Synopses & Reviews
Move over, Junie B. Jones and Ivy and Bean! Here comes a lovably energetic little sister with a BIG personalityand an imagination to match! As the youngest in her family, Dory really wants attention, and more than anything she wants her brother and sister to play with her. But shes too much of a baby for them, so shes left to her own devicesincluding her wild imagination and untiring energy. Her siblings may roll their eyes at her childish games, but Dory has lots of things to do: outsmarting the monsters all over the house, escaping from prison (aka time-out), and exacting revenge on her sisters favorite doll. And when they really need her, daring Dory will prove her bravery, and finally get exactly what she has been looking for.
With plenty of pictures bursting with charm and character, this hilarious book about an irresistible rascal is the new must-read for the chapter book set.
Review
Just Grace and the Terrible Tutu on our Fall 2010 list
Just Grace and the Snack Attack
"New characters, such as the hyperactive "Owen 1," keep the story fresh, but readers will most enjoy Grace's angst-ridden first-person narrative, delivered with her usual comic touch. Cartoon illustrations (and directions for creating a zine) enliven the text and help to showcase Grace's artistic talent." --Booklist
"[R]eaders will appreciate her straightforward, honest discussion of strong emotions they'll be sure to relate to." --Horn Book
Just Grace Goes Green
"Girls who are settling into chapter book series featuring Clementine and Judy Moody will love the fast pace and familiar school and family situations. . . . Harpers sketches add interest and break up the text, leaving the new reader time to pause and smile. "-Horn Book
Just Grace Walks the Dog
"Graces cartoon illustrations and charts enliven the conversational, first-person text. . .Her ruminations about the ways that peopleand animalsmay not be what they seem will provide both entertainment and food for thought for a wide range of readers."Kirkus Reviews
"Harper has created a quick enjoyable read in this third 'Grace' book."Library Media Connection
Still Just Grace
"Harper's strength is her understanding of third-grade angst...she explores with a comic touch...Suggest this reassuring look at friendship and family to fans of Judy Moody and Clementine." Booklist
"Dealing with the problems of friendship and change in a lively way...a good addition to the middle-grade shelves." School Library Journal
Just Grace
Booksense Summer Selection 2007
"The kids come alive in the story, and Harper, the author of several previous books, including the graphic novel Fashion Kitty (2005), enhances the comical goings-on with sparkling cartoon sketches. Equally delightful is the wry voice of energetic Just Grace, who never misses an opportunity to point out the injustices life has dealt her. Shes a hero through and through. Give this to fans of Ann Nagdas Meow Means Mischief (2003) or anyone looking for a funny book." Booklist, starred review
"Grace is a funny, mischievous protagonist who should easily find a place in the pantheon of precocious third graders. Fans of Amber Brown, Clementine, and Judy Moody will love her." School Library Journal
Review
"This book is AMAZING! Perfection of tone, plot, pacing, art, you name it... In a word, fantastico." -Betsy Bird, A Fuse 8 Production Blog
"...this inventive child is irresistible...Charming, funny, true to life." -Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"Time spent with Dory is time well spent." -Publishers Weekly, starred review
Review
"This title can be read alone and will win new fans, while long-standing fans will cheer. Just Grace continues to be just delightful."
and#8212;Kirkus
"Harper succeeds in capturing the classroom dynamics as well as the ups and downs of the characters' emotions."
and#8212;Booklist Online
Review
"Gooney Bird doesn't need much help putting herself on the map. She'll be famous for years to come."-Kirkus
"In this fifth book in the series, Lowry deals with the ticklish classroom issue of students gloating about vacations. She (and Mrs. Pidgeon and Gooney Bird) handle it well, helping young readers reflect on the competitive chatter that often strains the fabric of a class right before holidays."-Horn Bookand#160;
"Witty and perceptive in equal measure, the book features fine-tuned dialogue, kid-friendly illustrations, and a strongly realized classroom setting." -Booklist
Review
"Engaging."and#8212;Booklist
Synopsis
This New York Times bestselling chapter book series has been keeping readers engaged and laughing for more than a decade with over one million copies sold
Clementine is NOT having a good week.
On Monday she's sent to the principal's office for cutting off Margaret's hair. On Tuesday, Margaret's mother is mad at her. On Wednesday, she's sent to the principal, again. On Thursday, Margaret stops speaking to her. Then Friday starts with yucky eggs and only gets worse. And by Saturday, even her mother is mad at her.
Okay, fine. Clementine is having a DISASTROUS week. But maybe can she find a way to make it better.
Synopsis
This delightful New York Times bestselling chapter book series, from the award-winning author of Pax, is a modern classic that has been keeping readers engaged and laughing as they follow the hijinks of Clementine, a clever and quirky third grader who's the most spectacular friend around. Perfect for fans of Amelia Bedelia and Ivy + Bean Clementine is NOT having a good week.
On Monday she's sent to the principal's office for cutting off Margaret's hair. On Tuesday, Margaret's mother is mad at her. On Wednesday, she's sent to the principal, again. On Thursday, Margaret stops speaking to her. Then Friday starts with yucky eggs and only gets worse. And by Saturday, even her mother is mad at her.
Okay, fine. Clementine is having a DISASTROUS week. But maybe she can find a way to make it better.
READ MORE
The Talented Clementine
Clementine's Letter
Clementine, Friend of the Week
Clementine and the Family Meeting
Clementine and the Spring Trip
Completely Clementine
Synopsis
Clementine is having not so good of a week.
