed to the top of the rock wall and wins the whole competition. Philip had been training for a long time and had finally beaten his rival.
In the book Philips Dad is very protective over his child, and wants him to become just like how he was. Fore filling his dads dream for him. Philip didn't want to do all of it so he stood up to his dad and told him. My dad isn't like this but if anyone in my life ever is like that to me I will tell them how I feel about it.
This book was recommended to me by my Mum. She really wanted me to keep reading so she gave me this book to read. It crosses off the category 'recommended to you by a member of your family'. I often look at the books that my mum reads and i just laugh because they look so boring. I wasn't so sure about this book either. I ended up really enjoyed reading it over the holidays.
My Favourite character was Philips (the main characters) brother Nick. This is because he treats Philip like my brother treats me. I can feel how Philip feels but I would like to have the power once in a while. He is also really sporty and popular which makes him more of a friendlier person in my perspective.
"Philip McLeod, you did it! You won!Is my favourite quote from the book. This is because it was when Philip had climbed to the top of the rock wall and wins the whole competition. Philip had been training for a long time and had finally beaten his rival.
In the book Philips Dad is very protective over his child, and wants him to become just like how he was. Fore filling his dads dream for him. Philip didn't want to do all of it so he stood up to his dad and told him. My dad isn't like this but if anyone in my life ever is like that to me I will tell them how I feel about it.
September 30, 2012
This book was well written, and entertaining. The thing that I didn't like about this book was what happened between Pip and Katie. Yes, I know it's what happens in real life, but I hate the sadness of it! Other than that, a good book. I love how Pip discovered his gift; it made me laugh. And I love his brother's joke on his parents at the beginning of the book, lol. :)
June 9, 2017
A young adults book I picked up from the library discards. Despite all his adolescent worries, the main character Philip, manages to achieve several milestones in a short period of time; including the loss of his girl friend.
February 27, 2019
This book is good
May 31, 2012
'Juggling with mandarins' is about a boy named Pip(Philip)McLeod who has trouble getting along with his father. Everything that Pip does his dad wants him to win. But Pip thinks winning doesn't matter as long as you've tried your best. So between Pip and his father there are many conflicts, most of them Pip stays silent about because he's scared to stand up to his dad. Then Pip discovers a talent he has(he's not really good at anything else)and takes secret lessons to pursue the one thing he's interested and good at without his father knowing. This book also has a bit of romance between Pip and this girl he'd almost known all his life called Katie. Mostly this story is about the challenges Pip endures as part of growing up and how he eventually stands up to his father.
'Juggling with mandarins' was suprisingly cool book. I really enjoyed reading about what Pip had to overcome and what he was rewarded with. I can kind of relate Pip's experiences to mine because when I was little I found it hard to stand up to my parents too because you know "adults know best". It was different but effective how the author created a chapter for each character so that you could "know" them better. This story was packed full of emotion and you could literally feel it too. The ending sort of let the story down, because it didn't really summarise the whole plot and dropped down from the level of excitement that the book contains.
But overall, I think 'Juggling with mandarins' was a great book club book and I would be interested to read another book written by V.M. Jones. I would recommend this book to ages 11 and over who would prefer a heartwarming and emotional story.
'Juggling with mandarins' was suprisingly cool book. I really enjoyed reading about what Pip had to overcome and what he was rewarded with. I can kind of relate Pip's experiences to mine because when I was little I found it hard to stand up to my parents too because you know "adults know best". It was different but effective how the author created a chapter for each character so that you could "know" them better. This story was packed full of emotion and you could literally feel it too. The ending sort of let the story down, because it didn't really summarise the whole plot and dropped down from the level of excitement that the book contains.
But overall, I think 'Juggling with mandarins' was a great book club book and I would be interested to read another book written by V.M. Jones. I would recommend this book to ages 11 and over who would prefer a heartwarming and emotional story.
June 5, 2012
Juggling with mandarins is a classic book about Phillip (Pip)encountering different challenges and experiences. main characters sunch as Katie, Pip, Peter, and Pip's brother Nick, had each a part of there own chapter. The main point of the story was Pip had a passion in sport. Mainly, Soccer. His brother nick, was highly better than him, also played too. Pip's father, who was a rough soccer-player. always interfered in Pip's match, yelling at him day after day. As Pip's Father only cares about winning. So pip finds a hobby that he is talented in, not telling it about to his Father. As he wants to enjoy this, by-himself.
who knows who's gonna shout at him.
Mostly the characters has many talented traits, and personality that is rarely related to anyone else. The characters has many theories in the story.
the book overall was not to bad and not to good. I guess my favourite part of the book was the big soccer match. If I could change a part of the story, I'll choose the conclusion. The conclusion in this story didn't really summarise/sum up the whole story, so I thought the climate harshly fell. I found this a bit dissapointing.
