Welcome to Hokey Pokey. A place and a time, when childhood is at its best: games to play, bikes to ride, experiences to be had. There are no adults in Hokey Pokey, just kids, and the laws governing Hokey Pokey are simple and finite. But when one of the biggest kids, Jack, has his beloved bike stolen—and by a girl, no less—his entire world, and the world of Hokey Pokey, turns to chaos. Without his bike, Jack feels like everything has started to go wrong. He feels different, not like himself, and he knows something is about to change. And even more troubling he alone hears a faint train whistle. But that's impossible: every kid knows there no trains in Hokey Pokey, only tracks. Master storyteller Jerry Spinelli has written a dizzingly inventive fable of growing up and letting go, of leaving childhood and its imagination play behind for the more dazzling adventures of adolescence, and of learning to accept not only the sunny part of day, but the unwelcome arrival of night, as well.
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"A slow-starter for me, but once I devoted full attention to the story and characters, I was hooked. Not sure how many kids will appreciate the subtleties of the 'growing up' theme, but an enjoyable read for all nonetheless. I'd like to read more of Jerry Spinelli's books now (this was my first.) What a fantastic, creative mind he has!" — Mary (4 out of 5 stars)
"A slow-starter for me, but once I devoted full attention to the story and characters, I was hooked. Not sure how many kids will appreciate the subtleties of the 'growing up' theme, but an enjoyable read for all nonetheless. I'd like to read more of Jerry Spinelli's books now (this was my first.) What a fantastic, creative mind he has!"
" Set in the subconscious realm of Hokey Pokey, where the childhood desire to keep things the same are pitted against the adolescent longing for change. Abstract, poetic and ambiguous. What if the Hokey Pokey really was what it's all about? "
" Hmmm...I liked it well enough but as a book for kids? I honestly don't think the students at my school would "get it". I really don't think they would stick with the book long enough to figure it out. "
" Allegory about growing up / coming of age. "
" This just didn't hook me like Stargirl did, or some of Spinelli's other works. Notice the beginning like this for a lot of reviewers... "
" This was an imaginative read but I'm not sure who the intended audience is. It seems a little conceptual for kids (my fifth grader started reading it and said she didn't get it, and she usually gets more than me). "
" A hard book to review...a tale of growing up. Some fun and imaginative descriptions of the fantasy world of childhood one boy is leaving , but I don't know if kids who haven't yet left said world will *get* this...I enjoyed it, but it seems more for adults. "
" This book really annoyed me in the early chapters it forever to realize what was going on. This seems like one of those books that will win awards and adults will like it but kids will not. Sorry bit I just did not care for this at all. "
" Extended allegory/metaphor really isn't my style of book, but Spinelli is masterful with this one. I had a bike like that once. I am not really sure there is anything more to say. "
" An odd book. While I was listening to it, I kept picturing the lost boys and Neverland as depicted in the movie "Hook" which turned out be be rather appropriate. I'm not sure how kids will react to this book. I'm still not real sure how I feel about. "
" Overall a good book but I don't think the kids will get it. "
" I can't give 'em all 5 stars. "
" I was confused for the first 30 pages, but when I realized what was happening, and what it meant, it all made beautiful sense! We have all been there, and this was such creative way to jog the memory! "
" Just when I thought I had a favorite Jerry Spinelli book, he goes and writes another spectacular story! hokey pokey is my new favorite! "
Jerry Spinelli discovered his calling in 1957 when his high school football team won a big game. The town celebrated and his fellow students raced through the streets, but Jerry sneaked back home and marked the occasion in his own way. He wrote a poem. Later the town newspaper published it. He has been a writer ever since. Married to Eileen Spinelli, who is also a writer, Jerry was for many years an editor for the Chilton Company. Now a full-time writer, he lives in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. His immensely popular books include Space Station Seventh Grade, Jason and Marceline, Who Put That Hair in My Toothbrush?, and Maniac Magee, which has won more than fifteen state children’s book awards in addition to the Newbery Medal.
Maxwell Glick is an actor based in Los Angeles. He has appeared on television in guest roles in numerous shows such as The Office and Castle. He also has voiced numerous commercials, audiobooks, and cartoons. Originally a regional theater actor, Glick has played Arpad in She Loves Me, Matt in The Fantasticks, and Eugene in Brighton Beach Memoirs. A New York native, he is a graduate of Boston College.
Tara Sands is an American actress, television host, and voice talent who has won numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards for narration. She is former cohost of Fridays on the Cartoon Network. In addition to performing in plays and musicals, her voice can be heard on numerous commercials, audiobooks, cartoons, and video games.
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