OnlineBookClub.org

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Snow people" by Allen thomas.]

The orphanage where 14-year-old Jenny lives is facing foreclosure, and she is determined to help. She persuades Old Jake, a retired sign painter, to resume painting holiday windows featuring the whimsical snow people he used to paint with his wife. Old Jake teaches Jenny how to paint the scenes, and they work as a team to raise money for the orphanage in the touching children's chapter book, Snow People: Good Overcoming Evil, by Allen Thomas. Meanwhile, Mr. Caldwell is a greedy banker with selfish motives. He schemes to proceed with the foreclosure, but help comes from an unexpected source. Can Jenny and Old Jake save the orphanage before it's too late?

This well-written book is 112 exceptionally-edited pages. However, instead of being classified in the young adult genre, its vocabulary and plot are best suited for children between the ages of 7-12. In addition to teaching the concept of good overcoming evil, the story contains an element of fantasy and presents themes of friendship, compassion, acceptance, loyalty, responsibility, perseverance, bravery, faith, and love.

In fact, I most liked the age-appropriate positive themes the book teaches through Jenny's character. For example, when Jenny meets Old Jake and learns of his sadness over his wife's death, she exemplifies love and compassion. As Jenny seeks a way to help raise money for the orphanage, she exhibits perseverance and responsibility. In another instance, she must demonstrate bravery to help a classmate. At the same time, Jenny is also relatable; despite her desire to help, she tends to be bossy.

I also enjoyed the portion of the plot involving the snow people. The author's vivid descriptions really bring the story to life. As I read, I could imagine the holiday windows painted with colorful scenes featuring whimsical snow people. Likewise, I think the book would be enhanced by the addition of illustrations. I won't reveal any spoilers, but as the story of the snow people unfolds, children will be delighted.

I have one concern involving safety. When Jenny meets Old Jake for the first time, her bike has a flat tire, and he offers to take her to get it fixed. Without a moment's hesitation, Jenny gets into the truck with a stranger. I would caution parents to use this as a teachable moment. With younger children, emphasize that this scenario happened in a make-believe story, but that they should never, ever get into a car with someone they don't know. For older children who are reading it alone, I would use the example to begin a dialogue. "What did you think about page 7?" "What would you do if someone you didn't know offered you a ride?"

Overall, I'm pleased to rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. While the safety caution bears noting, it doesn't detract from the book's positive themes and enjoyable story. I recommend it to young readers between the ages of 7-12. The book will also appeal to parents, teachers, and grandparents who enjoy reading chapter books with children.

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Snow people
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This seems like a good fantasy book. I also I agree with your concern about security, I wish the author was more cautious in writing that particular scene. Thanks for a good review!

Shielasshi_93 wrote: ↑09 Mar 2019, 06:15 This seems like a good fantasy book. I also I agree with your concern about security, I wish the author was more cautious in writing that particular scene. Thanks for a good review!

You're welcome. I appreciate your comment.

Latest Review: Snow people by Allen Thomas

Cecelia truly has the knack to deliver excellent reviews, with a clear and descriptive background of the story. I understand the concern for safety, yet it could be purposefully,to raise the awareness of parents and guardians, because kids raised in an orphanage ,have to learn, to fend for themselves, depending on the orphanage.It tells about how a tenacious teenager and a retired man, teamed up, to help raise funds to help save the orphanage and how good overcomes evil.

lizette wrote: ↑09 Mar 2019, 13:21 Latest Review: Snow people by Allen Thomas

Cecelia truly has the knack to deliver excellent reviews, with a clear and descriptive background of the story. I understand the concern for safety, yet it could be purposefully,to raise the awareness of parents and guardians, because kids raised in an orphanage ,have to learn, to fend for themselves, depending on the orphanage.It tells about how a tenacious teenager and a retired man, teamed up, to help raise funds to help save the orphanage and how good overcomes evil.

Thank you. I appreciate your comment.

You're welcome.

The note of slight empathy in the review struck me, and I was pleased to read about a book that merges fantasy with some of the concerns of the adult and modern world. Bankers and financiers are not my most popular characters but it is necessary to introduce them into the life of children. A great and balanced review which I enjoyed reading. When I am a grandfather I will pass this book on.

timd wrote: ↑09 Mar 2019, 15:05 The note of slight empathy in the review struck me, and I was pleased to read about a book that merges fantasy with some of the concerns of the adult and modern world. Bankers and financiers are not my most popular characters but it is necessary to introduce them into the life of children. A great and balanced review which I enjoyed reading. When I am a grandfather I will pass this book on.

Thank you for your comment.

This sounds like a really interesting book for elementary schoolers, and is a good way to introduce them to real world "adult" type problems. Thank you especially for the word of caution about the part where she gets into a stranger's car. My daughter is in this age group and usually reads books by herself without me pre-screening them, so information like this is very helpful for me to know as a parent.

unamilagra wrote: ↑10 Mar 2019, 12:55 This sounds like a really interesting book for elementary schoolers, and is a good way to introduce them to real world "adult" type problems. Thank you especially for the word of caution about the part where she gets into a stranger's car. My daughter is in this age group and usually reads books by herself without me pre-screening them, so information like this is very helpful for me to know as a parent.

You're welcome. I appreciate your comment.

You're right. We need to be a bit more careful with our kids in this day and age. However, this kid Jenny could teach other children a thing or two. As always, excellent review.

DogoMulla wrote: ↑10 Mar 2019, 17:10 You're right. We need to be a bit more careful with our kids in this day and age. However, this kid Jenny could teach other children a thing or two. As always, excellent review.

Good point about Jenny. Thanks for your comment.

This sounds like a great book to bring into my classroom library! I love that you included ideas for discussion in your review and commented on how the vocabulary will lower the appropriate reading age! Thank you!

spencermack wrote: ↑10 Mar 2019, 19:04 This sounds like a great book to bring into my classroom library! I love that you included ideas for discussion in your review and commented on how the vocabulary will lower the appropriate reading age! Thank you!

You're welcome. Thanks for your comment.

In reading the description, I was thinking to myself that it would be a great children's story. It sounds a bit too simplistic for the young adult genre. It sounds cute and heartwarming. Great review as always!