Sing a Song of Tuna Fish (ISBN 0307206483)

Some Fishy Tales...:
Esme Raji Codell has created a terrific memoir of her growing up years that is a fun and satisfying read. Coupled with the audio CD of her reading of Sing a Song of Tuna Fish, we have a complete take on her pre-teen years, filled with zany characters and wonderful sights and sounds. Codell uses wonderful sensory images of her urban neighborhood, recollections of pranks played, characterizations of her parents and friends that bring them to life for the reader. She has a fun and funny way with words. Each vignette from her past starts the same way. "Let me tell you something about..." becomes the beginning of each remembrance... a simple but effective hook that reels in the reader. This is a good book to use for quick mini-lessons in reader's or writer's workshop as there are so many good examples of the writer's craft to point to and discuss. The one problem with the audio version is a glitch in the production. Some of the reading is out of sync with the written version and needs to be corrected before any more CD's are sold.

Entertainment for adults and kids alike!:
I picked up this recording knowing little about it, but my twin 8 year olds and I had a long car trip so we thought we'd give it a try. I think my husband and I enjoyed it as much as the girls! The stories are heartfelt and genuine - no sugar coating here - and they ring true to the core. Her ability to describe places and people is exceptional - it puts you right there and the setting is as much a character as the people. Sometimes you just can't believe what Esme and her family do next! I now want to get a coppy of the book - I wonder if I will love it as much without Esme's enthusiastic and funny reading. There is nothing better than an author reading her own material - particularly one as witty and fun-loving as this one. I suggest it highly!