Jeremy yearns for the expensive striped high-top sneakers that most of the boys in his class, black and white alike, wear. But his kind yet firm grandmother says, "There's no room for 'want' around here -- just 'need,'" and when his old shoes fall apart at school, he has to wear what's available: a pair of sneakers with babyish Velcro from the guidance counselor's box of extras. Though humiliated, Jeremy works hard to keep things in perspective ("I'm not going to cry about any dumb shoes"), but when he spots a pair of the prized shoes in a resale shop, he buys them even though they are much too small. Jones uses watercolor, pencils, and ink to depict a multiethnic urban neighborhood. The first spread, which shows a gigantic "Buy these shoes" poster looming over small Jeremy, conveys the enormous pressures on children who don't have as much money as their classmates. At the same time, both Boelts and Jones show that even though Jeremy's family lacks disposable income -- and, presumably, live-in parents -- he is secure and loved. Whether children are on the shoe-owning or the shoe-envying side of the economic line, they can sympathize with Jeremy and rejoice in the way he eventually resolves his problem with his too-small shoes.

The hottest fad can also be the most expensive and out of reach for children in limited financial circumstances. Jeremy, living with his Grandma, dreams of wearing the latest cool black high-tops with two white stripes. But as Grandma points out, "There's no room for 'want' around here--just 'need' " and what Jeremy needs and gets is a new pair of winter boots. Jeremy's quest for new sneakers takes on more urgency when his old pair fall apart, and the only choice is the Velcro baby-blue set meant for little kids found in the school's donation box by the guidance counselor. Even Grandma understands and together they search several thrift shops and actually find the coveted black high-tops, but they're too small. Buying them anyway, Jeremy makes a heartfelt decision to put them to a more practical and generous use. Boelts blends themes of teasing, embarrassment and disappointment with kindness and generosity in a realistic interracial school scenario bringing affecting closure to a little boy's effort to cope in a world filled with materialistic attractions and distractions. Muted browns/greens/blues done in watercolors, pencils and ink, and digitally arranged, add to the story's expressive affirmation of what is really important. (Picture book. 6-9)

Peer pressure, overwhelming desire, and the acceptance of what is really needed are played out in this story that is duplicated in schools across the country. Jeremy wants the hot new sneakers so much that he dreams of them. It seems like everyone else is getting those new sneakers and showing them off. Unfortunately, Grandma tells him he needs new winter boots not sneakers. Things get worse for Jeremy when his sneakers fall apart and his school guidance counselor gives him a new pair with Velcro and superheroes. Everyone, except Antonio, laughs at his sneakers. A trip to thrift stores yields a pair of sneakers that Jeremy purchases with his own money even though they are too small. Try as he might Jeremy cannot make his feet fit in the sneakers so they stay in his room. As Jeremy spends time with Antonio he discovers that his sneakers are falling apart and his feet are smaller than Jeremy's. In the end, Jeremy gives his sneakers to Antonio who needs them more than Jeremy wants them. The illustrations are colorful and appealing. Dealing with a situation that is widespread, but seldom discussed, this book will find a place in library collections. Recommended. Christine Markley, Librarian, Washington Elementary, Barto, Pennsylvania

K-Gr 3-Jeremy desperately wants a pair of advertised sneakers. "I have dreams about those shoes. Black high-tops. Two white stripes." In fact, some of his classmates already own them. However, money is tight, and his grandmother reminds him that there is a difference between what he wants and what he needs (he needs winter boots). He buys with his own money a used pair of the cool sneakers even though they are too small, saying "sometimes shoes stretch," but ends up with bandage-covered feet. This story exposes the value many children place on wearing the same cool clothing as or fitting in with the in-crowd; however, a message of generosity shines through when Jeremy gives his prized sneakers to a friend in need who has smaller feet. Illustrations done in pencil, ink, and watercolors effectively depict the grays and browns of the wintertime inner-city setting, the institutional greens and blues of the school, and the warm hues of this African-American home. The characters' faces, drawn with thin lines, wide-set eyes, and a variety of skin tones, are expressive. A poignant, thought-provoking book.-Kirsten Cutler, Sonoma County Library, CA Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.