- On Monday she's sent to the principal's office for cutting off Margaret's hair.
- Tuesday, Margaret's mother is mad at her.
- Wednesday, she's sent to the principal again.
- Thursday, Margaret stops speaking to her.
- Friday starts with yucky eggs and gets worse.
- And by Saturday, even her mother is mad at her.
Okay, fine. Clementine is having a DISASTROUS week.
Synopsis
In this seventh installment in the Just Grace series, any day now Graces best friend in the whole world, Mimi, is going to be getting a brand new sister. Grace is really excited, plus nervous, plus worried, plus happy all mixed together. But both Grace and Mimi are in for a surprise when they find out that Mimis family is not adopting a brand new sisterand instead she is getting a brand new brother. (Oh, brother!) And to heighten the excitement even further, Grace is in for another great surprise! This sweet, comical story builds upon the delightful adventures of Grace, a curious and well-meaning third grader who occasionally gets into a little bit of trouble.
Synopsis
After some of the kids in class get jealous of their classmates who are going away for February vacation, Gooney Bird gets the whole class involved in a map project that makes everyone feel likeand#160;they are going somewhere. This is the 5th chapter book installment in the Gooney Bird series.
Synopsis
Penelope Crumb's best friend Patsy Cline Roberta Watson is becoming best friends with another girl in class, so Penelope decides she needs to win her back. Compliments and presents fail—and Penelope is afraid she'll lose Patsy Cline forever, so she decides to swipe Patsy's necklace and start a secret museum to remember all the people she cares about, in case they leave her too. But stealing turns out not to be the best plan, when Grandpa Felix calls the police about his missing camera, forcing Penelope to confess. Now she's lost both Patsy Cline AND her museum. But in the end she makes a huge personal sacrifice to repair her friendship with Patsy and finds out that drawing pictures—what she likes to do best!—is a way to make a personal museum that doesn't involve any sort of stealing.
Synopsis
Count on Grace to cook up a creative compromise just in time to save the day in this tenth installment of the beloved Just Grace series. It's a cupcake-themed adventure, with plenty of fun sprinkled on top.
Synopsis
It's time for the school fair, and Just Grace's class has chosen a cupcake theme. But the fairand#8217;s highlight, a cupcake competition, causes quite a stir when Grace gets paired with dreadful Owen 1 and not with herand#160;best pal, Mimi. Grace is devastated. And just when she thinks things canand#8217;t get worse, her team votes down her idea to build a cupcake Eiffel Tower in favor of building Spiderman.
It's aand#160;challenging time for Grace. Will she be able to overcome her disappointment and lead her team onward?and#160;Will Graceand#8217;s team ever figure out how toand#160;make a Spiderman out of cupcakes?
Visit Just Graceand#8217;s website at www.justgracebooks.com to find all sorts of fun things, including videos, quizzes, and information about all the Just Grace books.
Synopsis
Gooney Bird Greene returns for another rollicking classroom adventure in this fifth installment of two-time Newbery Award Winner Lois Lowry's Gooney Bird series.
Synopsis
Gooney Bird Greene returns for more adventures in this chapter-book series from two-time Newbery Medaland#8211;winner Lois Lowry, with Middy Thomasand#8217;s black-and-white illustrations bringing the classroom to life throughout. Mrs. Pidgeonand#8217;s second grade class has a lot to celebrate in February: presidentsand#8217; birthdays, Valentineand#8217;s Day, and school vacation. Of course, the students are talking about their awesome vacation plans every chance they get. It can be hard to focus on subtraction problems when youand#8217;re heading to Hawaii or Florida in seventeen minus seven days! But most of the class (twelve minus three of them, in fact) will be staying home during vacation. Can Gooney Bird Greene keep spirits up while everyone is feeling down? Gooney Bird has a great idea that sends her classmates and her on a snowy spin through U.S. history and geography!
Synopsis
The ninthand#160;installmentand#160;in this illustrated middle gradeand#160;series builds upon the delightful adventures of Grace, a curious and well-meaning third grader who occasionally gets into a little bit of trouble. And this time, Graceand#160;shines on stage!
Synopsis
In a starred review, Booklist called the Just Grace series and#8220;hilariousand#8221; and said, and#8220;Give this to . . . anyone looking for a funny book.and#8221; Grace is a curious and well-meaning third-grader who occasionally gets into a little bit of trouble. This time, her class is putting on a play, and Grace is determined to be the star! But things donand#8217;t work out quite like she planned, and Marta gets the role. Grace is jealous at first, but soon realizes thereand#8217;s more than one way to shine on stage. This is an act that fans of Judy Moody and Clementine surely wonand#8217;t want to miss!
About the Author
Sara Pennypacker was a painter before becoming a writer, and has two absolutely fabulous children who are now grown. She has written several books, including
Clementine, The Talented Clementine, and
Clementine's Letter, illustrated by Marla Frazee;
Stuart's Cape and
Stuart Goes to School, both illustrated by Martin Matje, and
Dumbstruck. Sara lives in Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
Marla Frazee did the illustrations for the first two books in the Clementine series. She is author/illustrator of Walk On!, Santa Claus the World's Number One Toy Expert, and Roller Coaster. She is also the illustrator of The Seven Silly Eaters, Everywhere Babies,and a bunch of other books. Marla works in a small backyard cabin under an avocado tree in Pasadena, California.
Kids Q&A
Read the Kids' Q&A with Sara Pennypacker