If I were to recommend this book to someone,I'd choose someone who can UNDERSTAND a book really well. (I found this book kind of confusing)
who knows who's gonna shout at him.
Mostly the characters has many talented traits, and personality that is rarely related to anyone else. The characters has many theories in the story.
the book overall was not to bad and not to good. I guess my favourite part of the book was the big soccer match. If I could change a part of the story, I'll choose the conclusion. The conclusion in this story didn't really summarise/sum up the whole story, so I thought the climate harshly fell. I found this a bit dissapointing.
If I were to recommend this book to someone,I'd choose someone who can UNDERSTAND a book really well. (I found this book kind of confusing)
September 19, 2010
This is a really sweet coming-of-age story about Pip, thus named because his Mom's favorite author is Charles Dickens, and there are definite shades of "Great Expectations" running throughout! Pip is a boy who can't seem to please his overly-competitive father, and learns that he must please himself instead. It is a story about finding the thing that you love, and knowing why you're doing it. For Pip, that is rock-wall climbing, not soccer. Juggling is used as a challenge (real and metaphorical) to learn a new skill, to focus, and to stick with it for the right reasons. Pip's final realization about the differences between himself and his father are profound. There are some really wonderful themes to discuss with kids. I will be reading it to some students with the exception of one chapter, which is very funny but contains some inappropriate references for the age-group. I would recommend this book highly to eighth grade and above.
June 5, 2012
The book, Juggling with Mandarins, is a book which is about a boy named Pip who lives a life with his Mum, Dad, Brother (Nick) and his baby sister (she's in the middle of book).
Pip and his brother both play soccer but Pip isn't really into it. His dad is a type of person who wants to win, win and win by pushing Pip and the other players. But Nick, his big brother is an ace sportsman. He came out just like his dad wanted him to be.
Otherwise in the book, he likes to juggle mandarins but his dad doesn't let him but makes him play soccer. He also has a passion with Indoor Rock Climbing at the new sports stadium (The Igloo).
From my point of view, the book is an average book. I think the author should have specified some things for the reader to understand the end.
I would recommend this book to young and old mature readers and people who like to read realistic-fiction books.
Pip and his brother both play soccer but Pip isn't really into it. His dad is a type of person who wants to win, win and win by pushing Pip and the other players. But Nick, his big brother is an ace sportsman. He came out just like his dad wanted him to be.
Otherwise in the book, he likes to juggle mandarins but his dad doesn't let him but makes him play soccer. He also has a passion with Indoor Rock Climbing at the new sports stadium (The Igloo).
From my point of view, the book is an average book. I think the author should have specified some things for the reader to understand the end.
I would recommend this book to young and old mature readers and people who like to read realistic-fiction books.
June 20, 2024
Rating: 0.5/5★
I'm estimating the time I read this book, and it was in year 10. Holy fuck is all I can say. This book was the most boring as a novel study. It's literally just about the struggling relationship between the son and father. Honestly, many unnecessary factors could've just not been written in the book.
Yeah, don't read this. Thanks.
I'm estimating the time I read this book, and it was in year 10. Holy fuck is all I can say. This book was the most boring as a novel study. It's literally just about the struggling relationship between the son and father. Honestly, many unnecessary factors could've just not been written in the book.
Yeah, don't read this. Thanks.
June 28, 2016
This book is about a boy named Pip who's dad forces him into playing soccer,which is NOT Pips dream. Pip hates soccer. Meanwhile, at school his English teacher tells them that if someone learn show to juggle 3 ball in 3 weeks will receive a $3 tuck shop voucher. The book had a lot of positives in it but I mostly enjoyed how the book was layed out and the sequence the events happened in. I also enjoyed how the book expressed Pips feelings and described it in detail. The friendship between Katie and Pip is also very nice and I loved how close Katie and Pip were. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves reading!
August 31, 2024
Did we not have ACC in 2003? Surely if you're unable to work due to a work injury there'd be some sort of long term support...
~~~~~~~
Just listened to an audiobook version on National Radio. It was lovely, but after a bit I realised it was abridged. Yes, they kept what mattered, but they left out all the padding - the hilarious bit with Nick and the phone competition, and Trixie/Beattie's development, and some stuff with Rob and with Pip's mum. The narrator was excellent though. Always nice to hear a NZ accent.
~~~~~~~
Just listened to an audiobook version on National Radio. It was lovely, but after a bit I realised it was abridged. Yes, they kept what mattered, but they left out all the padding - the hilarious bit with Nick and the phone competition, and Trixie/Beattie's development, and some stuff with Rob and with Pip's mum. The narrator was excellent though. Always nice to hear a NZ accent.
