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My Brother Stevie
An unmanageable younger brother makes life difficult for his sister until a sympathetic school teacher befriends and helps them both. A story true to inner city conditions, movingly told.
- GenresChildrens
96 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1967
About the author
Eleanor Clymer
60 books14 followersEleanor Clymer (née Lowenton; January 7, 1906 – March 31, 2001), was a writer of children's books, best known for The Trolley Car Family (1947). She graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1928 with a degree in English. Between the years of 1943 and 1983 she published 58 books, including The Tiny Little House, My Brother Stevie, and Hamburgers–and Ice Cream for Dessert.
Clymer was born in New York City, the daughter of Russian immigrants. Through much of her life she was a resident of Katonah, New York and an active member of the nearby Unitarian Universalist fellowship. In 1980 she was awarded the Rip Van Winkle award by the School Library Media Specialists of Southeastern New York for outstanding contributions to children's literature.
Her son, Adam Clymer, was a journalist with The New York Times. Clymer died in 2001 at the age of 95 in Haverford, Pennsylvania.
Clymer was born in New York City, the daughter of Russian immigrants. Through much of her life she was a resident of Katonah, New York and an active member of the nearby Unitarian Universalist fellowship. In 1980 she was awarded the Rip Van Winkle award by the School Library Media Specialists of Southeastern New York for outstanding contributions to children's literature.
Her son, Adam Clymer, was a journalist with The New York Times. Clymer died in 2001 at the age of 95 in Haverford, Pennsylvania.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 9, 2015
Read this over and over again as a child; should re-read it to find out what really happened.
February 14, 2015
“Siblings on a Mission”
Twelve-year-old Annie lives with her crabby Grandma in the Project in a big city. She often resents the fact (but obeys the maternal charge which her departing mother gave her) was to take care of her little brother. Does this mean for life already? She does her best but resents having to sacrifice time with her own friends to supervise an unruly little kid of 8 ½ who always gets into trouble—at home, at school and by hanging out with street-tough kids who throw rocks at passing trains from the rooftop. Naturally she feels overwhelmed at times.
Clymer’s 1967 story—set against a backdrop of urban poverty and
juvenile crime—focuses on several serious themes: parental neglect, hanging with the wrong sort, unnatural dependence on a compassionate teacher, a seemingly callous grandmother, the death of an aged relative, and the benefits of loving foster care. Despite being dated by the ridiculously low prices given, the book compares life in the Project with seemingly idyllic rural countryside; thus Annie learns to appreciate both contrasting environments.
This first person narrative presents a young protagonist who relates her big adventure and coming-of-age, as it were, in an easy, my-diary, conversational tone. Desperate to stop Stevie’s downward spiral of misbehavior and petty crime Annie conceives a bold plan to hopefully straighten him out—and coincidentally bring him to respect trains and their passengers: an odyssey to the country, to find his beloved teacher and her dog. She doesn’t realize that he is lucky to have a sister who loves him, who cares deeply about him and his future. But how can a motherless girl hope to fill the empty places in both their lives? This is a thought-provoking read for learning about nurturing, mainly for girls 11-14.
NB: The meals described lack green or healthy vegetables.
February 14, 2015
Twelve-year-old Annie lives with her crabby Grandma in the Project in a big city. She often resents the fact (but obeys the maternal charge which her departing mother gave her) was to take care of her little brother. Does this mean for life already? She does her best but resents having to sacrifice time with her own friends to supervise an unruly little kid of 8 ½ who always gets into trouble—at home, at school and by hanging out with street-tough kids who throw rocks at passing trains from the rooftop. Naturally she feels overwhelmed at times.
Clymer’s 1967 story—set against a backdrop of urban poverty and
juvenile crime—focuses on several serious themes: parental neglect, hanging with the wrong sort, unnatural dependence on a compassionate teacher, a seemingly callous grandmother, the death of an aged relative, and the benefits of loving foster care. Despite being dated by the ridiculously low prices given, the book compares life in the Project with seemingly idyllic rural countryside; thus Annie learns to appreciate both contrasting environments.
This first person narrative presents a young protagonist who relates her big adventure and coming-of-age, as it were, in an easy, my-diary, conversational tone. Desperate to stop Stevie’s downward spiral of misbehavior and petty crime Annie conceives a bold plan to hopefully straighten him out—and coincidentally bring him to respect trains and their passengers: an odyssey to the country, to find his beloved teacher and her dog. She doesn’t realize that he is lucky to have a sister who loves him, who cares deeply about him and his future. But how can a motherless girl hope to fill the empty places in both their lives? This is a thought-provoking read for learning about nurturing, mainly for girls 11-14.
