Boss of the Pool

by Robin Klein

Gr 3-5 Shelley's mother, a single parent, takes a job in a hostel for mentally or physically handicapped people. Rather than leave Shelley home alone evenings, she insists that Shelley accompany her to her job. Shelley is furious and spends most of her time pouting and saying nasty things about the residents. She is particularly disgusted by the attentions of a young mentally retarded boy, Ben, who follows her around worshipfully. Eventually, in spite of herself, Shelley helps Ben overcome his terrible fear of the water and teaches him to swim. Shelley is not a sympathetic charactershe's sulky, whiney, and mean-spirited. Although readers are expected to witness her transformation, all that Klein shows are tears in Shelley's eyes when she sees Ben swim after giving him a new bathing suit and a swimming medal. Line drawings are uninspired. Despite Klein's good intentions, this book is just too dreary to be enjoyable. Janet DiGianni, North Andover High School, Mass.Copyright 1988 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Young Adult, 20th Century

80 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

Winner of the Dromkeen Medal (1991).

Robin Klein was born 28 February 1936 in Kempsey, New South Wales into a family of nine children. Leaving school at age 15, Klein worked several jobs before becoming established as a writer, having her first story published at age 16. She would go on to write more than 40 books, including Hating Alison Ashley (adapted into a feature film starring Delta Goodrem in 2005), Halfway Across the Galaxy and Turn Left (adapted into a television series for the Seven Network in 1992), and Came Back to Show You I Could Fly (adapted into a film directed by Richard Lowenstein in 1993).

Klein’s books are hugely celebrated, having won the CBCA Children’s Book of the Year Award in both the Younger Readers and the Older Readers categories, as well as a Human Rights Award for Literature in 1989 for Came Back to Show You I Could Fly. Klein is widely considered one of Australia’s most prolific and beloved YA authors.

Reviews

[Chinchilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one fo the few books on this earth that made me cry. The messages contained in the book really hit home to me. A must-read.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book that explores young peoples attitudes towards people with disabilities. It also challenges the main character, Shelley as to what is important in a friendship.

The way the relationship between Shelley and Ben, a boy who has Down syndrome, progressed from one of annoyance to one of pride and understanding.

Robin Klein uses this text to explain many levels of relationships.

[Carol Keenan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this is a child.

It’s interesting how language changes and grows, alongside our growth as a people.

The terms and phrases in here have dated, but they mean no offence. The learning curve that we see in the main character reflects us all, as a community.

[Samantha · Rating 1 out of 5]

NOPE

[yas 🍓 · Rating 5 out of 5]

i read this in year 8 for english but i think abt it all the time tbh

[Mella · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was part of my class's reading time in Grade 2. Two decades on and I still remember how uncomfortable and sad this book made me feel. Shelley is horrible to begin with and she treats Ben appallingly. I remember being torn between understanding and not quite understanding how she could be so mean. This book deals with some very important issues surrounding disabilities and the way we treat ourselves and others. And it's relevant even more so today. The friendship that develops between them is sweet but it is hard won and it really makes you feel for the struggles Ben suffers. I can't say I liked this book, but even as an 8 year old I remember thinking it was important. 4 stars.

[Sally · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't particularly care for either of the main characters, so while I do love to swim, this book just didn't appeal a lot to me.

[Mrs Child · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always a good read.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

nothing

[Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though this is a very short story, it still touches your heart as you really connect to the characters and you learn that beauty is always within!