May 29, 2015
We had to do this massive test on this book in english, at first I was not into it, but by about the pg 35 I wasen't just reading it for school but more for myself, this book was inspiring. love how it
paints the picture in your mind how its possibe if you put your mind to it, practice, try hard and when you have done that try harder you can do anything. the characters and literally the form of the book itself really grabs hold of the 'dont juge a book by its cover' thing. I adore this book.
paints the picture in your mind how its possibe if you put your mind to it, practice, try hard and when you have done that try harder you can do anything. the characters and literally the form of the book itself really grabs hold of the 'dont juge a book by its cover' thing. I adore this book.
March 16, 2011
1) it fits in a book written by a New Zealander.
2) my teacher recommended it to me.
3) how the main character is good at quite a lot of stuff.
4) it ended so quickly as soon as the book got very interesting at the end.
5) i recommend it to people over 9 because it has some hard words to understand.
2) my teacher recommended it to me.
3) how the main character is good at quite a lot of stuff.
4) it ended so quickly as soon as the book got very interesting at the end.
5) i recommend it to people over 9 because it has some hard words to understand.
December 21, 2015
This book was well written, and entertaining. The thing that I didn't like about this book was what happened between Pip and Katie. Yes, I know it's what happens in real life, but I hate the sadness of it! Other than that, a good book. I love how Pip discovered his gift; it made me laugh. And I love his brother's joke on his parents at the beginning of the book, lol. :)
October 13, 2013
A great coming of age novel that observes family dynamics, self-esteem and personal identity. Pip hates the way his dad yells and carries on at his football match, and while Pip is a talented soccer player, he resents that his older brother is better than he is.
A great story for boys (and girls) 12-15.
A great story for boys (and girls) 12-15.
January 5, 2013
This is the book that I read whenever I'm feeling down or scared or if I'm sick. I must have been through it about fifty times.
I suppose the appeal for me is how accurately V.M. Jones depicts the feelings of Pip. All the emotions seem real and believable.
One of my favourite books.
I suppose the appeal for me is how accurately V.M. Jones depicts the feelings of Pip. All the emotions seem real and believable.
One of my favourite books.
July 6, 2015
I decided to read this book as I thought it might make a great novel study for my year 7 class - and I was not wrong. I loved the way the author builds Pip as the story progresses, and makes the reader part of his development. My students also enjoyed the story (which is a bonus!)
December 23, 2008
We read it for school. It was good. I enjoyed it. I'm just sick of books we have to read about troubled teenage boys.
Read
January 22, 2009i liked this one, until i got the 3o something questionaire. I only dont like it because of the asignment
May 7, 2012
I thought the story was pretty good... but not as good as other books I have come across.
July 14, 2014
I enjoyed this story, of how Pip learns how he fits into life and begins growing in self confidence.
August 21, 2014
it was a very emanational story of how pip was growing up and facing challenges with his dad. His brother Nick is his dads boy. I really enjoyed this book.
August 2, 2023
A truly heartwarming story of growing up and finding yourself. I read this with my year 8 class, and it had us all on the edge of our seats at the end.
May 27, 2015
Nothing is coming up but I want to read it like seriously
Read
November 13, 2017This book was recommended to me by my Mum. She really wanted me to keep reading so she gave me this book to read. It crosses off the category 'recommended to you by a member of your family'. I often look at the books that my mum reads and i just laugh because they look so boring. I wasn't so sure about this book either. I ended up really enjoyed reading it over the holidays.
My Favourite character was Philips (the main characters) brother Nick. This is because he treats Philip like my brother treats me. I can feel how Philip feels but I would like to have the power once in a while. He is also really sporty and popular which makes him more of a friendlier person in my perspective.
"Philip McLeod, you did it! You won!" Is my favourite quote from the book. This is because it was when Philip had climbed to the top of the rock wall and wins the whole competition. Philip had been training for a long time and had finally beaten his rival.
In the book Philips Dad is very protective over his child, and wants him to become just like how he was. Fore filling his dads dream for him. Philip didn't want to do all of it so he stood up to his dad and told him. My dad isn't like this but if anyone in my life ever is like that to me I will tell them how I feel about it.
My Favourite character was Philips (the main characters) brother Nick. This is because he treats Philip like my brother treats me. I can feel how Philip feels but I would like to have the power once in a while. He is also really sporty and popular which makes him more of a friendlier person in my perspective.
"Philip McLeod, you did it! You won!" Is my favourite quote from the book. This is because it was when Philip had climbed to the top of the rock wall and wins the whole competition. Philip had been training for a long time and had finally beaten his rival.
In the book Philips Dad is very protective over his child, and wants him to become just like how he was. Fore filling his dads dream for him. Philip didn't want to do all of it so he stood up to his dad and told him. My dad isn't like this but if anyone in my life ever is like that to me I will tell them how I feel about it.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews