Scan barcode
A review by carolinerd
Clarice Bean Spells Trouble by Lauren Child
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
More musings from the wonderful Clarice Bean, who wishes she could be a child star because then she could miss the dreaded school spelling bee. Clarice Bean, inspired by a new Hollywood film about her secret agent role model, Ruby Retford, has high hopes of getting a part in the school production of The Sound of Music, but is disappointed when she ends up being cast as 7th nun.
As usual, there are plenty of things young readers will relate to - falling out with friends, getting told off by teachers (sometimes when you haven't done anything wrong), having to do tests in subjects you aren't very good at, and the chapters have interesting titles like - "Sometimes you think you know people and then you realise you don't", "Who decides what's important and what isn't?" and "Can Lying ever be quite a good thing?" So it's actually quite thought-provoking.
It's wonderfully funny and really captures the ups and downs of being a kid. You don't have to be a youngster to enjoy this book though. I think we've all probably had a teacher like Mrs Wilberton or a strange classmate like Robert Granger. I think anyone who has ever been a child will totally 'get' Clarice Bean and root for her.
As usual, there are plenty of things young readers will relate to - falling out with friends, getting told off by teachers (sometimes when you haven't done anything wrong), having to do tests in subjects you aren't very good at, and the chapters have interesting titles like - "Sometimes you think you know people and then you realise you don't", "Who decides what's important and what isn't?" and "Can Lying ever be quite a good thing?" So it's actually quite thought-provoking.
It's wonderfully funny and really captures the ups and downs of being a kid. You don't have to be a youngster to enjoy this book though. I think we've all probably had a teacher like Mrs Wilberton or a strange classmate like Robert Granger. I think anyone who has ever been a child will totally 'get' Clarice Bean and root for her.