Parents' Guide to

The View From Saturday

By Cindy Kane, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 11+

Brilliant but complex novel for older kids.

Book E. L. Konigsburg Friendship 1996
The View From Saturday Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

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age 15+

Based on 5 parent reviews

sgee
sgee Adult
September 28, 2021
age 14+

Not for us

On page 2 “Both maxwell boys’ voices had deepened and the girls displayed lacy bra straps inside their T-shirt necklines. The fact the necklines were outsized and the two pairs of straps matched—they were apricot-colored—made Mrs. Olinski believe that they were not making a fashion statement as much as they were trying to say something. To her sixth grader puberty was something they could spell and define but had yet to experience” UMM what? Why is a teacher talking about students (8th graders) bras and what they may be suggesting by the straps showing.. this is grooming. This is telling a child it’s normal for my teacher to notice my underwear and think I’m suggesting something with it. Not only is it so common it’s in a book it’s in a school approved book so it must be ok. page 8 says grandma Sadie said “Nathan, how can you stand playing the same piece over and over again?” And grandpa Nate answered “why don’t you ask me how I can stand making love to the same woman over and over again?” This book online says for 4th-6th grade.. I don’t think and 8 year old over any aged child needs to have the image of grandpa unhappily having sex with grandma in their head. The negative tone is also not reinforcing a healthy relationship. Page 17 says “even before izzy stopped kissing the bride I knew what I could do. (Fact: it was a long and thorough kiss)” again it’s suggestive imagery for a child to imagine what a long and thorough kiss may be.. I know I’m my mind I saw a couple French kissing. I stopped reading because this was enough for me to choose not to allow my child to read farther.. it concerns me if this is on page 2,8 and 17 what will be on farther pages.. I read it cusses and uses slurs as well but I didn’t read and find them. This book is in the 9-11 grade curriculum from Moving Beyond the Page. I do not think any sexual content belongs in a child’s curriculum. If someone want to buy it for their child knowing the content fine but it shouldn’t be being used in public schools and it is. How far is too far. Not all children are ready for talk like this at 8,9,10 or beyond. The problem isn’t the kids who are ready it’s the kids who aren’t and are having it forced on them in school. Many parents have no idea what their kids are reading in class. So to protect families moral values we shouldn’t allow sexual content in LA class.

This title has:

Too much sex
Too much swearing
5 people found this helpful.
Esther C.
Esther C. Parent of 11, 13 and 16-year-old
January 11, 2023
age 14+

Meh

Snoozeville. I don't require non-stop action, but this really is a boring book. Additionally, it's a bit confusing for younger readers since it switches back and forth on the timeline. In the end I was left wondering, why did I read this?
1 person found this helpful.
See all 5 parent reviews

What's the Story?

An uproarious Florida wedding, a rain-soaked rescue of sea turtles, and a mysterious invitation to afternoon tea are the connections that draw sixth-graders Noah, Nadia, Ethan, and Julian into a fast friendship. Master-author Konigsburg gives each of these memorable characters a turn telling how they formed an unbeatable team in their school's Academic Bowl, in this brilliant but complex novel.

When asked how she chose her school's latest team for the Academic Bowl, sixth-grade teacher Mrs. Olinksi never gives the same answer twice. Sure, the four sixth-graders from her homeroom are intelligent, they work well together, they practice hard. But what is the mysterious bond that links these four underdogs?

Only Noah, Nadia, Ethan, and Julian know -- and in alternating chapters, each one tells a different piece of the story of how they became friends. The calamitous wedding of Nadia's grandfather and Ethan's grandmother, where Noah fills in as best man, is just the beginning. Mrs. Olinski, a paraplegic, proves to be an indomitable coach as the foursome wins one victory after another.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (5 ):
Kids say (46 ):

Konigsburg weaves all the elements together into a satisfying and thought-provoking whole, though one so intricately constructed that it may be confusing to inexperienced readers.

Nadia, Noah, Ethan, and Julian each narrates a part of the book. Part of the pleasure comes from watching the foursome's varied life experiences help them succeed as an Academic Bowl Team, and part comes from the suspense generated at the story's beginning: How does Mrs. Olinski select the children for her team? The story's themes -- that life is a journey, that no part of our experience is lost -- appear in touches as varied as Nadia's talented dog, Julian's shipboard apprenticeship with a magician, and sea-turtle lore.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about friendship. How do the Souls work together?

Book Details

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