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missprint_'s review
3.0
Having already established the precedent for non-YA CLW titles with the first two Clementine books, I decided to go ahead and do a chick lit Wednesday review for the latest installment as well.
Since her introduction, Clementine has colored both her and best friend Margaret's heads with permanent markers, saved her school talent show from catastrophe, and been sent to the principal's office so many times that she knows the way pretty much by heart. In Clementine's Letter (2008) by Sara Pennypacker (with the ever-lovely illustrations by Marla Frazee), Clementine is actually hoping for some catastrophe.
Clementine is finally getting the hang of third grade with the help of her teacher Mr. D'Matz. But when her class finds out that Mr. D'Matz might be leaving in the middle of the year to go on a research trip to Egypt, Clementine knows she'll never be able to make it through the rest of the year--especially when she can't seem to do anything right for her new substitute.
After thinking things through, Clementine decides that Mr. D'Matz needs to keep his promise to teach her and her class for the rest of the year. And he probably doesn't really want to go to Egypt anyway. So Clementine starts making her own plans to make sure Mr. D'Matz won't leave. After all, it isn't really sabotage if he doesn't want to go, right?
Clemetine's Letter is all about decisions and thinking things through. What starts as an ill-thought out letter to keep her teacher away from Egypt turns into a lesson that, sometimes, if you really care about someone you have to let them leave.
This story references events from the first two books (Clementine from 2006 and The Talented Clementine from 2007) but stands on its own quite easily. Clementine is as entertaining as ever with her own unique brand of humor, although I still worry about the emphasis on her getting into trouble at school so much (some reviewers posit that Clementine has ADD, I posit that she is a creative type in a school that doesn't really get her). Margaret's own ticks about germs and dirt also seemed to be much more prevalent than in the first books.
The story isn't quite as funny as the first, perhaps because Clementine's distress over her teacher seems more real and pressing than her issues in the first two books. The ending also felt somewhat more abrupt. Regardless, Clementine remains an effervescent, awesome character good for kids of all ages (even reluctant readers thanks to the brevity of the text and the excellent illustrations).
Since her introduction, Clementine has colored both her and best friend Margaret's heads with permanent markers, saved her school talent show from catastrophe, and been sent to the principal's office so many times that she knows the way pretty much by heart. In Clementine's Letter (2008) by Sara Pennypacker (with the ever-lovely illustrations by Marla Frazee), Clementine is actually hoping for some catastrophe.
Clementine is finally getting the hang of third grade with the help of her teacher Mr. D'Matz. But when her class finds out that Mr. D'Matz might be leaving in the middle of the year to go on a research trip to Egypt, Clementine knows she'll never be able to make it through the rest of the year--especially when she can't seem to do anything right for her new substitute.
After thinking things through, Clementine decides that Mr. D'Matz needs to keep his promise to teach her and her class for the rest of the year. And he probably doesn't really want to go to Egypt anyway. So Clementine starts making her own plans to make sure Mr. D'Matz won't leave. After all, it isn't really sabotage if he doesn't want to go, right?
Clemetine's Letter is all about decisions and thinking things through. What starts as an ill-thought out letter to keep her teacher away from Egypt turns into a lesson that, sometimes, if you really care about someone you have to let them leave.
This story references events from the first two books (Clementine from 2006 and The Talented Clementine from 2007) but stands on its own quite easily. Clementine is as entertaining as ever with her own unique brand of humor, although I still worry about the emphasis on her getting into trouble at school so much (some reviewers posit that Clementine has ADD, I posit that she is a creative type in a school that doesn't really get her). Margaret's own ticks about germs and dirt also seemed to be much more prevalent than in the first books.
The story isn't quite as funny as the first, perhaps because Clementine's distress over her teacher seems more real and pressing than her issues in the first two books. The ending also felt somewhat more abrupt. Regardless, Clementine remains an effervescent, awesome character good for kids of all ages (even reluctant readers thanks to the brevity of the text and the excellent illustrations).
bbckprpl's review
5.0
Clementine is to my nephew and niece as Ramona Quimby was to me. She is the first non-picture, short chapter book my nephew and I read together, and her series has so much to offer kids who think reading isn't all that much fun. Clementine is fun. She's real, and she's not too adorable that you want nothing to do with her. This third book was just as much fun as the first, and the characters are even more interesting now that we know them a bit better. I hope there's plenty more of Clementine to come, and look forward to LilGirl's first read aloud for this summer.
bookiecookie's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
librariann's review
4.0
Clementine is as cute as ever. For all ages (although there is a point which a swear is alluded to).
book_nut's review
4.0
If you haven't read Clementine, don't start with this one (though I did... and it didn't hurt). It's a wonderful little book, that packs more punch than you think a slim one would. It's fun, it's sweet, it's cute, it's funny. It's thoroughly enjoyable. Hand it to your kids (my 8 yo loves Clementine!), read it yourself. And fall in love with Clementine, too.
daisycakesco's review
5.0
I love Clementine. Don't we all wish we knew the rules before we make a mistake?
abigailbat's review
5.0
Clementine's back and better than ever. Just as soon as Clementine was getting the hang of third grade (she hadn't been sent to the principal's office in a week!), she learns that Mr. D'Matz is a finalist in a contest for a trip to Egypt. He'll be gone all week at the judging and if he wins, he could be going to Egypt for the rest of the year! There's no way Clementine's going to let that happen, especially after she meets her new substitute teacher. Mrs. Nagel has changed all the rules and Clementine keeps getting into trouble. When the principal asks the kids in Clementine's class to write letters to the judges telling them why Mr. D'Matz should win the contest, Clementine gets a brilliant idea. But will her idea work? Can she survive the third grade without Mr. D'Matz? And what other trouble will Clementine get into?
Another hit in the Clementine series. I'm not normally a big fan of series, but these are excellent. I loved how the bond between teacher and student is portrayed and how the conflict is eventually resolved. Clementine's got real spirit and creativity and, although her ideas sometimes result in disasters, her heart's always in the right place.
Another hit in the Clementine series. I'm not normally a big fan of series, but these are excellent. I loved how the bond between teacher and student is portrayed and how the conflict is eventually resolved. Clementine's got real spirit and creativity and, although her ideas sometimes result in disasters, her heart's always in the right place.
jshettel's review
3.0
Of the three Clementine books I've read this month, I liked this one the best.
jessalynn_librarian's review
4.0
In the best possible world, you could listen to Clementine on audio while also enjoying Marla Frazee's illustrations. Sadly, I listened in the car and missed the pictures. But I still love Clementine and recommend her in whatever format you can get your hands on!