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Bradford Street Buddies
Bradford Street Buddies: Backyard Camp-Out
The backyard campout is tonight. Jada and Jamal Perkins have never slept in a tent before. Neither have their best friends, Carlita Garcia and Josh Cornell. Camping is going to be so much fun. Or is it? It’s really dark in the backyard. And what’s that noise? It’s coming from the bushes. Crunch! Crunch! Crunch! Scrunch! Scrunch! Scrunch! Will an unexpected visitor ruin the Bradford Street Buddies campout under the stars? Grab a flashlight and find out in this neighborhood adventure.
48 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 20, 2016
This is a review of both Bradford Street Buddies: Block Party Surprise and Backyard Camp-Out.
These new easy readers published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt star a diverse cast of neighbors: Jada and Jamal Perkins, who are twins, and their friends Carlita Garcia and Josh Cornell. Together, the Bradford Street Buddies have everyday childhood experiences and solve problems around their block.
In Block Party Surprise, the kids help Mr. Perkins solve the problem of how to transport a special surprise from his house to the block party. In Backyard Camp-Out, the kids plan to sleep outside in a tent, but they are spooked by a noise in the bushes. These books are not much different from series like Iris and Walter and Henry and Mudge, but the appealing illustrations cause them to stand out as compared with another new series, Confetti Kids, which is similar in content, but not as strongly written or illustrated. Since there are few multicultural easy readers out there, most libraries will probably want to purchase these. They will also please kids who like stories about everyday people doing everyday things in familiar places.
These new easy readers published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt star a diverse cast of neighbors: Jada and Jamal Perkins, who are twins, and their friends Carlita Garcia and Josh Cornell. Together, the Bradford Street Buddies have everyday childhood experiences and solve problems around their block.
In Block Party Surprise, the kids help Mr. Perkins solve the problem of how to transport a special surprise from his house to the block party. In Backyard Camp-Out, the kids plan to sleep outside in a tent, but they are spooked by a noise in the bushes. These books are not much different from series like Iris and Walter and Henry and Mudge, but the appealing illustrations cause them to stand out as compared with another new series, Confetti Kids, which is similar in content, but not as strongly written or illustrated. Since there are few multicultural easy readers out there, most libraries will probably want to purchase these. They will also please kids who like stories about everyday people doing everyday things in familiar places.
June 1, 2016
Similar to Henry and Mudge, but with an African American family and multicultural neighborhood. Great addition for beginning readers.
June 1, 2016
I like the cast of characters. I thought the plot line went in too many directions, which could be confusing for some readers.
February 19, 2017
When the Perkins clean out their garage, they stumble upon an old tent. Mrs. Perkins promises a backyard camp-out if the twins finish the garage job. But, before they can roast their marshmallows, they have to investigate the noise in the bushes. This book is full of pictures to help young readers comprehend context. This Level 3 Green Light Readers book is the second in the Bradford Street Buddies series. Its short chapters, yet richer vocabulary are perfect for readers in grades 1-3.
This book is also perfect for reading after recess to a large group, one chapter a day. It introduces students to the series and to chapter books. An activity that can be incorporated during the reading could be to turn lights off in the classroom and allow children to operate flashlights for the concluding chapter.
On the fifth day, students can go on a scavenger hunt in the building in small groups and use simple clues to find ingredients for a s'mores trail mix: bite-size granola, mini marshmallows, and chocolate chips. This activity adds a level to teaching pedagogy by connecting the story to a real-life moment, allowing children the opportunity to use critical thinking to solve clues, and enhancing social skills by use of teamwork to solve clues.
An app that supports literacy and opens the world to new adventures is meegenius.com. It offers 700+ books for children ages 2-8. Children can either choose to have the story read aloud to them with highlighted text or they can read by themselves. The app is free and is available for iOS or Android. Book purchases range from $1-5.
This book is also perfect for reading after recess to a large group, one chapter a day. It introduces students to the series and to chapter books. An activity that can be incorporated during the reading could be to turn lights off in the classroom and allow children to operate flashlights for the concluding chapter.
