Clementine's Letter

Starred review from July 1, 2008
Gr 2-4-Irrepressible and delightful Clementine is back. She is enjoying third gradeshe is in sync with her teacher, Mr. D'Matz, and is rarely sent to speak with Principal Rice, a major accomplishment in her school life. Then Mr. D'Matz is selected as one of three finalists for an Adventures for Teachers archaeological dig in Egypt and leaves for a week to meet with the committee. Clementine is distraught to learn that if chosen as the winner, he will be gone for the rest of the school year. When the substitute arrives, Clementine learns that she has to follow completely different rules. The next week is not an easy one for the child as she adjusts to Mrs. Nagel, worries about losing Mr. D'Matz, copes with her everyday life as an impulsive eight-year-old, and frets about the letter she is supposed to write to the prize committee about her teacher. Through it all, she shines with a vibrant spirit that can never be completely extinguished, even when she is feeling down. Frazee's pen-and-ink drawings perfectly capture Clementine's personality and her world."Terrie Dorio, Santa Monica Public Library, CA"

Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 1, 2008
Popular Clementine returns, with a problem onher hands. Her teacher, Mr. DMatz, has been nominated to take part in a program that may win him a trip to Egypt, meaning hell be gone for the rest of the year. Trouble starts immediately. Mr. DMatz leaves for a week of training, and the substitute just doesnt understand the arrangementsClementines worked out with her teacher to make life easier forthem both. So unhappy is sheabout Mr. DMatzspossible departure that when the class is asked to write supportiveletters to the selection committee, she goes a different waya much different way.Although occasionally Clementine sounds more like Pennypacker than herself, books in this seriestie together all the elements that make the bestmiddle-grade fiction: realistic families, the ups and downs of school life, and an awareness of a how a kids mind works. Clementine is a kissing cousinto Beverly Clearys Ellen Tebbits and Ramona Quimby, and Frazees perfect line drawings make this link even stronger.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)