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Jean and Johnny Paperback – January 2, 2007
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Newbery Medal winner Beverly Cleary brings her classic warm humor to this funny and touching story about a girl who lacks self-confidence, and a boy who has too much.
Fifteen-year-old Jean is astonished when handsome Johnny whirls her around the dance floor. She's never given much thought to boys before; now Johnny is all that's on her mind.
Finally she finds the courage to invite him to a dance. But the excitement of a new dress and a scheme to take Johnny's photograph cannot stop Jean's growing uneasiness that she likes Johnny a lot more than he likes her . . .
- Reading age8 - 12 years
- Print length224 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Grade level5 - 9
- Lexile measure900L
- Dimensions5.1 x 0.7 x 7.5 inches
- PublisherHarperCollins
- Publication dateJanuary 2, 2007
- ISBN-100380728052
- ISBN-13978-0380728053
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"Mrs. Cleary has drawn another fifteen-year-old heroine with as sure a touch as that which pictured Jane in Fifteen. Readers will discover just as complete an empathy for the new Jean".
-- The Horn Book
From the Back Cover
First Date
Fifteen-year-old Jean is astonished when a handsome Johnny whirls her ‘round the dance floor. She's never given much thought to boys before; now Johnny is all that's on her mind. Finally she finds the courage to invite him to a dance. But the excitement of a new dress and a scheme to take Johnny's photograph cannot stop jean's growing uneasiness that she likes Johnny a lot more than he likes her . . .
This high-school story, which is both funny and touching, is about a girl who lacks self-confidence, and a boy who has too much.About the Author
Beverly Cleary is one of America's most beloved authors. As a child, she struggled with reading and writing. But by third grade, after spending much time in her public library in Portland, Oregon, she found her skills had greatly improved. Before long, her school librarian was saying that she should write children's books when she grew up.
Instead she became a librarian. When a young boy asked her, "Where are the books about kids like us?" she remembered her teacher's encouragement and was inspired to write the books she'd longed to read but couldn't find when she was younger. She based her funny stories on her own neighborhood experiences and the sort of children she knew. And so, the Klickitat Street gang was born!
Mrs. Cleary's books have earned her many prestigious awards, including the American Library Association's Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, presented to her in recognition of her lasting contribution to children's literature. Dear Mr. Henshaw won the Newbery Medal, and Ramona Quimby, Age 8 and Ramona and Her Father have been named Newbery Honor Books. Her characters, including Beezus and Ramona Quimby, Henry Huggins, and Ralph, the motorcycle-riding mouse, have delighted children for generations.
Product details
- Publisher : HarperCollins; Reprint edition (January 2, 2007)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 224 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0380728052
- ISBN-13 : 978-0380728053
- Reading age : 8 - 12 years
- Lexile measure : 900L
- Grade level : 5 - 9
- Item Weight : 4.8 ounces
- Dimensions : 5.1 x 0.7 x 7.5 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #236,609 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
Beverly Cleary's birthday, April 12th, is celebrated across the country on D.E.A.R. Day, with activities related to the Drop Everything and Read Program. One of the most popular and honored authors of all time, Beverly Cleary has won the Newbery Medal for Dear Mr. Henshaw, and both Ramona Quimby, Age 8 and Ramona and Her Father have been named Newbery Honor Books. She makes her home in coastal California.
Customer reviews
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book relatable and enjoyable. They appreciate the vivid characters and the portrayal of a first love. The story is considered timeless and suitable for young women.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book relatable with vivid characters and a portrayal of first love. They describe it as a timeless tale with truth and wisdom relevant to young women.
"...As usual, Beverly Cleary presents vivid and highly enjoyable characters and situations, with which readers of any age can identify. Top fare." Read more
"...tell the setting is California in the 1950's I found it to be a timeless tale that young women today can still relate to." Read more
"...There's a lot of truth and wisdom here that is universally relevant to a young woman experiencing her first crush...." Read more
"Amazing loved it fantastic and very relatable can't wait to read many more beaverly cleary books :) good book for ages 12-16" Read more
Customers enjoy the book. They find it relatable and good for ages 12-16.
"A sweet and enjoyable book about a high school girl's first crush...." Read more
"...I forgot how much this was a great book. It still a good book for all ages." Read more
"Amazing loved it fantastic and very relatable can't wait to read many more beaverly cleary books :) good book for ages 12-16" Read more
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2000It's safe to say that every woman alive can identify with this very "on target" tale, which Beverly Cleary depicts with warmth, humour, occasional pathos, and perfect realism. Perhaps we are not much like Jean (I know that I never was ... seems strange she has no interests, no involvement in activities, and only one friend), but which of us has not, in some fashion, had the idea that love was mutual as long as we kept talking about a particular dream boat?
