Clementine

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Cynthia Grabke, Halifax Elementary School, MA -- School Library Journal, 11/23/2007

Clementine (unabr.). 2 cassettes or 2 CDs. 1:30 hrs. Recorded Books. 2007. cassette, ISBN 978-1-4281-4584-9: $30.75; CD, ISBN 978-1-4281-4589-4: $25.75.

Gr 2-4–In Sara Pennypacker’s beginning chapter book (Hyperion, 2006), Clementine is always being told that she doesn’t pay attention to her teachers, but she does focus on details that are important to her. These observations get Clementine into trouble, but often help her save the day, such as dealing with a pigeon problem in the front of her apartment building. Pennypacker shows empathy for the third-grade experience as Clementine describes the ups and downs of a week in her life via a series of very humorous scenarios. Jessica Almasy’s childish tone is completely believable in her first-person narration. Have the book available so listeners can read along and see Marla Frazee’s wonderful pen-and-ink illustrations that perfectly capture Clementine’s spirit. An entertaining listen for classes or individual students.