Third Grade Angels

July 23, 2012
In this peppy prequel to Fourth Grade Rats (1991), Spinelli builds on the childhood rhyme from that novel (“First grade babies!/ Second grade cats!/ Third grade angels!/ Fourth grade rats!”) as George (aka Suds) eagerly tries to earn the first cardboard halo that his teacher, Mrs. Simms, will award throughout the year for good behavior. Spinelli’s careful characterizations give the story its emotional honesty, and Suds’s obsession with snagging the halo—and his resulting angst—inspire some genuinely funny moments. In fact, he surprises even himself at the lengths he’ll go in pursuit of a halo, progressing from holding the door for girls to a far more angelic gesture: “I hold the door for boys.” Nicely developed adult figures, including Suds’s mother and Mrs. Simms, add to the story’s comedy and warmhearted quality. A climactic good deed by Suds takes place just before the announcement of the first halo award, the results of which few readers will see coming. An entertaining lead-in to this earnest hero’s fourth-grade year. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 7–10.

August 1, 2012
Suds Morton is not yet a "Fourth Grade Rat." In this prequel to Spinelli's 1991 standby, he is a year younger and, according to his school's traditional chant, he aspires to the sobriquet of "Third Grade Angel." When his teacher announces her intention of rewarding angelic behavior with a halo, Suds decides he wants to be the first angel. Between his cool new friend Joey, his wise mom and a little conclusion-jumping, he comes up with a plan. But, of course, his results are just a little off-kilter. Suds, nicknamed for his preference for calming soaks in bubble baths when he gets "chipmunky," needs all the help he can get to deal with the various disasters and tribulations that threaten to overwhelm him. Along with the angel chase there's a pesky little sister, a fifth-grade bully and total rejection by the girl he adores. Spinelli doesn't miss a beat in recreating the characters from the earlier work and never reveals any hint of Suds' fourth-grade future. He lets readers into Suds' 8-year-old mind without condescension. His problems and concerns are treated comically but with genuine kindness. Suds is innocent, gullible and trusting; he is also entirely good-hearted. Young readers will recognize Suds as one of their own and will gladly follow him to fourth grade. Sweet and funny. (Fiction. 7-10)

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December 1, 2012

Gr 2-4-In keeping with the rhyme, "First grade babies! Second grade cats! Third grade angels! Fourth grade rats!," Suds Morton's new teacher considers each of her students an angel. She has high expectations, and the prize-spending a week as boss angel while wearing a cardboard halo-has Suds and his classmates falling over one another to prove just how angelic they are. Everyone wants to earn the first halo of the year-especially Suds. He picks up trash, holds the door for others, and even treats his little sister kindly. Will Mrs. Simms notice his hard work? This beginning chapter book moves at an enjoyably brisk pace; readers will appreciate the familiar school and home settings, and they'll look forward to meeting the characters again in a forthcoming book. A story kids will relate to, with valuable, down-to-earth messages about character and motives.-Amanda Struckmeyer, Middleton Public Library, Madison, WI

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2012
Grades 3-4 Reflecting on a school-yard rhyme, First grade babies! / Second grade cats! / Third grade angels! / Fourth grade rats!, Suds happily leaves babies and cats behind to start third grade as an angel. His cheerful teacher explains that her third-graders can earn their halos by doing good deeds. Suds is determined to be the first to win his halo, but the competition is fierce and his anxiety level rises. Just when the outcome seems clear, surprises come from both his classmates and his teacher. Spinelli works in some interesting concepts, such as levels of niceness (positive actions versus cessation of negative actions) and the questionable value of goal-oriented goodness. A prequel to Spinelli's Fourth Grade Rats (1991), this accessible chapter book features a simply written, first-person narrative and believable, true-to-third-grade characters. Illustrations include plenty of black-and-white pictures (most not seen in final form) and a clever, eye-catching image on the jacket. For discussion, pair this with Claudia Mills' Perfectly Chelsea (2004), featuring a child who strives for goodness in a religious context.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)