Alexander, Who's Not (Do You Hear Me? I Mean It!) Going to Move

Judith Viorst speaks the thoughts of a young person so truthfully that my children/grandchildren just love Alexander books. Our seven year old granddaughter just moved to a new neighborhood, new school, new everything. I sent this book to her and she wrote me a thank you note telling me how much she loves Alexander because he knew how she felt. She said, "he was really mad" and it helped her realize it was normal for her to have those angry feelings, too. But, he settles in and so has she. Kids need to know that negative feelings are normal under some situations. Judith V's books are humorous and the lessons they teach are subjects kids relate to, but she doesn't preach. She just brings out another side to look at.

"Alexander And The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day" is an absolute classic of children's literature, even if I have heard Judith Viorst's story done way too often at speech tournaments. The idea of feeling so mad or sad that you want to move to Australia remains one of the great punch lines. In "Alexander's Not (Do You Hear Me? I Mean It!) Going to Move" she comes up with a story almost as good. Alexander might talk about moving to Australia, but when his mom and dad tell him that the family is moving to a new home a thousand miles away he decides that he is not going to move. He is not even going to pack. His father might have a new job a thousand miles away and there might be a new house a thousand miles away but Alexander does not care. Right next door to the new house there might be a boy who is the same age of his brother Anthony and down the street there might be a boy the same age as his brother Nick, but Alexander figures that there is probably nobody for a thousand miles who is his age. He will never have a best friend like Paul again or a great sitter like Rachel. Alexander has a long, long list of favorite friends and special places that he will never have again if he moves. Therefore, he is not packing. Never. Not going to happen. "Alexander's Not (Do You Hear Me? I Mean It!) Going to Move" is illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser, who pointedly does so in the style of Ray Cruz, who first illustrated Alexander in print and who was unable to complete the work on this endeavor. This book might come in second to the original tale, but for any kid who has to deal with the trauma of moving (as an Air Force Brat my family moved a half-dozen times when I was growing up) this story will ring true and help put things in perspective. Final Note: I was surprised to read that Judith Viorst has three sons named Anthony, Nicholas, and Alexander. This must have made for an interesting household. I wonder what happened to Alexander when he grew up. Maybe he moved to Australia.

Alexander, Who's Not (Do you hear me? I mean it!) Going to move by Judith Viorst is a great childrens book. It is wonderfully illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser. The storyline is realistic and approaches a subject in a creative style. It is attractive to young readers and manages to shed light on Alexander's negative feelings towards moving. Alexander ends up happy and so will the reader.

This book was funny because Alexander didn't want to move, and he kept saying "I'm not-DO YOU HEAR ME? I MEAN IT!-going to move." He kept thinking of going to other people's houses and asking to stay. The pictures were funny especially when he had kisses all over his face. This book would be good for somebody who is moving. I think a third grader would enjoy this book because it is funny.

I used this book for a class project, and I was able to create many activities that went along well with the book. Now that I have used it in a classroom, I have found it to be an excellent resource for any student who is either moving away or who has just moved to the area. Similarily, this book has been a helpful one to read to neighbors and friends who are dreading the "big" move. Alexander tells it like it is, and subsequently, relates perfectly to young readers and adults alike.