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  • Amber Brown Is Not a Crayon (Amber Brown Graphic Novel)

Amber Brown Is Not a Crayon
(Amber Brown Graphic Novel)

Author
Paula Danziger
Illustrator
Victoria Ying
Publication Date
May 21, 2024
Genre / Grade Band
Fiction /  2nd − 3rd
Language
English
Format
Graphic Novel
Amber Brown Is Not a Crayon (Amber Brown Graphic Novel)
Description

A heartwarming re-introduction to Paula Danziger’s beloved character Amber Brown, in a fresh new graphic novel format.

 

Third graders Amber Brown and Justin Daniels have been best friends since the day they first met in preschool. How great of a team are they? Amber helps Justin with spelling, and Justin helps Amber with her fractions. They have tons of inside jokes and hang out together after school every day—that’s just how it’s always been.

 

But when Justin finds out his family is moving away, everything starts to feel different. Amber gets sad whenever she thinks about Justin leaving, and Justin seems overwhelmed by all the changes to come. Can the two besties figure out a way to say goodbye that will keep their friendship strong, no matter how far apart they are?

Publication date
May 21, 2024
Genre
Fiction
ISBN-13
9780593615690
Lexile Measure
690
Publisher
G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Series
Amber Brown Graphic Novel
BISAC categories
JUV039060 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Friendship
JUV019000 - Juvenile Fiction | Humorous Stories
JUV013020 - Juvenile Fiction | Family | Marriage & Divorce
JUV008110 - Juvenile Fiction | Comics & Graphic Novels | Humorous
Library of Congress categories
Friendship
Schools
Friendship in children
Graphic novels
Moving, Household
Cartoons and comics
Graphic novel adaptations
Brown, Amber

School Library Journal

Gr 1-3--Another of the classics-turned-graphic novels, this adaptation of Amber Brown Is NOT a Crayon is a charming reimagining of Paula Danziger's original. Amber Brown is a third grader with olive skin and messy, brown pigtails. Despite her parents' recent divorce and her dad relocating outside of the country, she is doing well, especially since she has her best friend Justin (who is blond, with white skin) by her side. They make a good team, helping each other with math and reading, and having fun with their teacher, Mr. Cohen (who has brown skin) and his imaginative travel lessons. Unfortunately, things can't always stay the same--Justin's dad got a great new job in Alabama, far away from New Jersey, and they'll be moving soon. Amber is devastated, but why doesn't Justin care? Ying's warm, expressive illustrations do a great job of imbuing the characters with emotion, and Amber's iconic pigtails take on a life of their own in each panel. The last pages include examples of character development and interior art development of the book. VERDICT Highly recommended for younger fans of "The Baby-Sitter's Club" graphic novel series. A first purchase for most collections.--Kadie Seitz

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Kirkus

Starred Review

A faithfully executed adaptation worth visiting for new and returning readers. 

Paula Danziger
Born in Washington, D.C., and raised in New York, Paula Danziger knew since second grade that she wanted to be a writer. Beginning her career as a teacher, Danziger taught at the junior high, high school, college levels. She received her Masters Degree in reading and during that time she wrote her first bestselling novel, The Cat Ate My Gymsuit. She returned to teaching, but the success of her book encouraged her to become a full-time writer. It was non-stop for Danziger since then. Among her titles are: the enormously popular Amber Brown books as well as Remember Me To Harold Square, The Divorce Express, and Can You Sue Your Parents For Malpractice?

Danziger received numerous honors, including: Parent's Choice Awards, International Reading Association - Children's Book Council Awards, a IRA-CBC Children's Choice Award and many nominations for state reading and library association awards.

Known as a flamboyantly funny and deeply honest writer and speaker, Paula Danziger knew how to relate to young readers at their level. She was vital, funny, and compassionate. She knew how kids felt, what made them laugh, what they wore, collected, read, and played with. From collecting novelty toys that would make any teacher cringe, to wearing jangly earrings, funky glasses and shoes covered with beads and sequins, Paula Danziger had a direct line into kids' hearts and funnybones. She will be missed always.

In Paula's memory, The Amber Brown Fund has been established to bring authors and illustrators to schools and libraries which otherwise could not afford them. Donations may be sent to The Amber Brown Fund/ SCBWI Museum of Children's Books, 8271 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048.
Tony Ross lives in London, England.

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