Reviews

Extra Credit by Andrew Clements

katdfleming's review

3.0

The book was well-written, but it didn't have the same rise in the plotline that his other books do. It felt like it peetered out a bit at the end. Still, it's an interesting read for showing how pen pal letters work.

alicebme's review

4.0

6. Personal Response: I felt like the character of Sadeed, but I felt that Abby fell flat. Maybe she's fleshed out enough for a middle reader character, but I just didn't feel that she had the spark that Sadeed did. Anyway, I'm a sucker for penpal books![return]7. Connections: author study on Andrew Clements, book club, interdisciplinary with current affairs/geography

lcbatten's review

3.0

I love the idea of this book, but hated the ending. I wanted Abby to be mad at the censorship in her school and at the violence to her friend. This book left me frustrated. However, that makes it a great book to use in a classroom!

onceuponacarm's review

4.0

Good for stage III and IV (2nd-5th grade). Perspectives contrast in life in Illinois and in Afghanistan, pre-911. Not a lot of action, but an interesting story told through alternating perspectives and letters written by the main characters.

leilakrzyzewski's review

2.0

There could have been so much more to this book. These kids need to work on their pen pal skills.

heatherg213's review

3.0

s children's authors go, Andrew Clements is about as consistently good as they get. His books are always well-written, well-paced, and well suited to the age level of the kids he is writing for. And that is why I was disappointed in Extra Credit. Don't get me wrong, the writing is still first rate and the characters are well-developed. In the first part of the book, Clements does a great job setting up the relationship between Abby and Sadeed. And given the fact that Sadeed is from such an alien culture, that is no small feat. The problems for me start after Sadeed is confronted by the Talib near his village. Once that happens, the story suddenly speed up, but not in an exciting, things are really happenin' sort of way. The last third of the book feels incomplete. It felt like Clements was suddenly unsure how to write a story about why Abby and Sadeed had to stop corresponding in a way that would make it accessible for younger readers. And I suppose that is not really surprising-I know adults who have a hard time comprehending the very different culture of Afghanistan. There are some decent discussion points in the novel-culture clash, racism, stereotypes-but I felt a bit let down by Mr. Clements when I finished this one.

aoosterwyk's review

3.0

Another good book by Clements but I thought it was thin and would have liked more character depth (Clements is certainly capable of it). The idea is great, but it seems more like a sketch than a finished story. This would be a great intro to a pen pal project or the war in Afghanistan.

jamiedee24's review

5.0

Beautiful Tale

I have been a fan of Clements for years so I jumped on the chance to read this novel. He does a wonderful job of boiling down the issues in the Middle East for young readers while maintaining an understandable plot line. It was a good melding of cultures that let you look into the young lives impacted across the globe. Highly recommend!

pwnyboy's review against another edition

funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

maureen_fox's review

4.0

Another solid Clements story and a good reminder of the diversity in our world.