First Grade Stinks!

August 1, 2006
PreS-Gr 1 -On her first day of first grade, Haley discovers that the routines are much different and decidedly less fun than kindergarten. She gets only one recess, no sharing time, a room without the familiar decorations, a teacher who is less demonstrative than her beloved Ms. Lacy, and, worst of all, a read-aloud that isn -t even finished. Each time Haley discovers another difference she mutters to herself, -First grade stinks! - Finally, a gentle reprimand for whispering sends Haley into a full-blown meltdown, screaming her mantra of frustration aloud to the entire class. When she lists her complaints to her teacher, Ms. Gray explains about chapter books and reassures her that soon she will be reading them on her own. With her eyes opened to the possibilities ahead, Haley decides that first grade is great. The scratchy, fluid, full-color watercolor-and-ink illustrations feature plenty of white space. Perfect as a read-aloud, this book is a worthy successor to Miriam Cohen -s "When Will I Read?" (Dell, 1996). Pair it with Kevin Henkes -s "Lilly -s Purple Plastic Purse" (HarperCollins, 1996) for a spot-on depiction of teachers helping kids through rough patches." -Marge Loch-Wouters, Menasha Public Library, WI"

Copyright 2006 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from June 12, 2006
Nothing can measure up to a beloved kindergarten experience, as the spirited, pig-tailed narrator in this story resolutely comes to believe during her first day of first grade. Haley and her friend Ryan pride themselves on being big kids now. "Little kids stand at the school door, holding their parents' hands. Not Ryan and me. We walk into school all by ourselves." Haley's puffed-up feelings soon deflate, however. Her new teacher, Ms. Gray, gives them only a "tiny smile. Not a sunny-morning smile" like their kindergarten teacher's. The walls are bare, the work is hard and there's only one recess instead of two. "No share time? No dragon kite? No smiley teacher in a daffodil shirt? First grade stinks!" Haley reasons. The pacing of the first-person narration coupled with Spiegel's (Rosa's Room
) winsome watercolors keeps this lively tale on track. Comedic spot illustrations contrast Haley's fond remembrances of kindergarten with her disgruntled feelings about first grade. With the help of an understanding Ms. Gray, Haley soon starts to see the up side of being a first-grader. Rodman (My Best Friend
) handles the turmoil of school transitions with realism and humor. A good jumping-off book for discussions about differences and change. Ages 4-8.

August 1, 2006
PreS-Gr. 1. Entering first grade, with its increased structure and emphasis on reading, writing, and math, can be just as difficult a transition as starting kindergarten. Rodman acknowledges some of the changes new first-graders may experience in this book about two friends who loved kindergarten but have different feelings about starting school anew. "We first-graders know how to act," says Ryan when he and Haley cruise by the "poor little kindergartners" as they make their way to their first-grade classroom. It doesn't take long for them to feel the difference: no whispering, only one recess, and lots of work: "Haley, your A's and B's are not the same size. . . .Write them again, please." Soon Haley has had enough. "First grade stinks!" she yells aloud, her face, mouth open wide, taking up most of a page, making sure the point gets across. When her teacher acknowledges her fears, Haley calms down andadmits that first grade isn't so bad after all. Ink sketches filled in with splashy watercolors depict a worried, increasingly frazzled Haley as she copes with new challenges in a busy, active classroom. An important book for kids making a pretty tough transition.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2006, American Library Association.)