Synopses & Reviews
Richard can't waitand#160;to show off hisand#160;flat-ground Olliesand#160;atand#160;a friend'sand#160;birthday party at the skate park, but a note home from his teacher threatens to ruin his plans. He really meant to finish his assignment on howler monkeys, but he just got . . . distracted. If only he could focus on his schoolwork, he wouldn't get into this kind of trouble! Canand#160;Richard manage to put off getting the note signed (and facing the consequences)and#160;until after the party, or willand#160;the deception makeand#160;things even worse? and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; Nikki and Deja fans and their male peers are sure to recognize themselves and their classmates in this humorous school story.
Review
andquot;A welcome series addition that emphasizes familiarity instead of difference and treats its message with an affectionately light hand.andquot;
andmdash;Kirkusand#160;
Review
andquot;A welcome series addition that emphasizes familiarity instead of difference and treats its message with an affectionately light hand.andquot;
andmdash;Kirkus
andquot;Lots of kids will recognize themselves in this book...and teachers and librarians will be happy to have a series to recommend that stars a realistic, likable boy of color.andquot;
andmdash;Horn Book Magazine
andquot;This is a consistently fun read, complete with endearing characters, charming spot illustrations, and satisfying resolutions. Furthermore, it is a much needed story in which African American boys can see themselves visually and textually reflected in a positive light, completely free of the usual tropes of multicultural literature.andquot;
andmdash;Booklist
andquot;The warm details of Richardand#39;s African-American family are tempered by the realism of life with a bunch of boisterous boys...English continues to earn her place as one of the most reliable early-grade authors, and readers who havenand#39;t discovered the Carver School kids will find this a satisfying entry point.andquot;
andmdash;Bulletin
Synopsis
All the boys in EllRay's third-grade class have something they can brag about. Corey's on the swim team, Kevin is super tall, Jared's dad has an ATV. But EllRay's dad is a geologist - not much to brag about. After all, rocks are boring. Then EllRay sees the crystals in his dad's office, and they are really cool looking. If EllRay just "borrows" them to show his classmates, he knows they'd be impressed. And his dad will never have to know. It's a perfect plan . . . until things go awry.
Synopsis
Richard can't waitand#160;to show off hisand#160;skills atand#160;a friend'sand#160;skateboard birthday party, but a note home from his teacher threatens to ruin his plans. This charming second book in a new series about third grade boys by Coretta Scott King Honor Award-winner Karen Englishand#160;offers spot-on storytelling, relatable characters and situations, and plenty of action.and#160;
Synopsis
All the boys in EllRay's third-grade class have something they can brag about. Corey's on the swim team, Kevin is super tall, Jared's dad has an ATV. But EllRay's dad is a geologist - not much to brag about. After all, rocks are boring. Then EllRay sees the crystals in his dad's office, and they are really cool looking. If EllRay just "borrows" them to show his classmates, he knows they'd be impressed. And his dad will never have to know. It's a perfect plan . . . until things go awry.
About the Author
Karen English is a Coretta Scott King Honor Award-winner and the author of the Nikki and Deja series. Her chapter books have been praised for their accessible writing, authentic characters, and satisfying storylines.andnbsp;She is a retiredandnbsp;elementary school teacher and lives in Los Angeles, California.