Funerals and Fly Fishing

by Mary Bartek

I start up the street toward my grandfather's house. Just how weird is it that I, Brad Stanislawski, am walking toward a funeral home of my own free will?

Where do you fit in when you're oversized, underappreciated, and faced with a name like Stanislawski?

Brad Stanislawski is looking forward to summer vacation, if only to get away from the classmates who make fun of his size (it's not his fault he's so tall) and his last name (Stan-is-lousy being their moniker of choice). So when Brad's mother announces that she's taking a summer vacation by herself and sending Brad across the country to stay with his estranged grandfather-who happens to be an undertaker-Brad thinks life couldn't possibly get any worse. Still, as Brad ought to know, first impressions can be deceiving, and a name can hold a lot more than embarrassment.

What exactly does it mean to be Brad Stanislawski? In this thoughtful, funny first novel, Brad (with a little help from his grandfather) is about to find out for himself.  Funerals and Fly Fishing is a 2005 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

Genres: Childrens, Fiction

160 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2004

About the author

It’s no accident that my first book, FUNERALS AND FLY FISHING, was set in a funeral home. I was seven years old when my father took over a funeral business in our hometown in Pennsylvania, and our family moved into the floors above it. I still remember my first tour of the business floor. The sun shone through the dark, patterned draperies, giving the large orange flowers an eerie glow. I decided right then to have as little contact with the business as possible.

In spite of the fact that dead people often occupied the downstairs, our house upstairs was really very normal. The biggest difference between our home and anyone else's was that my sisters and I had to be quiet while the funeral home was in use. One annoying effect of that quiet was that, except for birds and fish, we couldn’t have a pet. I was a grown-up with my own house before I got my first dog. I'm not sure if my parents would have wanted a dog no matter where we lived, but living above the funeral home was reason enough not to have one.

Since 1990, my husband and I have lived in Colorado. Now that our daughters Emily and Megan are older, our dog Lucky is the only "kid" around the house these days. I like him a lot, so I guess it's a good thing that I don't live in a funeral home any more.

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my mother's book and it is fabulous! READ IT!!

[Grace Topping · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming story

This book has a lot going for it—a touching story about families, learning to forgive, a glimpse into a small town and its traditions, how a young boy bridges the gap between his mother and grandfather, and learns how to stand up for himself. An excellent read for any age.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet, short, heart-warming little story, with some cute dialogue, and situations. A mother, who has an estranged relationship with her father, sends her son to get to know him.

[PurpleRoyalty83 · Rating 5 out of 5]

It all started at North Middle School when a sixth grader was such in a hurry to get out of school.It was the last day of school and the clock was ticking.BUZZ!The bell rung as all of the middle schoolers were rushing to get out. To Brad it was a typical Friday, but what he didn't know was that something was going to happened that would change his entire summer and maybe his life.Brad Stanislaski was a sixth grader that was from Denver.His mom was planning on going to California for business.And he was going to stay with his mom's bestfriend,Laura.Let's just say plans changed."Brad you're staying with your grandfather." Brad never knew his grandfather.His mom and his grandfather had a complicated relationship.Brad was thinking the same thing I was thinking,"How can Istay with somebody I don't even know?" Every summer Brad writes down all the things that he did over the summer.He thought that since he was going to Pennsylvannia nothing was going great was going on that list. What I learned from reading this book was that even though not everything will go your way,it's still a good thing to make the best out of it.My opinion is that Brad did a great job at that.He went fly fishing, made a friend,he even got to explore a different place.What I also learned was that even if you don't know somebody you could still try to get to know them,because they may end up being a cool person.

[Calle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was in the library picking out a book speedey fast when i saw this book lying on a shelf all alone. I read the book not in a horry just as a pace to read when i was my bored or dont want to watch t.v.


Funerals and Fly Fishing, A young man who is struggling to find his place among the bullies and troublemakers in his life. Brad Stanislawski is used to being called San-is-lousy by his fellow peers. However, after an unexpected summer vacation with his grandfather, who he has never met, Brad gains the confidence to stand up for himself. During the summer vacation, Brad also learns how to fly fish.


This book is an enjoyable book to read and is sure to keep the you interested.

[Duane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a charming little book for average readers who want a nice clean book to read. It's about a boy named Brad who finds himself spending two weeks with a grandfather he doesn't even know. Finding himself living in a funeral parlor, he soon learns there's more about his mom and grandfather's relationship then even they know. A nice book that doesn't get preachy, but still passes along a message we all can understand. Predictable, but still a fun read for anyone.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun story about a boy, Brad, who ends up being shipped off to visit his grandpa whom he has never met. Not only that, but his grandpa owns and lives in a funeral home--so Brad has to stay with dead people! As he finds out more about his grandpa, he enjoys his visit even more. It's a fun read.

[Christie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Small short chapters that would be good for a younger reader. I think the intrigue was in the title, but it is just a story of a boy that met his grandfather and helped repair a relationship while starting one himself. He also learned about himself, his family and how to stand up for himself in a positive way. Not a bad book, but nothing special. Learned a new word too, Moniker, lol....

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funerals and fly fishing is a great book to read it is about this kid Brian. his mother is going to california for a buisness trip and he is sent to his grandfathers house in Denver Colorado. He is stuck with his grandfather that is a Funral home owner.

[Frantina Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goood Book

[Ciel Oh · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is nice it talks about his mom's dad who she hated and he has to go spend a week or something with him and he hears some creepy stuff but it isn;t true i love this book

[Lucia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sure it is predictable, but I am an adult reading a juvenile fiction book. I hope I can figure it out. But it is a sweet, happy ending kind of book.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating story!

[Jevans · Rating 4 out of 5]

how to exept change

[Sarah Brewer]

good, i read this in a book club in the 4th grade, so i dont remember too much

[Katie-Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a Mark Twain nominee. I actually really liked it. It was a good book about finding your self.

[David Spiller · Rating 4 out of 5]

For early teen readers but I liked the discriptions of fly fishing and seeing things as a child does.