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Dan Quixote: Boy of Nuevo Jersey
Dan Boy of Nuevo Jersey is a funny and touching middle grade novel about friendship, bullying, school pressure, first love, and learning to appreciate the differences that make us special. Daniel Tyler and Sandra Day Goldberg are opposite sides of the same coin. Dan is an artist and a dreamer who believes everything he reads in books, and Sandy is a practical girl with a strong sense of justice. Yet despite their differences, Dan and Sandy have been best friends since kindergarten. Now they are in eighth grade, and they must deal with pressure from both their teachers and their peers. Their history teacher, Mrs. Fallon--also known as "The Dragon"--seems to enjoy belittling and failing her students. And Jade, the school bully and class queen bee, is trying to pressure Dan to do something he knows is wrong. What's more, Dan is in love with Gwen, and Sandy is beginning to wonder if she still has a place in her best friend's life. Things go from bad to worse when Jade labels Dan the "Dork King of New Jersey" and spreads vicious gossip about him. Can Dan and Sandy defeat the Dragon? Can they stop the bullying and gossip? Will Dan win Gwen's heart? And how will Dan and Sandy's friendship survive it all? Find out by reading Dan Boy of Nuevo Jersey.
160 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 16, 2004
13 people want to read
About the author
Shevi Arnold
8 books68 followersShevi Arnold writes funny. She can't help it. She's been writing funny since she was a kid, cracking up her class and her teachers with her humorous essays.
In high school she studied sitcoms when she was supposed to be doing her homework, and in college she took a couple of courses in comedy and clowning, as part of her degrees in English Literate and Theater Studies. She just had to find out what made something funny.
Eventually she cracked the code, and that led to jobs as a political cartoonist, a comic-strip magazine editor, and an arts-and-entertainment writer specializing in children's entertainment and, of course, comedy.
But a funny thing happened that put an end to her career as a journalist: she ran into a dead end where her autistic son's education was concerned, so she and her husband decided to leave the city where they had lived to move the family to New Jersey.
A few months later, Shevi asked her husband what she should do.
"What have you always wanted to do?" He asked.
She thought about it for a while. "I've always wanted to write funny stories, fantasy and science fiction for kids and teens."
And so she did. Dan Quixote: Boy of Nuevo Jersey is the first she's published, and more are on the way.
In high school she studied sitcoms when she was supposed to be doing her homework, and in college she took a couple of courses in comedy and clowning, as part of her degrees in English Literate and Theater Studies. She just had to find out what made something funny.
Eventually she cracked the code, and that led to jobs as a political cartoonist, a comic-strip magazine editor, and an arts-and-entertainment writer specializing in children's entertainment and, of course, comedy.
But a funny thing happened that put an end to her career as a journalist: she ran into a dead end where her autistic son's education was concerned, so she and her husband decided to leave the city where they had lived to move the family to New Jersey.
A few months later, Shevi asked her husband what she should do.
"What have you always wanted to do?" He asked.
She thought about it for a while. "I've always wanted to write funny stories, fantasy and science fiction for kids and teens."
And so she did. Dan Quixote: Boy of Nuevo Jersey is the first she's published, and more are on the way.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 15, 2012
Dan Quixote-Boy of Nuevo Jersey
Shevi Arnold
Published by Play Along Media, LLC
Shevi Arnold, 2004
http://playalongmedia.com
http://shevi.blogspot.com
ISBN 13# 978-1936242030,paperback, $5.99
ISBN 10# 1936242030, Digital, .99 cents
Review by Christina Francine
[email protected]
Friendship, freedom, and bullies. These are what young people in their adolescent years think about. Adolescence is a time when the opinion of peers is more important than parents’. Arnold knows this and weaves her story, and her eighth-grade characters, around these topics, using humor to soften the seriousness.
Dan and Sandy have been friends for most of their lives and often share the same classes, hurdles, and viewpoints. Sandy sees herself as Dan’s sidekick, his squire, his troubadour, like Don Quixote’s companion, Sancho Panza. Both Dan and Sandy face the history teacher known as “The Dragon,” the class bully known as “The Queen Bee,” and Gwen, Dan’s object of affection.
