Book Review: 17 Things I'm Not Allowed To Do Anymore

17 Things I'm Not Allowed to Do Anymore by Jenny Offill

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Full of ideas about sisterly antagonism, beaverish obsession, and go-your-own-wayness (that would be to school, backwards), one kid manages to learn the wrong lessons from the angry, worried, or baffled adults who must follow in her wake.

Carpenter enhances her pen and ink illustrations by replacing some elements of the drawing with photographed versions of the offending objects: a stapler, cauliflower, a one-dollar bill featuring a portrait of a beaver. This focuses the eye in a way which is similar to an adult's reminiscence of a childhood memory, so much so in fact that a second reading may be required to notice the innocent, beleaguered, and occasionally guileful face of this heir-to-Ramona herself.

The repeated "I had an idea to ... . I am not allowed to ... anymore" works well for ELLs and easily lends itself to a ”17 More Things" writing assignment.



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