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    When Life Gives You O.J.
    Unavailable
    When Life Gives You O.J.
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    When Life Gives You O.J.
    Audiobook4 hours

    When Life Gives You O.J.

    Written by Erica S. Perl

    Narrated by Abigail Revasch

    4/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    For years, 10-year-old Zelly Fried has tried to convince her parents to let her have a dog. After all, practically everyone in Vermont owns a dog, and it sure could go a long way helping Zelly fit in since moving there from Brooklyn. But when her eccentric grandfather Ace hatches a ridiculous plan involving a "practice dog" named OJ, Zelly's not so sure how far she's willing to go to win a dog of her own. Is Ace's plan so crazy it just might work . . . or is it just plain crazy?

    Erica S. Perl weaves an affectionate and hilarious tale that captures the enduring bond between grandparents and grandchildren.  Even when they're driving each other nuts.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPenguin Random House Audio
    Release dateMar 12, 2013
    ISBN9780385393256
    Unavailable
    When Life Gives You O.J.

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    Reviews for When Life Gives You O.J.

    4/5

    41 ratings9 reviews

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    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 4/5
      A sweet, funny story with charming characters. The cover art is certainly among cutest of the year.
    • 4/5
      A solid story about a girl who wants to have a dog, so her grandfather convinces her to drag around an o.j. container as a pretend dog. It's also really more about how different she feels from others because she's Jewish and originally from Brooklyn, but now lives in Vermont. No one else looks quite like her or has a grandfather like her. So even though she reluctantly agrees to the o.j. plan, she doesn't embrace it until after her grandfather has a heart attack. Ultimately, the book is more about her relationship with her grandfather than about dogs.
    • 4/5
      Great story- learned a bunch of Yiddish words I never knew! Zelly is a typical kid who is totally embarrased and she was a character kids will relate to when they read her story of taking care of a practice dog.
    • 4/5
      This is a great book for kids 9-12 who are wanting a pet. Zelly gets a "practice dog" in hopes of convincing her parents she is responsible enough for the real thing.
    • 4/5
      Zelly’s grandfather, Ace, has a crazy idea to convince Zelly’s parents to let her get a dog. Zelly wants a dog more than anything, but can she go through with Ace's embarrassing plan?
    • 3/5
      Narrated by Abigail Revasch. Zelly longs for a dog now that her family has moved to Vermont from Brooklyn to live with her widowed grandpa Ace. Ace suggests she care for a fake dog (made from an orange juice bottle, hence the title) in order to show she can be a responsible dog-owner. It's an embarrassing project but will it get her a real dog? Revasch gives this the lively treatment it merits. Her Zelly is girlish while her Ace comes off as a sometimes intimidating crank. But this is more than a light story about dog care and the family eccentric. Zelly's insecurities, her new friendship with Jeremy, and her family's Jewish background add substance. Revasch handles the emotional shifts with aplomb.
    • 4/5
      Sweet kid's book for book club that is true to many issues 11 year olds face: really wanting a dog, missing a deceased grandparent, fear of public embarassment, needing to fit in, and putting up with a younger sibling. Zelly really wants a dog, so her Grandpa (Ace, who talks in CAPITAL letter as such a force) challenges her to take on a "practice" dog -- an empty OJ gallon jug. To feed it, she must fill it with kibble, then walk it, and empty it as essential poop scooping duty. Of course this is supremely embarassing to be seen around her neighborhood, but it helps prove her dedication to a furry family member. While this drives the plot, there are other issues that surface -- her relationship with her grandpa, friendship, her Jewish identity and coming to terms with some growing-up issues. For a little book, it covers a lot of ground, very well.
    • 3/5
      Zelly Fried desperately wants a dog. Her grandfather, Ace, suggest that Zelly shows how responsible she can be by taking care of a practice dog – an empty orange juice container. In the process, Zelly learns a lot, about loyalty, friendship, and being true to herself.
    • 5/5
      Zelda Fried, pronounced freed, wants a dog, wants to go to camp Sonrise with her best friend Allie, and she wants to move back to her old neighborhood. That's quite a bit for an almost eleven year old going int the sixth grade.When Zelly asks her parents if she can go to camp with her best friends, the answer was no, although her parents congratulated her for making a good case. The problems is they've recently moved to Vermont to a new house. You see, she recently lost her grandmother whom she fondly referred to as Bubbles. Her grandfather Ace lives with them now, and since everyone is adjusting to the recent loss and move, Zelly and her brother Sam will be spending time with family.In an effort to connect with Zelly, Ace comes up with a plan to see if Zelly is ready to take responsibility for a pet. It all starts with a note:Kid,See me immediately when you get this.Do not speak of this to anyone,not even your parents or your brother.Acep.s. I hope are are ready for this.Zelly is to take care to feed, water and walk a new makeshift pet. This pet is an old orange juice jug. She is forced to adapt to treating this old jug like a real dog. She makes a face and some spots on her new pet and names it O.J. As she adjusts to this crazy situation she awaits for letters from Allie, makes a new friend and tries to earn the trust of her parents so that she can get a real dog.This hilarious story of family and friendship will have readers flipping through the pages and sharing the laughter of this Jewish family. Readers will learn some funny Yiddish terms and grow to love Ace and his antics with Zelly and Sam.The back of the book has a glossary of Yiddish words like Chutzpah, which means “nerve” or “meshuggener” which is a crazy person. Parents and teachers will love this lighthearted family tale which will open the door to a culture they will embrace.