I used this book, which I'd originally read over 30 years ago, with a class when I was teaching pre-teen girls. I noticed that even an adult reader would be wondering whether the gorgeous Johnny really "liked" Jean, or was merely one with a big ego. (I'll not spoil the story by saying which was the case.) I smiled in nostalgic, if bittersweet, recognition when, for example, Jean searched the dictionary for the definition of "cute."
Fortunately, the book was written in the last days of when a conceited type could be taken at face value. We are spared the boring diversions into the psychology of the "hunk" which undoubtedly would divert us today.
As usual, Beverly Cleary presents vivid and highly enjoyable characters and situations, with which readers of any age can identify. Top fare.
- Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2016A sweet and enjoyable book about a high school girl's first crush. Even though the reader can tell the setting is California in the 1950's I found it to be a timeless tale that young women today can still relate to.
- Reviewed in the United States on September 4, 2011Beverly Cleary is a giant in Children's Literature, & has been for the past few generations. Whether a person has read her Runaway Ralph series, grew up with Ramona, or delved into her teen romances such as the one I'm about to review, it's no mistake that her fiction has a timeless quality. Of course, some may be put off from reading this book because of the title itself, Jean & Johnny are two names which aren't quite so common anymore, couple that with details relating to Jean's economic background e.g. having to sew her own clothes, prices at the stores & drive-in, & it obviously dates itself a bit.
What makes it timeless is how Cleary keeps you engaged with the character, one many young girls can remember being. They were all fifteen once, or at one point felt very unsure of themselves. They were interested in boys, but didn't have the confidence, or felt themselves appealing at all to the opposite sex.* Pop stars were their idols, & this shared interest was a great way to bond with their friends.
In Jean's case, she's an awkward young girl, who has a best friend name Elaine & they share each other's company. But after sneaking into a dance, Jean is invited, to her surprise, to dance with the most popular, handsomest boy in the school, Johnny. This changes her entire outlook of herself, because she doesn't see why a boy like Johnny would pay any attention to her. So, Elaine & she begin their efforts to make Jean noticed by Johnny to find out why he likes her, if he does at all.
What I liked most about the book is how it teaches you that you must value yourself & not depend upon the attention of others for self-esteem, how you should listen to your elders, especially in this case her sister Sue who is a little older & wiser, & how you should remember who has always been there for you, such as your dear friends, even after you start dating. Most importantly, it teaches a young reader that the exterior is only one aspect of a human, that they must pay attention to the behavior of a person to tell their true character & feelings.
*I'm not intending this to be heterosexist.
- Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2017I have a special fondness for all of Beverly Cleary's books, but lately, I've found myself thinking about her YA books as my daughter moves swiftly towards her teen years. What had stuck with me most about Jean and Johnny was the shopping trip for her dress, but there is so much more here than that memorable scene. There's a lot of truth and wisdom here that is universally relevant to a young woman experiencing her first crush. I enjoyed revisiting with Jean and her friends and family and I suspect you will too.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2020I read this book in Jr. High school many years ago and really enjoyed it. I think it’s the only book I can remember reading back then. I know have 3 grand daughters living with me that ages are 9-14, I ordered the book for them to read and hope they enjoy it as much as I did.
- Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2015I had this book when I was a kid and loved it. I love it even more now b/c it brings back happy memories of afternoons spent in my room with my beloved hooks. It would definitely seem dated to young girls today, but I think they might still enjoy the story. I'll read my favorite parts over and over agin! So thrilled to find it on kindle.
- Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2009My best friend had this book when we were preteens and I borrowed and read it numerous times. Now as as adult I wanted to revisit the past and see if it was still the book I remembered. The excitement of "young love" (as it was in the 60s) is still evident in all its innocence. I don't know that modern teens would find this titillating enough for their tastes, but I found it to be still refreshing.
- Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2013I read this book when I was in elementary school, so I decide to buy it and read it again. I forgot how much this was a great book. It still a good book for all ages.
Top reviews from other countries
- heather downsReviewed in the United Kingdom on May 20, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars Very nice story
Always liked beverley cleary,, fifteen was one of my favourite books years ago so was delighted to find another book by her enjoyed it,very much fifteen will always be my favourite though