Jamaica's Blue Marker by Juanita Havill, Anne Sibley O'Brien (Illustrator)

From the Publisher

Jamaica was friends with everyone in school - except for Russell. No wonder: Russell was a mean brat. When they had art class, Russell borrowed her markers and spoiled her picture. At recess, he threw sand and chased little kids. Jamaica certainly wasn't sorry to learn that Russell was going to move away. She didn't even want to make a card for him, the way the others in her class were doing. But then something happened to change her mind . . .

Children's Literature

Jamaica takes pride in her drawing in art class. Then the teacher comes along and asks Jamaica to lend her markers to Russell, the class troublemaker. Reluctantly she complies with the teacher's request. Then Russell takes the blue marker she was forced to give him, and scribbles all over her perfect drawing! Jamaica cannot tolerate this "mean brat." When she learns that Russell and his family are moving, she is glad for her own sake. As she sees it, he does not deserve a good-bye card from her. But Jamaica learns that kindness, not rejection, is what Russell needs. O'Brien's soft, realistic illustrations highlight the innocence depicted in this story.

Children's Literature

Sometimes young girls can learn by seeing a story child work through a difficulty. Jamaica, probably the most realistically drawn character in children's literature, stars in her fourth adventure. As usual, Jamaica has feelings and they aren't pretty. In this story, Jamaica's problems erupt with Russell. She's angry because he doesn't have any markers and she has to share hers. Sitting beside Russell, she criticizes his scribbled drawing, and in response, he turns his blue marker on her fall tree picture. By the story's end, Jamaica's insights erase the uglier feelings she had and she becomes wiser about trying to understand the feelings of others.

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2-Jamaica is not thrilled about having to share her blue marker with Russell. He never has the supplies he needs, and this time he takes the marker and draws all over her picture. The next day, she discovers that he is moving. With the help of her father, she begins to understand that her classmate is mean because he is unhappy about leaving and gives him her blue marker to remember her by. Havill once again captures important events in the lives of young children through the kind and thoughtful Jamaica. Through an everyday occurrence, she learns a strong lesson about feelings-her own as well as others'. O'Brien's full-page watercolor illustrations feature a multiethnic classroom and beautifully reflect the expressions and moods of the main characters.-Helen Rosenberg, Chicago Public Library, IL

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