NB: The meals described lack green or healthy vegetables.
February 14, 2015
February 20, 2019
This book is one of about ten that I remember really affecting me when I was a kid - in 4th grade maybe? I was so curious about how it ended that I went and found it on eBay... like the little house on the prairie books and the wolves of willoughby chase, it didn’t hold up to my memory of it. Still, it’ll always hold a place in my heart!
I also remember thinking it was really cool at the time that she never says what race the kids are and wouldn’t allow the publishers to use illustrations beyond outlines and shadows because she wanted each reader to be able to picture themselves.
I also remember thinking it was really cool at the time that she never says what race the kids are and wouldn’t allow the publishers to use illustrations beyond outlines and shadows because she wanted each reader to be able to picture themselves.
January 27, 2012
I found this book by chance in the grade school library and it helped me get through hard times. I related to the young troubled boy character. It was my very first book that I ever did a book report on. I'm giving it 5 stars cuz of the warm feelings I get looking back on it, as every great book should.
September 15, 2021
When I was a girl this story resonated with me on such a deep level. The circumstances the older sister was in made her responsible for more than her young shoulders were ever meant to bear. Still she bore it up with courage and determination. What a beautifully told story. Believable in every way. Siblings so often are asked to take on more responsibility for raising the younger ones than is right, and this story relates the experience of an over burdened older sister with dignity. Great read for kids.
October 10, 2017
Read this book as a child. I've never forgotten it and will read it anytime I find it. Some stories just follow you through life, this is one of them.
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January 8, 2023Decent little story that I found in an 80s reprint.
April 2, 2012
My brother Stevie by Eleanor Lowenton Clymer. This book is appropriate is girls and boys ages 8-10 years old. I think it is a very well written book for all young readers, particularly intermediate level. The story is very good as a short book but full of emotions. It is about two characters, Annie and Stevie, whose mother passes away, leaving the two children alone in life. Annie knows that her brother Stevie is a trouble maker but her mother made her promise to take care of him. The author discussed that which is good for one and how to go about overcoming tribulations; there are constant troubles coming up in different times throughout the story. A wild younger brother makes life difficult for his sister until a considerate school teacher befriends and helps them both. The main characters are Stevie, Annie, Grandma, and Miss Stover. Miss Stover helped Stevie to be more polite to Annie and teach them what is best. I really think young readers will enjoy this book because of its length, design, and context. I believe the story is close to every day, real-life circumstances across different cultures, for many children have to face or deal with similar issues. The book provides young readers a brief summary of a real life story. The important facet about this book is that children will be able to relate to the character because it’s very universal; many movies even covered the same dilemma. I highly recommend this book for all readers.
September 7, 2016
great story about a two kid that his mother ran away, father died and has to live with there grandma.
then then a teacher comes and helps the little kid(how is a boy in 3 grade)and then helps him change.
But she leaves and the other kid named Annie takes him to see her.
you can see that this little boy turns from a trouble maker to a normal as they can get, 3 grader.
he changes so much and never would have guessed but he threw rocks at trains! but he loves trains!
It's a great book if your starting to read again. It has the sad parts, the advatures, and the teacher how helped the little boy.
then then a teacher comes and helps the little kid(how is a boy in 3 grade)and then helps him change.
But she leaves and the other kid named Annie takes him to see her.
you can see that this little boy turns from a trouble maker to a normal as they can get, 3 grader.
he changes so much and never would have guessed but he threw rocks at trains! but he loves trains!
It's a great book if your starting to read again. It has the sad parts, the advatures, and the teacher how helped the little boy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 23, 2012
Quick read but rightly so. It is a childrens book. 3.8 reading level. I read this as a child. Then I thought the children were African American. It had a different cover then. When I got the book it had a different cover and the children were white. I was surprised. It was a pleasent read.
April 29, 2017
After Annie and Stevie's father died, their mother ran off leaving the kids with their grandmother. The mother told Annie to take care of her brother. Annie takes that burden literally and feels responsible for Stevie. Stevie runs with an older crowd and gets in a lot of trouble at school. Then Miss Stover comes to teach Stevie's class. She helps Stevie and Annie, too.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews