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| 192 pages, Softcover |
| $1 per sale benefits the Hollidaysburg
Area YMCA |
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| Click on the links below to read about... |
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THE STORY
THE CHARACTERS
THE ILLUSTRATIONS
DISCUSSION TOPICS RAISED
THE NEWSPAPER SERIAL
HOW TO GET THE BOOK |
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| THE STORY |
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If you're ever disappointed with yourself,
imagine how Jimmy Gimmy feels! |
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His
family is in the bubble gum business, but he can't blow a bubble. His father plays Big
League Baseball, but he's the weakest player on his team. He can't handle the local bully
nearly as well as the girl next door can. Worst of all, he has a strange habit of taking
things apart without realizing it—and it keeps causing problems! Even when things start looking up, Jimmy finds plenty to worry
about—his great-uncle's experiments, his grandfather's business enemies, his dad's
batting average, a mysterious snooper, and especially, his very important secret project.
When calamity finally does strike, he has to face an entirely new set of
difficulties—the many dangers of Burkey Run! |
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| THE
CHARACTERS |
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JIMMY
is a 10-year-old who battles disappointment over all the things he can't do: blow gum
bubbles, play baseball, defend himself against a bully, and control his troublesome habit
of taking things apart. TRIZZA is a
10-year-old physical marvel who encourages Jimmy and helps him meet the biggest challenge
of his life.
GRIMPA, Jimmy's grandfather, is very
supportive of Jimmy but also very excitable and demanding as he leads his bubble gum
company toward its golden anniversary.
WHIM, Jimmy's great-uncle, is struggling to
continue producing laboratory innovations for the gum company, but stubbornly refuses to
accept help.
MARIA is Jimmy's very loving mother, a
calming influence on everyone around her.
TIM is Jimmy's father, devoted to his family
even as he makes headlines as a professional baseball player.
MURK is a bully to end all bullies.
BIG STICK is Grimpa's fierce business rival,
consumed with bitterness reaching back half a century.
LULU is a bubbly new friend who supports
Jimmy's ambitious secret project.
SPYRO is the odd but enthusiastic assistant
that Whim never wanted.
THE MYSTERY SKATEBOARDER is the wheeled whiz
who keeps making unexpected appearances and miraculous escapes.
OTTO is a young scientist eager to work with
Whim.
SSASSI is a felonious but frustrated feline. |
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| DISCUSSION
TOPICS RAISED |
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PERSONAL TOPICS
- Dealing with personal limitations, such as lack of ability in
sports or singing
- Accepting oncoming retirement
- Developing one's natural abilities
- Dealing with a bully
- Holding a grudge
- Family life with a parent who is frequently away from home
because of his profession
- Keeping a secret.
- Persevering toward a goal despite doubts and difficulty
- Excessive worrying and feelings of guilt
- Private feelings of affection toward others
- Taking risks
SPORTS TOPICS
- Showing respect for officials
- Developing young players
- Staying positive when facing difficult competition and
disappointments during games
- Practicing fundamentals and studying game situations
- Knowing and following rules
- Fan behavior
- Keeping individual achievements in perspective when playing on
a team
- Experiencing a slump in performance
BUSINESS TOPICS
- Product development and naming
- Promotions and advertising, including promotional characters,
events and slogans
- Product packaging
- Press releases
- Public relations
- Meeting deadlines
- Dealing with setbacks
- Competition
- Interviewing and hiring
- Industrial spying
MINOR TOPICS
- Central American culture
- Signs of concussion
- The unusual range of hearing of some animals
- Martial arts
- The impact of being famous
- Planning a complicated project
- Algebra
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| ILLUSTRATIONS |
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The authors are also the illustrators!
Enjoy the previews below from the newspaper serial.
The interior book illustrations are black only. |
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| EEK!NOWLEDGMENTS |
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The book exists because of many different people. These include:
The Ziolkowski family and their
lifetime project, the Crazy Horse Memorial (see www.crazyhorse.org),
which inspired Team EEK's own crazy dream of doing something big together.
Bobby Johnson, big brother of
the "Killer E's," who persevered with an Altoona Mirror newspaper route for six
years, eventually passing it on to E, E and K.
Kirk Barker, Altoona Mirror
Circulation Manager, who enthusiastically relayed the idea from Team EEK! about presenting
a potential serial to the Mirror.
Ray Eckenrode, Altoona Mirror
General Manager, who liked the story! And didn't mind having initial business meetings
that included squirming boys!
Dan Slep, Tom Worthington and Margaret
Moses of the Altoona Mirror, who helped bring the serial to life.
Ed Kruger, Altoona Mirror
Publisher, who kindly let the whole project roll along.
Ben Stapelfeld and Nino
Vella of New Pig Corporation, who counseled wisely.
All the Altoona Mirror readers who
faithfully followed the story, including over 1,700 local students and teachers.
Rachel DiAndrea, Tony Zahn and
others at www.theprinters.com, who helped produce
a fine volume.
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THE
NEWSPAPER SERIAL |
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Jimmy Gimmy and the Raid on Burkey Run ran as a
weekly serial in the Altoona Mirror on Thursdays from September 9, 2004, through
May 26, 2005.
Click here to see the advertisement for the
serial
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HOW TO GET THE
BOOK
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only $12.95
$15.15 with tax and shipping library price $10 Includes shipping info on book
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FROM THE AUTHORS
At all Team EEK! appearances
or call 814-695-7631
FROM THE PUBLISHER
Altoona Mirror building, 301 Cayuga Avenue, Altoona
BY MAIL
Click here for order form
ONLINE
Amazon.com
STORES
The Bookstore
Altoona, Bedford, Huntingdon
McIntyre's Candies
Altoona, Hollidaysburg
PUBLIC LIBRARIES
Hollidaysburg Area
Williamsburg
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