Dan and Sandy struggle with The Queen Bee because she tries to rule them as she does most of the eighth-grade and is always surrounded by her “drones.” They wonder why many adults accept bullying as a right of passage. It’s dangerous and they feel treated unfairly. Sandy decides to become a judge when she grows up. Then, if The Queen Bee did to Dan what she did, she could be arrested for assault. The Queen Bee could also be sued for libel for defiling Dan’s reputation by spreading nasty rumors about him.
Dan becomes known as the “Geek King” because of The Queen Bee. At one point, he finally has enough and stands up to both The Queen Bee and The Dragon in the most surprising way.
Sandy addresses her English class one day, even though she’s normally quiet. Maybe Dan’s bravery was contagious. Sandy talks about Robert Frost’s poem called, “The Road Not Taken.” She talks about how it takes courage to take the road less traveled. Sandy goes on to say that Dan has taken the road less traveled and isn’t worried about what others think, even though they make fun of him. They try to take from him that which makes him special, she adds. In reality, Sandy explains, those who don’t take the road less traveled are actually jealous and wish they were brave. The real losers, Sandy says, “lose the chance to become the greatest possible” people they could have become, because they took the safer road.
Sandy worries that Dan’s feelings for Gwen might come between them. After a few misunderstandings, Sandy realizes that no matter what happens, Dan is and will always be her friend.
Arnold approaches the difficult world of middle-school with a light approach. Her story is an accurate profile for those who’ve forgotten what it’s like at this age, how serious problems at this age can be, and how friendship can help. Dan Quixote questions the fairness of, “Bullying as a right of passage.” We all know that if adults don’t help young people, they’ll feel powerless and possibly do something drastic. After all, democracy gives Americans the right to be who they are no matter what their age is. A delightful story. Important. Strongly recommended.
Shevi Arnold
Published by Play Along Media, LLC
Shevi Arnold, 2004
http://playalongmedia.com
http://shevi.blogspot.com
ISBN 13# 978-1936242030,paperback, $5.99
ISBN 10# 1936242030, Digital, .99 cents
Review by Christina Francine
[email protected]
Friendship, freedom, and bullies. These are what young people in their adolescent years think about. Adolescence is a time when the opinion of peers is more important than parents’. Arnold knows this and weaves her story, and her eighth-grade characters, around these topics, using humor to soften the seriousness.
Dan and Sandy have been friends for most of their lives and often share the same classes, hurdles, and viewpoints. Sandy sees herself as Dan’s sidekick, his squire, his troubadour, like Don Quixote’s companion, Sancho Panza. Both Dan and Sandy face the history teacher known as “The Dragon,” the class bully known as “The Queen Bee,” and Gwen, Dan’s object of affection.
Dan and Sandy struggle with The Queen Bee because she tries to rule them as she does most of the eighth-grade and is always surrounded by her “drones.” They wonder why many adults accept bullying as a right of passage. It’s dangerous and they feel treated unfairly. Sandy decides to become a judge when she grows up. Then, if The Queen Bee did to Dan what she did, she could be arrested for assault. The Queen Bee could also be sued for libel for defiling Dan’s reputation by spreading nasty rumors about him.
Dan becomes known as the “Geek King” because of The Queen Bee. At one point, he finally has enough and stands up to both The Queen Bee and The Dragon in the most surprising way.
Sandy addresses her English class one day, even though she’s normally quiet. Maybe Dan’s bravery was contagious. Sandy talks about Robert Frost’s poem called, “The Road Not Taken.” She talks about how it takes courage to take the road less traveled. Sandy goes on to say that Dan has taken the road less traveled and isn’t worried about what others think, even though they make fun of him. They try to take from him that which makes him special, she adds. In reality, Sandy explains, those who don’t take the road less traveled are actually jealous and wish they were brave. The real losers, Sandy says, “lose the chance to become the greatest possible” people they could have become, because they took the safer road.
