Donavan's Word Jar

This book was chosen by a 9 year-old boy among a list of books from the school.

A long time ago AT & T created a print advertisement that said: Communication is the beginning of understanding." This slogan anticipates the conclusion of "Donavan's Word Jar." Let's flashback to the beginning of the story. Donavan is a third-grader. Just like everyone else in his class, Donavan is a collector. While they collect tangible things like baseball cards, ad buttons, stamps, and marbles, Donavan collects words. He finds them (the first is Nutrition from a cereal box), writes them on a yellow slips of paper in purple ink, and keeps them in a glass jar. He finds new words everywhere: storefronts, billboards, a sign in a parade, and from people talking on the sidewalk, on television, on the bus, everywhere. One day his jar is so full, he has difficulty closing it. After asking his teacher, his father, and his mother how to solve his problem, he decides to take the question to his grandmother who lives in an apartment house for the elderly not too far from his house. The solution comes in the most unexpected way. People take his words! But good comes out of good and communication is the beginning of understanding. Giving and sharing help open up communication. I would love to tell you how this works, but the ending is so delightful, I feel telling you would be a spoiler. This chapter book makes a perfect gift for a child who shows any inclination towards reading or words. Maybe you could set up a Word Center with a jar, slips of paper, a pen or pencil, and a dictionary. Definitely a teacher could use this book as a class reading project with each child keeping a Word Jar. There's too much magic in words to let this book slip by under-utilized. A very definite keeper. You might start with "logophile" or "logophilia."

I purchased this book for my 8 year old grandson. When I rec'd the book, I read it myself; I fell in love with it. I promise you it gave me a joyous feeling and I could not wait to give it to my grandson and read it together with him. He loved the book as much as I did. Simple, pure, realistic. I would recommend this book; for children that may not have an appreciation for reading; I think this book will change that for them. Words are indeed powerful and can bring much joy to all!

Teachers and parents alike will love this clever early-reader chapter book about a boy who collects words. From alliterative chapter titles, multigenerational characters, to realistic story plot, children can't wait to grab a jar and start collecting their own words!

This book is good because it was easy to read and it was interesting and fun. She is a very talented writer. I hope she writes more good chapter books.