July 1, 2000
This short novel deals with the final days of third grade and the conflicts that ensue when students try to choose a class gift for their teacher. The drama is in bold relief here--the kids use plenty of slang and the text is heavy on dialogue and exclamation points. Chesworth's cartoon style illustrations are equally exaggerated. There is not much substance, but there is plenty of kid appeal.
(Copyright 2000 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)
July 1, 2005
In these three chapter books, Miami Jackson helps choose a gift for his teacher at the end of third grade ( "Straight" ), goes to baseball camp ( "Play" ), and gets sent to detention on the first day of fourth grade ( "Through" ). Chesworth's cartoon illustrations are as exaggerated as the lighthearted text; there's not much substance, but there's plenty of kid appeal.
(Copyright 2005 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)