Nothing Ever Happens on 90th Street

by Roni Schotter, Kyrsten Brooker (Illustrator)

When Eva sits on her stoop trying to complete a school assignment by writing about what happens in her neighborhood, she gets a great deal of advice and action

Genres: Picture Books, Writing, Childrens, Fiction, School, Kids

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[CanadianReader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eva sits on the front stoop of her New York walk-up, a notebook perched on her lap and a cinnamon danish to fortify her at her side. Her teacher has instructed her to “write what you know”. That’s Eva’s problem: what she knows is that nothing ever happens on 90th Street. As she sits, though, neighbouring merchants, cooks, and artistic tenants emerge from buildings and shops. Seeing that she is writing, they offer her advice. The out-of-work actor, Mr. Sims, tells her: “All the world’s a stage” and each has his role; she needs to be attentive to the actors on the stage before her. Alexis Leora, a sad-faced dancer, who likes to do her warm-ups on the stoop stairs and sidewalk, suggests that she stretch her imagination. But it’s kind Mrs. Martinez, who offers her a bowl of her homemade soup, that really gets the ball rolling. “Spice it up!” she tells Eva. “Add a little action!” So Eva does—first to real life, then to her story.

To amuse a little boy being pushed in a stroller, Eva tosses pieces of her cinnamon bun to the pigeons. Mayhem ensues. The little boy drops his red ball, which rolls into the street, causing a cyclist to fall, and a traffic jam. The result? All the people who live, work, and walk on the sidewalks of 90th street get talking. There are a few little problems to be solved. Is the cyclist okay? What about the little boy’s ball—can it be retrieved? And what to do about the cat who has leaped from his human’s arms?

In the end, of course, the problems are solved, and Eva has it all down on paper for posterity. Who said nothing ever happens on 90th Street?!

Schotter’s lively picture book with its angular off-kilter illustrations is a kind of kids’ guide to making it happen in writing and in life. The book appears on many lists of recommended books for language arts. I understand why: it is fast-paced; it has colourful, distinctive characters; the vocabulary is rich and sophisticated; and, finally, it gives some good advice to young writers.

It’s not exactly my type of picture book, as it feels just a bit too contrived and educational. Nevertheless, I can see that it would have its uses, and it is well done for the sort of book it is.

Rating: 3.5

[Eunice · Rating 3 out of 5]

The storyline for this book emerges from the creative mind of young Eva who has to write about her neighborhood for a school assignment. As Eva begins to write, she is uninspired because nothing ever happens in her neighborhood. As the day unfolds, Eva is given ideas from her neighbors to help her with her writing assignment. That advice, along with a series of unexpected and exciting events (with a few embellishments) leads Eva to write an action packed story about her neighborhood. I think that thins book would be appropriate for K-3rd grade. I would use it as a mentor text to show students how to create interesting characters and use a variety of adjectives in their writing. There is also many examples of alliteration throughout the text. Many students hate the revision process, so I would also use this book to help students to see that, similar to Eva, good writers often revise their writing.

This book is a NCTE Notable Trade Book Award winner. It has been reviewed by Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal and Kirkus Reviews.

[Kris Dersch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, it's contrived and written to teach kids how to write. It's a little too easy, and fits together a little too well even for the world of a picture book.
Know what? I don't care. Kids who live in neighborhoods like Eva's, and there are lots of them, don't get to see neighborhoods like theirs enough. This is a city block filled with real people, illustrated beautifully, and the bottom line is I wish there were more books like this one. I was delighted to discover this book is still in print.
Featured on No Extra Words Episode 103

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book which I like so much.

The illustration is dynamic and it is entertaining to read. The picture book can be a useful too to teach students how to turn mundane everyday rountines into an interesting story.

The story starts with a little girl called Eva who lived on 90th Street and perplexed about what to write for her writing assignment. She groaned that her daily life was too peaceful to be written down. Her neighbours - a fishmonger, an actor, a mousse maker, a dancer, a cook, a housewife, a pizza man - gave her advices on how to get inspiration, embellish the ideas and write fabulously. Here's a summary of the tips from the story:

1. The world is a stage. Observe people carefully and pay attention to details.
2. Find the poetry in your object- there's always a new way with old words. (eg. similes)
3. Use your imagination to stretch the truth. (eg. what if? ... as if ..., romance, happy ending,etc.)
4. Spice up a story with surprises to make it more wonderful. (eg. add a little action, make something happen, dialogues, suspense, etc.)

The story turns into a melodrama when it ends with a twist and chaos. The pizza man falls in love with a dancer at the first sight and a superstar's unexpected visit marks an interesting ending for the tale. People who had never spoken to one another mingled and 90th Street became 'Home of Great Ideas'.

