145th Street: Short Stories

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Author(s)

Walter Dean Myers

Publisher

Laurel Leaf

Genre(s)

General Fiction

Age Range

12+

Release Date

October 09, 2001

ISBN

0440229162

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A salty, wrenchingly honest collection of stories set on one block of 145th Street. We get to know the oldest resident; the cop on the beat; fine Peaches and her girl, Squeezie; Monkeyman; and Benny, a fighter on the way to a knockout. We meet Angela, who starts having prophetic dreams after her father is killed; Kitty, whose love for Mack pulls him back from the brink; and Big Joe, who wants a bang-up funeral while he's still around to enjoy it. Some of these stories are private, and some are the ones behind the headlines. In each one, characters jump off the page and pull readers right into the mix on 1-4-5.

Editor reviews

2 reviews

Short Stories from Walter Dean Myers

November 18, 2005

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4.0

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I always enjoy reading stories from Walter Dean Myers, though this was my first stab at something other than a novel. A true master, even his short stories convey a lot in just a little bit of space.

There are ten stories in this slim novel, all set on 145th Street, all on one block. You'll meet Peaches and her best friend Squeezie, Monkeyman (who stands up to a gang in an unusual way and lives to tell the tale), Kitty (who finds true love and hangs on to it, no matter what), and many more colorful and believable characters.

The stories fold and blend into one another in such a way that they almost read like a novel. They work very well together and take on a life of their own a life that you'll find yourself thinking about days later.

I'd be hard pressed to pick out a favorite story, but mine might be the tale of Big Joe, who plans and executes his own funeral so he can enjoy it while he's still living. He takes it all the way into the cemetery and even into a casket, that's how committed he is.

I recommend this collection for readers aged 12 and up. Adults will also find much to love.

Kimberly Pauley Top 50 Reviewer 393 reviews

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4 reviews

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Pollyanna

August 26, 2010

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Reader reviewed by Jolie

I recommend Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter because Pollyanna is a character who always looks on the bright side of things. For example, although her aunt gave her a drab bedroom Pollyanna appreciated just having a room to sleep in. Pollyanna is a girl who seems to always be happy even when sad things occur. Another example is when Pollyanna broke her legs. She knew they would eventually heal.

It was sad to see Pollyanna experience so many disappointments in her life. However, her positive attitude rubs off on the reader and leaves her or him with the same happy feelings as Pollyanna.

The book teaches us an important lesson such as never give up. It also shows us that it is important to be kind to other people.

I really enjoyed the book for the reasons above. Pollyanna would be interesting for kids who love seeing how unhappy events can turn positive. I hope you enjoy my review and the book.

Guest #1 Reviewer

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Pollyanna

August 26, 2010

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My Review

October 07, 2009

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Reader reviewed by vicky

I really liked this book. It showed how life could be different in so many ways to other people and how things can change those people. These things show how life is hard for so many other people and that this life on 145th street is kinda just like our life today with the many problems.

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awesome perfect!

July 23, 2008

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Reader reviewed by emily

this book was apsolutly perfect!you could read it when you were lying in bed or you could read it out loud. you could ever read it on an airplane (im always looking for a book that is good to be able to just be picked up for a couple of minutes and read on an airplane and this was a good one i loved it keep upt he good work author)!

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