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Replay Review

If you were in the middle of four kids in your family, how would you feel? One boy named Leo put up with it and has been putting up with it for 11 years now. Leo's family has six members: Mom, Dad, one sister, two brothers, and of course, Leo. Leo tried out for the school play, "Rompopos Porch" written by his teacher. Leo wanted the part of Rompopo but got a different part, the old crone. Throughout the book Leo goes off into little day dream sections and leads the reader to where he wished that scene went. Through all kinds of family emergencies such as broken bones, difficult relatives, and a frightening heart attack Leo held on. At the play, he did a fantastic job.

My reactions to this book are all positive. This book has humor, sadness, and exciting scenes. What else could you ask for in a book? It was always funny when the family was running around like crazy. I know how they feel, because my family is the same way. Also Leo's best friend, Ruby, was a very funny character. If Leo was sad she always found some way to make him happy. Some parts of the book were sad like Ruby's little brother who died when he was only six years old. Of all the exciting scenes my favorite was the night of the play. Another favorite part/theme was when he went into little day dreaming sequences and told how he wished that scene went. Over all, this book was fantastic. I hope you read it and enjoy!!

Sarah C.
Grade 6
Ms. Kawatachi

Replay Overview

Leo's papa stood in the doorway, gazing down at him. "Leo, you make gold from pebbles," and the way he said it, Leo could tell that this was a good thing.

He may have been given a bit part in the school play ... but Leo dreams he is the biggest star on Broadway.

Sure, his big, noisy family makes him feel like a sardine squashed in a tin ... but in his fantasy he gets all the attention he wants.

Yes, his papa seems sad and distracted ... but Leo imagines him as a boy, tap-dancing and singing with delight.

That's why they call Leo "fog boy." He's always dreaming, always replaying things in his brain. He fantasizes about who he is in order to discover who he will become. As an actor in the school play, he is poised and ready for the curtain to open. But in the play that is his life, Leo is eager to discover what part will be his.

Replay Specifications

Sharon Creech explores the hopes and longings of an introspective middle child from a boisterous Italian clan in this humorous, character-driven novel. Leo's family calls him "Sardine" because the quiet twelve year old often finds himself sandwiched between his more outgoing siblings. One rainy day in the attic, he discovers his father's teenage journal. In it, he reads that his careworn parent used to dream of being a dancer, a writer, a famous athlete, just like Leo! He also discovers a photo of his father's family that includes an unfamiliar girl in the background. Could it be the mysterious Aunt Rosaria no one speaks of? As he tries to untangle this family mystery, he is also preparing for his school play--a tale of an old man whose life is revived by weaving his childhood memories into stories for his neighbors. How can Leo convince his father that, like the old man in the play, he needs to talk about Rosaria to heal the hole she left in his life? Through the parallel dramas of the play and his chaotic home life, Leo begins to understand the importance of stories and our need to share them, whether they are treasured memories or future dreams. Creech includes the full text of the play, Rumpopo's Porch, in the back of the book. Middle grade fans of Project Mulberry by Linda Sue Park or The Liberation of Gabriel King by K.L. Going are sure to enjoy this heartfelt, thoughtful read. --Jennifer Hubert

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Customer Reviews

3rd/4th grade book - J. Chastant - Dutchess Co NY
my son loves this author but I didn't give it to him because it's only about a 3rd grade book. not spending money on a book that he'd be done with in a day.

Fog Boy, interesting in an interesting famly - S. Silverman - California
One of the most reliably, consistently talented writers for young people, this is another gem for Creech. Venturing far afield from her Kentucky settings of the past, Creech takes on an Italian extended family with no identified location. Leo, the next-to-youngest of four children, is a dreamer, hence his "Fog Boy" nickname. He is involved in a school play and deeply curious about a box of his father's boyhood possessions. His brothers and sister are involved in other activities and his extended family is realistic and funny. Leo daydreams actively, and a portion of most chapters includes his daydreams of grandeur without identifying them as such, making the reader be aware enough to discern these departures from reality on his or her own. The story's mystery of sorts, a never-spoken-of sister of Leo's father, provides as much drive for the reader as does coming to like Leo and his siblings including lisping brother Nuncio, and the pleasures of an intact, imperfect family revealed warts and all. Read it and enjoy it.

A Teacher's Perspective - S. White - Oklahoma
Replay is the story of a boy who feels lost in his large family. His siblings have talents that he views as more appreciated by his parents, like football and singing. During the story, the boy discovers that he wants to try his hand at acting and earns a part in a play written by his drama teacher. His best friend also earns a part. In the end, he learns that he is a fine actor and his parents are proud of his accomplishments.

While much of the story is surface bound and does not deal with the tougher issues of adolescence, the revelation of his friend's loss of a little brother earlier in her life brings some depth to the plot. As an only child, the busy, bustling family life that was so difficult for the main character sounded fantastic to me!

In the classroom, I would use the play script at the back of the story to act out the actual play prior to reading the accompanying story. In addition, it might be useful as part of a bigger study of family units and sibling relationships.

*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Aug 25, 2010 03:39:04

Children's Books

Wednesday, August 25, 2010