Of course, Eva wrote a wonderful piece of story.

[Forever Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eva creates a tale about the "nothing" happening in her neighborhood by taking advice from people she knows. Each character offers a different suggestion for how to make writing better.

Some excellent examples of characterization, description, alliteration, dialogue and plot development. This book links to a lesson on WritingFix about using the characters' suggested techniques to write a story with quality details. Here's the link: http://writingfix.com/Picture_Book_Pr...

There's also a lesson using the same book as a lesson on revision of a "nothing happening" paragraph. Here's the link: http://writingfix.com/process/Revisio...

[Alicia Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for students to read. They learn an important lesson about writers block and learn how to relate the story to a concept. The story helps with language development for students as well.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

if you thought kids books were bad books... read this. you will never think that again

[JTownsend · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing Ever Happens on 90th Street was suprisingly entertaining as readers follow Eva and her neighbors who live on 90th street. Eva is struggling to find an inspiration of what to write about (we have all been there before) and as she starts to write about the every day events. As she analyzes the world around her, Eva recogonizes that it is the small details and routines that mean the most.

The book ends
" What an amazing day!" Mrs. Martinez said. " Who would believe it? If only someone had written it all down."

" I did Eva announced, and she opened her notebook and began to read her story the same story you're reading now) about how nothing every happened of 90th Street.

I enjoyed the circular construct of the book, but because it is verbose for a children's book, I think it would be better for older children. It was actually recommended to me at a writing conference I attended as a mentor text, which is how I ended up with a copy. I think that in this capiticty it is a strong book, but it is not a novel that I would pick up to read to a child as a pleasure choice.

[Taylor Brickley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a girl who was assigned a writing prompt by her teacher. This prompt was "write about what you know". The girl sat on her door step and looked over 90th street, and she struggled writing because she thought nothing ever happened on 90th street. Over the course of a few minutes she realized that a lot of stuff happens on 90th street and that she could stretch the truth to make it more interesting. I liked this book because the characters all had bold personalities and the illustrations were colorful and creative. I would use this book in my classroom as a writing workshop book. I believe this book can jog children's minds and help them know that there is always something to write about and that you can always stretch the truth to make your writing more appealing.

[Maddi Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing Ever Happens on 90th Street is a story about a girl named Eva. She has been given a writing assignment but is having trouble coming up with ideas. She decides to sit outside and observe her town and the people around her. However, she repeats "nothing ever happens on 90th street." Several people give her advice and writing tips. Eventually, she is able to write a very creative and silly story involving the little details that surround her every day.

I thought this story was very imaginative and could be a good book to read during writing block. I would recommend it to elementary-aged students (grades 3-5).

[Amy Dugan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book for teaching ideas for the writing process. Take each characters advise as a mentor text for the week. The book will get the students looking around for the inspiration they see everyday, instead of the "great amusement park trip" or the "best field trip ever." By learning to observe the small details around them, they create authentic stories about their experiences - not what they think people want to read.

[Tracy Holland · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Nothing ever happens...," a mantra heard around the world by young writers, becomes the start of a story by a young writer as she traverses her neighborhood looking for a good lead.

This would be a great story for starting off young writers in a journal. Definite use for the first day of school.

[Barbara Mittelstadt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story about a community. A girl thinks she has nothing to write about, but when she takes in all that is going on around her, she realizes that she has a lot to write about. Helps kids think about the craft that goes into writing.

[Jennifer Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent mentor text for creative writing. In the book, four of her neighbors give Eva, the main character, pieces of advice about good writing. The story itself is engaging and unfolds delightful. ☺️

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eva sits down to write but laments that nothing ever happens on her street, 90th st. However, she begins to take a look around and finds that may not be true. A fun picture book about finding inspiration in every day life.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing Ever Happens on 90th Street (Paperback)
by Roni Schotter
I found this in a third grade class.
the story shows the nature of writing, how events that seem ordinary can be amazing. the story shows how we can change our perception if we change our focus.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very clever!

[Sara Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great way to show students how to imagine yourself into a fantastic story right in your own "boring" neighborhood.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A longer story that will help children with writing.

[Bella Herrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a cute story that was based around a crazy chain of reactions that happen on a boring street. This book is full of fun illustrations.

[Roger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I borrowed this tonight from the Little Free Library down the street. In the middle of the first page, I realized I loved it. What a fun story and vocabulary-stretcher, in a great urban setting!

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

okay

loved this

so cute and refreshing

very interesting
love the characters and the plot
definitely recommend :)

[Sophia Gesser]

ELA

[Zane Barnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun Story about writing Stories

[Sandra Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great story to get students thinking about writing. A girl is asked to write for her class. As she sits on the steps on 90th street different people greet her and give her writing advice such as: notice the details, add poetry, stretch your imagination, add spice to it by asking "What if?". This will definitely be a book I use in my class to get students excited about writing!