Sandy worries that Dan’s feelings for Gwen might come between them. After a few misunderstandings, Sandy realizes that no matter what happens, Dan is and will always be her friend.
Arnold approaches the difficult world of middle-school with a light approach. Her story is an accurate profile for those who’ve forgotten what it’s like at this age, how serious problems at this age can be, and how friendship can help. Dan Quixote questions the fairness of, “Bullying as a right of passage.” We all know that if adults don’t help young people, they’ll feel powerless and possibly do something drastic. After all, democracy gives Americans the right to be who they are no matter what their age is. A delightful story. Important. Strongly recommended.
August 8, 2011
In Dan Quixote Boy of Nuevo Jersey, Shevi Arnold addresses the delicate issues of teenage bullying, peer pressure and romance with subtlety and a touch of humor. Sandy and Dan have been friends for as long as they can remember. Sandy, down-to-earth aspiring lawyer is always behind Dan the dreamer to pick up the pieces after he messes up. When things get out of hand with Miss Fallon the Dragon and Jade the bully, Sandy and Dan team up to make things right for their friends. They even manage to reform the Dragon.
We've all had a Jade and a Miss Fallon in our lives. Without being preachy, Shevi Arnold speaks to young readers and tells them it's all right to be different and take the less traveled path in life.
We've all had a Jade and a Miss Fallon in our lives. Without being preachy, Shevi Arnold speaks to young readers and tells them it's all right to be different and take the less traveled path in life.
August 20, 2011
I have to confess that I’ve never really read Middle Grade books, but I thought it was time to explore them a little, considering that my eldest child is heading towards that age bracket and it won’t be long before she starts having her own taste in books. I had no idea what to expect going in, but Dan Quixote pleasantly surprised me.
From the blurb I expected that Dan would be the narrator of the story, however, it’s actually Sandy whose point of view the story is told from. She is the long suffering best friend who loves Dan, as a mate of course, and while she might roll her eyes at his belief in fiction, she is willing to stand by his side as he goes on his adventures.
The story line seemed really fitting for the age group and deals with the difficult subject of bullying from both a fellow student, as well as a teacher who likes to make life difficult for everyone in her class. I think it’s an important topic for kids of all ages, even adults, and one that I haven’t seen dealt with so well in awhile. I think Arnold brings a light touch to the topic, one that provides a great example for kids to follow.
The main characters were all really neat kids, unique and true to themselves, trying to find their place in the world. I felt like the author handled that angle well, by showing how important it is to be who you are and that following the crowd isn’t necessarily going to mean you are happy – being you is what will bring you happiness, once you’ve accepted who you are.
Jade, the bullying character, was the only one who seemed a little out of place. It felt to me like she was a little older than the others, or at least quite advanced in her bullying skills. She was a great villain, as was the Dragon, who had her own things going on – I liked that the story showed that sometimes there are reasons behind why a person acts the way they do, and that perhaps if you take the time to find those out, you can make a difference.
Another positive was the way a boy/girl friendship played such a central focus to the story, while not being a romantic relationship at all. I like seeing boys and girls being just friends.
So, I guess to sum it up there are a lot of great messages in this book, delivered in an amusing story without being preachy or too in your face. I think it would definitely appeal to the middle grade reader, and even as an adult I found things to like. I will probably read this with my eldest in the near future.
From the blurb I expected that Dan would be the narrator of the story, however, it’s actually Sandy whose point of view the story is told from. She is the long suffering best friend who loves Dan, as a mate of course, and while she might roll her eyes at his belief in fiction, she is willing to stand by his side as he goes on his adventures.
The story line seemed really fitting for the age group and deals with the difficult subject of bullying from both a fellow student, as well as a teacher who likes to make life difficult for everyone in her class. I think it’s an important topic for kids of all ages, even adults, and one that I haven’t seen dealt with so well in awhile. I think Arnold brings a light touch to the topic, one that provides a great example for kids to follow.
