A Little Demonstration of Affection

by Elizabeth Winthrop

During one special summer of surprising changes, thirteen-year-old Jenny experiences an unexpectedly close relationship with her older brother Charley

Genres: Fiction

152 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1975

About the author

ELIZABETH WINTHROP ALSOP (www.elizabethwinthropalsop.com), is the author of over sixty works of fiction for all ages, including ISLAND JUSTICE and IN MY MOTHER'S HOUSE, both available as e-books.

DAUGHTER OF SPIES: Wartime Secrets, Family Lies, her memoir about her parents' love affair during World War II and her own childhood in 1950s Washington as the daughter of a famous journalist, will be published October 25, 2022 by Regal House.

Her short story, The Golden Darters, was selected by Best American Short Stories by Robert Stone and was recently read on SELECTED SHORTS by the renowned actress, Ann Dowd. She is the author of the memoir piece, Don't Knock Unless You're Bleeding; Growing Up in Cold War Washington.The daughter of Stewart Alsop, the political journalist, she divides her time between New York City and the Berkshires.

Her historical novel, COUNTING ON GRACE was chosen as a Notable Book of the Year by the American Library Association, the National Council of Social Studies, the International Reading Association and the Children’s Book Council among others. The novel has also been nominated for state book awards in Vermont, Virginia, Kentucky, Kansas, Missouri,Indiana, Hawaii and Arizona.

THE CASTLE IN THE ATTIC and its sequel, THE BATTLE FOR THE CASTLE, were nominated for twenty-three state book awards and are considered children’s fantasy classics.

Her popular picture books include DUMPY LA RUE, SHOES,DOG SHOW, SQUASHED IN THE MIDDLE and most recently, THE FIRST CHRISTMAS STOCKING and THE BIGGEST PARADE. Two of her recent books for older children are THE RED-HOT RATTOONS, a comic fantasy novel and DEAR MR. PRESIDENT, Letters from a Milltown Girl, a work of historical fiction set in western Massachusetts.

For more information, www.elizabethwinthrop.com

Reviews

[Lindsay Heller · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was sort of a strange book. I feel like I keep randomly picking up books that belong on my strange-familial-relations shelf. This was a super quick read, which was part of the reason I picked it up in the first place, but it sort of read as part cautionary tale and part pleasant little yarn.

Jenny has never been close to her brother, Charley. He's the bookish one who suffers from asthma and would rather be writing in his notebook than playing outside. She gets along much better with the eldest, John. But John's growing up and no longer want to hang out with his little sister. When John goes away for the summer and Charley's dog dies the two remaining siblings realize they have the capacity to be friends.

So, yeah, Jenny sort of develops a crush on Charley. But it's not really all that creepy, the crush is all but innocent. This book is really more about getting priorities in order and figuring out feelings when young. In some way it was a little sweet. In other ways very easy to look at and say "What the fuck?" But then again, after reading 'Ada, or Ardor' earlier this year I'm not sqweemed out by much.

Jenny and Charley often discuss how strange it is that their parents never show affection in front of them. They never touch, and thus the children have never been shown that it's okay to touch. So, there it is parents; demonstrate affection or your kids run the risk of not being able to tell the difference between sibling and romantic love.

But, really, this book was pretty good. I wouldn't say it's essential reading but it's sort of brave to tackle this sort of potentially confusing issue.

[thea · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute yet touching fiction about an odd and controversial subject many children might've faced/experienced in the path of reaching adulthood. It is bittersweet from the beginning to the end - and I often find myself on the brink of tears.

[Bookworm Kid · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a very strange story with weird elements, but there's a very valuable lesson on affection to learn about in this novel.