Emily Jenkins
Pete Oswald, Illustrator
Penguin/Schwartz & Wade, June, 2021
202 pages
Grades 2-4
Realistic Fiction/Humor
Harry is against starting first grade in the big-kid school with strict teachers, lots of rules, strange kids, and creepy class pets, such as guinea pigs. His older sister deposits him in his Brooklyn public school classroom, where he is greeted by a kind teacher who puts him at the Goat Table. It is here that he meets some kids, who eventually become friends. Eventually, Harry gets use to first grade and though he struggles with some of the rules--like being quiet--eventually he gets there. Conflict arrises as a classmate keeps snapping his underwear, a bossy classmate is a pain in the brain, and halloween plans go awry, yet Harry manages to find solutions. One day flows into another, as weeks pass slowly. Finally, it is the 100th day of school. The students have been working all year on learning to count to 100 and this is a big deal. Everyone must bring in 100 of something, but what should Harry bring? He has a great idea, but is he able to pull it off?
This book by a veteran author and illustrator was slated for a June, 2020 release and was postponed due to the pandemic, which makes sense because of the nature of the subject matter. Harry Verses the First 100 Days of School is a fabulous celebration of school life and community, which feels weird amidst the days of virtual learning. As I turned the pages I longed for being with children again and the antic of the classroom made me laugh out loud. This transitional chapter book will be perfect to hand to a fresh reader to boost confidence and will also serve as a great classroom read-aloud. Much like Junie B, Harry sometimes gets it wrong, allowing for readers to feel confident in their own superior knowledge and sophistication. Unlike Junie B, Jenkins uses correct grammar and spelling, better serving developing readers. And, though Harry is not perfect, he is not fresh like Junie B and actually learns from his mistakes and exhibits great character growth as the year progresses. Harry benefits from a supportive, yet non-traditional, family and a teacher who gets him. He learns patience, trying new things, self-control, and how to be a friend. Jenkins introduces some problematic holidays, such as Columbus Day, in a more politically friendly way and includes an inclusive classroom where all of the holidays are respected and celebrated. Oswald's (of the Bad Seed fame) full color and sometimes full page illustrations are lush and plentiful. My favorite thing about the book is that the author references many other wonderful books throughout the text. These titles are included in an author's note in the back of the volume for further reference. The story ends in the middle of winter at 100 days of school. This leaves room for the author to produce a sequel, maybe finishing off the school year?
No comments:
Post a Comment