[Forgetfulone · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an awesome book to use to encourage young writers that they do have a story to tell. They will no longer be able to say, "Nothing happens in my life worth writing about." Whether you are focusing on figurative language, word choice, ideas, or just getting something on the paper, this book should do the trick.

[Garstka Third · Rating 4 out of 5]

People shouldn’t feel lonely. Alexis Leaora falls in love. This shows the author thinks you shouldn’t feel lonely. This means Alexis Leaora is a big person in the book and this helps support my thesis.Everyone thought she was lonely but she was not. For example when Eva said Alexis was lonely but she was wrong.Eva thought herself was lonely but she had a lot of friends. Including everyone in the book. For the fact Eva doesn’t even notice that she has friends she is showing that she does not feel it! She has many friends.You can clearly see she feels lonely. This is evidence.


Eva has a friendly type of character trait. She is friends with everyone in the book and doesn’t even notice. Another reason is when she listens to everyone's ideas for a better book. She includes everyone too. She puts everyone in her book. For example she listens to everyone's ideas.


The theme of Nothing Ever Happens on 90th Street is there is always action in life. For example she can’t find anything to write about but at the end she did. Eva wrote the book herself and she didn’t even notice or find the faith in her.She is showing disrespect to herself. That is not safe. Sometimes this can be action. Also,Mrs.Martinez said it herself! Such a little thing had a big clue in the theme! All of these are made for others to enjoy. I know it!

[Lu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute story about a girl learning to write a story. Filled with great advice for writers of any age. 🫶

The illustrations are very interesting. They look almost like they were scrapbooked together in parts. The character designs reminds me a little of Strega Nona and a little of Tim Burton. 🫶

The parts I liked are:

P. 4
“You are mistaken,, my dear,” Mr Sims said. “The whole world’s a stage - even 90th street - and each of us plays a part. Watch the stage, observe the players carefully, and don’t neglect the details,” he said striking Olivier. “Follow an old actor’s advice and you will have plenty to write about.

P. 6
“Try to find the poetry in your pudding,” Mr. Morley said softly. “There’s always a new way with old words.”

P. 9
“Stretch,” she said sadly. “Use your imagination. If your story doesn’t go the way you want it to, you can always stretch the truth. You can ask, ‘what if?’ and make up a better story.”

P. 10
“Add a little action,” Mrs. Martinez said. “Like soup. A little this. A little that. And don’t forget the spice. Mix it. Stir it. Make something happen. Surprise yourself!”

P. 15
“Yes,” said the pizza man, smiling up at her. It was love at first sight. Pepperoni and peppers rained down on the happy couple. The pizza man pulled a pepper out of his hair as horns began to honk.

P.29
“What a story!” Sondra exclaimed. “Full of detail. Dialogue. Suspense. A bit of poetry. A hint of romance. Even a happy ending. Why, you almost think some of it was made up!”

Eva smiled mysteriously. “Thanks,” she said, proudly. “But just wait. It’ll be even better… after I rewrite it.”

P. 31
Home of great ideas

[Levonne Gigger · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing Ever Happens on 90th Street by Roni Schotter is a delightful story that many people can relate to: Eva feels like there is nothing particularly special about the place she calls home. When given an assignment to write about what she knows Eva struggles to find anything worthwhile to write about. The reoccurring anthem ensues: Nothing Ever Happens on 90th Street. What will Eva ever find to write about?

The author makes good use of tension, voice, words, beginning and ending. The choice of words and voice are notable in this story because the author has used a lot of natural dialogue. The tension, beginning and ending are entwined as the author pulls us in from the very beginning: "Eva unwrapped a cinnamon Danish, opened her notebook, and stared helplessly at the wide, white pages. 'Write about what you know'..." This is the conflict that is visited intentionally with each page and the reader is successfully appeased with an ending to the conflict.

This book can be used for teaching how to read with feeling. This would be a book that you can assign different children as the characters and others as the narrator. The students can really grasp how to use voice through this exercise. Another use for this book is the application of how to find writing inspiration in the everyday things and people we encounter.

[Alexandria Stephens]

Nothing Ever Happens on 90th Street is a story about a young girl named Eva who is asked to write about her home. Eva encounters writers block and believes there is nothing special about her home, so she has nothing to write about. Eva struggles to find the beauty in 90th street, and wonders if she will ever find anything to write about. This book can really be an aid when teaching about voice. Each story should have its own voice. Readers should be able to hear the voice in the characters. Roni Schotter uses an interesting word choice in order to convey the voice of Eva. This book can also be used when writers feel as though there is nothing to write about.