On the fifth day, students can go on a scavenger hunt in the building in small groups and use simple clues to find ingredients for a s'mores trail mix: bite-size granola, mini marshmallows, and chocolate chips. This activity adds a level to teaching pedagogy by connecting the story to a real-life moment, allowing children the opportunity to use critical thinking to solve clues, and enhancing social skills by use of teamwork to solve clues.
An app that supports literacy and opens the world to new adventures is meegenius.com. It offers 700+ books for children ages 2-8. Children can either choose to have the story read aloud to them with highlighted text or they can read by themselves. The app is free and is available for iOS or Android. Book purchases range from $1-5.
March 4, 2024
First time ever camp-out for the delightful Bradford Street Buddies: A backyard camp-out still counts.
Every childhood has its highlight moments, akin to seeing a summertime firefly light up. I love how this series of "Green Light Readers" allows readers to share the wonderful close friendship of these four children. Having such a friendship is so special, and then there's the wonder of First Time Ever experiences. Just like this little backyard camp-out.
- Jada and Jamal are sister and brother.
- Carlita Garcia and Josh Cornell are already good friends.
- And now all four of them are friends. Going camping!
Listen for the sound effects on Page 36, along with the exceptionally gorgeous illustrations:
Crunch! Crunch! Crunch!
Scrunch! Scrunch! Scrunch!
Will that mystery be solved???
May the thrill of life keep bringing joy for these characters... and also for the readers who love to read about Jada, Jamal, Carlita, and Josh. Totally a FIVE STAR book!
Every childhood has its highlight moments, akin to seeing a summertime firefly light up. I love how this series of "Green Light Readers" allows readers to share the wonderful close friendship of these four children. Having such a friendship is so special, and then there's the wonder of First Time Ever experiences. Just like this little backyard camp-out.
- Jada and Jamal are sister and brother.
- Carlita Garcia and Josh Cornell are already good friends.
- And now all four of them are friends. Going camping!
Listen for the sound effects on Page 36, along with the exceptionally gorgeous illustrations:
Crunch! Crunch! Crunch!
Scrunch! Scrunch! Scrunch!
Will that mystery be solved???
May the thrill of life keep bringing joy for these characters... and also for the readers who love to read about Jada, Jamal, Carlita, and Josh. Totally a FIVE STAR book!
October 20, 2021
I appreciate this diverse realistic fiction series about siblings, friends, and neighbors. Each book contains short chapters and full color images, and they can be read in any order. Next read Charlie & Mouse or Fort Builders, Inc.
December 16, 2018
12/16/2018 ~ Family working together, adults & kids getting together for neighborhood activities, an appealing mystery, a range of ethnicities/races represented. I will probably be adding this series to my elementary library.
October 9, 2019
A fantastic beginning reader chapter book for ages 7-10. A good diverse representation of main characters, both girls and boys in a party of four. Fun camping adventure with a mystery included.
March 22, 2020
I like when they find Daisy.
July 24, 2016
It took Christopher several weeks to finish Bradford Street Buddies: Backyard Camp-Out, but he finally did it. We counted it as a "Book with 4 Chapters". This series is great for young readers because while it's a chapter book, the whole thing is illustrated.
One family is cleaning out their garage and finds an old tent, so the kids decide they want to camp in the backyard. They invite their friends to join them, but they're busy looking for a missing cat. They all join in the hunt and find the missing cat. The actual camp-out never happens at the end, which sort of annoyed me. But otherwise, we enjoyed this one.
http://www.momsradius.com/2016/07/juv...
One family is cleaning out their garage and finds an old tent, so the kids decide they want to camp in the backyard. They invite their friends to join them, but they're busy looking for a missing cat. They all join in the hunt and find the missing cat. The actual camp-out never happens at the end, which sort of annoyed me. But otherwise, we enjoyed this one.
http://www.momsradius.com/2016/07/juv...
February 10, 2016
Really liked this. Adorable illustrations. Writing seems a bit below level, but it's good to have a strong African American family featured so positively and with a good multi-cultural cast to back them up.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews