Sticks and Stones

Product Description
“Inspirational and tinged with nostalgia, this will please fans.” —Kirkus Reviews
“A well-intentioned tale full of expressive scenes…heartfelt.”— School Library Journal
From New York Times bestselling author and master storyteller Patricia Polacco comes the uplifting tale of three inseparable friends who pursue their talents and stop at nothing to achieve their dreams.
Based on her own childhood memory, author Patricia Polacco shares the pivotal story of one year in elementary school. On the first day of school, she breaks out in a rash and is called “Cootie” by her classmates. It seems like the year will be a disaster for Patricia until she meets Thom and Ravenne.
Each of the friends have their own talent. Thom, with his long legs and graceful manner, loves to dance ballet earning him the name “Sissy Boy.” Ravenne makes kits and paints on fabric, but she’s shy that people call her “Her Ugliness.” Thom, Ravenne, and Patricia are bullied by their classmates causing the three friends to band together for support. For years after that fateful year, encourage each other to stay true to themselves and achieve success in their passions.
This endearing and timely story celebrates uniqueness and proves that no matter what challenges stand in your way it’s your differences that make you who you are.
From School Library Journal
K-Gr 4-An awkward and overly complicated school reminiscence set in wintry, long-ago Michigan takes on gender bullying at an all-white school. Trisha (Polacco, as a girl) is befriended by Thom, who is called "Sissy Boy" by their classmate, Billy. Trisha likes Thom and finds they share interests including art and ballet. Thom is terrible at sports but he is imaginative and inspires Trish to think creatively as well. Over Christmas, Thom's mother takes them to see The Nutcracker and Trish sees Thom transported by the visions onstage. Thom goes on to win acclaim in a performance of a dance from Swan Lake, and much later, he enrolls in the New York City Ballet. The dense pages of story include a third friend, shy and artistic Ravanne, who, like Thom and Polacco, marches to the beat of a different drummer. And while the tale has a great message about bullying, and that the ultimate way to persevere and transcend detractors is to be one's best self, that gets oversimplified in the truncations and telescoping of the plot points. VERDICT A well-intentioned tale full of expressive scenes, this is not Polacco's strongest piece; though it may be her most heartfelt.-Joan Kindig, James Madison Univ., Harrisonburg, VAα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
About the Author
Patricia Polacco belongs to a family of storytellers, poets, farmers, teachers, and artists. They came from many parts of the world, but mainly Russia. She grew up to be an illustrator, a designer, and creator of many beloved children’s books, including
The Keeping Quilt,
The Blessing Cup,
Fiona’s Lace,
The Trees of the Dancing Goats,
Babushka’s Doll,
My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother, and
Sticks and Stones. She lives in Union City, Michigan. Visit her at PatriciaPolacco.com and follow her on Facebook.