What Hearts facts for kids
 |
|
| Author | Bruce Brooks |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's literature |
|
Publication date
|
October 1, 1992 |
| Awards | John Newbery Medal |
What Hearts is a children's novel written by Bruce Brooks. It was published in 1992 and won a Newbery Honor award. The book tells four connected stories about a boy named Asa. He is 12 years old and faces many changes as he grows up. Each story shows a different challenge Asa deals with during his childhood.
Contents
The Story of Asa's Childhood
This book shares four important moments in Asa's life. Each part shows how he learns to handle new situations.
Asa's Early Years and Family Changes
When Asa is in first grade, he comes home with perfect grades. He also brings radishes he grew himself. But then, he learns that his parents are getting a divorce. Asa and his mother move to live with her new boyfriend, Dave. Asa finds it hard to get along with Dave. Dave is not very kind to him. Later, they all move to Dave's home in North Carolina.
School Days and a Special Poem
In the second story, Asa is in fourth grade. He has made many friends at his new school. His mother is now married to Dave. Asa still struggles to accept Dave as his stepfather. One day, Asa and his friend Joel are asked to recite a poem. The poem is called "Little Blue Boy." Asa does not like this poem. He plans to recite a different, longer poem called "The Highwayman." Joel agrees to learn this harder poem with him.
At first, Joel is excited about the new poem. But he finds it very hard to remember the lines. Joel's mother and Asa decide that Asa should recite the poem alone. Joel's mother takes him away, not knowing Asa will be by himself. On the day of the recital, Joel suddenly shows up. To save their friendship, Asa quickly switches back to "Little Blue Boy." Joel remembers this poem perfectly, and they recite it together.
A Big Move and Missing Baseball
Another important event happens when Asa is eleven. He wants to play Little League Baseball. He practices for weeks with his mother and stepfather. The day before his tryout, his mother has a very difficult time. She is feeling very sad and needs help. It is later explained that she is struggling with her feelings. Because of this, the family moves to Raleigh. Asa misses his chance to play baseball that year.
First Love and New Beginnings
In the fourth story, Asa is in seventh grade. He has liked Jean, a classmate, since fifth grade. They finally become friends. Asa tells Jean that he likes her. When he gets home that day, he learns more big news. His mother and Dave are separating, and he and his mother will move again.
The next day, Jean tells Asa she likes him too. She gives him two candy hearts that say "I love you, I love you." But then she finds out Asa is moving away. Asa calls Jean later on the phone. Jean pretends that nothing special happened between them. When Asa mentions the candy hearts, Jean asks, "What Hearts?" Asa then realizes that life is always changing. He understands that he must learn to adapt to these changes.
Meet the Characters
Here are the main characters you will meet in What Hearts:
- Asa: He is the main character of the book. Asa goes through many big changes in his life. He learns how to deal with new situations as he grows up.
- Asa's Mother: She has a difficult relationship with Asa's father. Later, she also struggles with Dave, Asa's stepfather. She experiences times when she feels very sad.
- Dave: Dave was Asa's mother's childhood friend. She marries him after divorcing Asa's father. Dave is not very kind and does not get along well with Asa.
- Joel: Joel is Asa's good friend when Asa is in fourth grade.
- Jean: Jean is a girl Asa likes. She is his classmate from fifth grade. Asa finally tells her how he feels when they are in seventh grade.
Awards and Recognition
What Hearts received several awards and honors:
- 1993 Newbery Honor
- 1993 ALA Notable Books for Children
- 1993 Best Books for Young Adults (ALA)
- 1993 (The Horn Book) Fanfare Honor List
- 1993 Teachers' Choices (IRA)
- 1993 Books for the Teen Age (NY Public Library)