The main characters were all really neat kids, unique and true to themselves, trying to find their place in the world. I felt like the author handled that angle well, by showing how important it is to be who you are and that following the crowd isn’t necessarily going to mean you are happy – being you is what will bring you happiness, once you’ve accepted who you are.
Jade, the bullying character, was the only one who seemed a little out of place. It felt to me like she was a little older than the others, or at least quite advanced in her bullying skills. She was a great villain, as was the Dragon, who had her own things going on – I liked that the story showed that sometimes there are reasons behind why a person acts the way they do, and that perhaps if you take the time to find those out, you can make a difference.
Another positive was the way a boy/girl friendship played such a central focus to the story, while not being a romantic relationship at all. I like seeing boys and girls being just friends.
So, I guess to sum it up there are a lot of great messages in this book, delivered in an amusing story without being preachy or too in your face. I think it would definitely appeal to the middle grade reader, and even as an adult I found things to like. I will probably read this with my eldest in the near future.
September 30, 2011
Dan Quixote: Boy of Nuevo Jersey by Shevi Arnold, a former cartoonist, comedy writer, arts and entertainment writer for a newspaper in Jerusalem, where she studied and lived for a number of years, has written an entertaining middle grade novel based on the story of Don Quixote, acknowledged as the first modern novel. An idealistic and romantic male who saw the world as he wanted it to be, and not necessarily how it was, the original Don is most remembered as a male whose positive outlook and belief in others had a life-changing effect on those around him. Ms. Arnold’s fiction tries to do the same.
The American eighth grade hero Dan Quixote faces his own modern windmills, bullies in the person of a Queen Bee named Jade and her popularity wannabees , and a teacher, who seems intent on flunking all those around her. His Sancho Panza sidekick is the more practical Sandra Day Goldberg, an aspiring lawyer, who remains his best friend even when he develops a crush on his own Dulcinea named Gwen.
Although the main characters and their behavior appeared somewhat as caricatures and a bit innocent by today’s standards, and I would have liked to see more character development, especially on the part of the bully Jade, the main character Dan Tyler, whose Dad died tragically when Dan was still young, and his best friend Sandy, are highly likeable and the plot was surprising and well-presented. An explanation for the behavior of the tyrannical teacher, nicknamed the Dragon, was handled well. The bullies and their rule by fear were also realistically portrayed.
All in all, this book was a very entertaining and easy read, and although many students might need some background information, as the original novel itself is usually not taught until college, the book would make an excellent introduction to one of the most important Spanish classics.
Four stars
Mary Lou Cassotto
School Librarian, and Past Vice-President of the Connecticut Association of School Librarians
The American eighth grade hero Dan Quixote faces his own modern windmills, bullies in the person of a Queen Bee named Jade and her popularity wannabees , and a teacher, who seems intent on flunking all those around her. His Sancho Panza sidekick is the more practical Sandra Day Goldberg, an aspiring lawyer, who remains his best friend even when he develops a crush on his own Dulcinea named Gwen.
Although the main characters and their behavior appeared somewhat as caricatures and a bit innocent by today’s standards, and I would have liked to see more character development, especially on the part of the bully Jade, the main character Dan Tyler, whose Dad died tragically when Dan was still young, and his best friend Sandy, are highly likeable and the plot was surprising and well-presented. An explanation for the behavior of the tyrannical teacher, nicknamed the Dragon, was handled well. The bullies and their rule by fear were also realistically portrayed.
All in all, this book was a very entertaining and easy read, and although many students might need some background information, as the original novel itself is usually not taught until college, the book would make an excellent introduction to one of the most important Spanish classics.
Four stars
Mary Lou Cassotto
School Librarian, and Past Vice-President of the Connecticut Association of School Librarians
March 15, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. I liked the fact that it was about kids sticking up for themselves and the issues they believe in. I liked that Dan was a dreamer and Sandy was a realist. I think they complimented each other. The Dragon reminded me of some of my history teachers in the past. It was very well written and articulate and there were awww moments as well as moments that had you laughing. I think any kid would enjoy this book because it shows that there is nothing wrong in sticking up for yourself or your dreams.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews