Children's Chapter Book Review: The Beast in Ms. Rooney's Room

The Beast in Ms. Rooney's Room (The Kids of the Polk Street School #1)
Written and illustrated by: Patricia Reilly Giff
Published by: Yearling, 2008 (first published 1984)
80 pages

from goodreads.com:
It's September again.What does it mean for Richard "Beast" Best to be left back? It means being teased by his old friends while he's stuck facing the same old teacher in the same old classroom. He even has to take a special reading class with "babies" like Emily Arrow and Matthew Jackson. And just like last year, he can't help getting into trouble.But with the help of Mrs....moreIt's September again.What does it mean for Richard "Beast" Best to be left back? It means being teased by his old friends while he's stuck facing the same old teacher in the same old classroom. He even has to take a special reading class with "babies" like Emily Arrow and Matthew Jackson. And just like last year, he can't help getting into trouble.But with the help of Mrs. Paris, the reading teacher, Beast starts to enjoy reading and just might find a way to help the second grade win the school banner for best class.

* Although my almost six year-old daughter is on at least a third grade reading level she doesn't like reading chapter books that she can't read in one sitting.  To introduce her to some new books and series I've been reading chapter books with her.  Often we'll bring a chapter book outside while we sit on our front steps and wait for the bus in the morning.  I grew up reading The Kids of the Polk Street School series.  For me, it was a brand new series that was written.  For my daughter, the series is over 25 years old now!  In this first book in the series, Richard Best, a.k.a. "Beast" is left back in second grade.  He also has to attend a special reading class.  He wants to help his class win the school banner for being the best class of the week.  Of course lots of little things go wrong, but plenty of good things happen too like Richard making new friends and finally beginningto learn to read and spell.  I loved these books when I was about 8 or so.  Reading it again this time through with my daughter I wasn't that big of a fan.  However, she told me that she liked it.  We own book number two in the series from my school collection, so maybe she'll be motivated to continue the series.....on her own!

Family Rating:  1 thumb up.