Keena Ford and the Second-Grade Mix-Up

by Melissa Thomson, Frank Morrison (Illustrator)

Overview

Keena Ford doesn't mean to be a troublemaker, but sometimes things get out of hand. Lucky for her, it's the beginning of the second grade and Keena's got a clean slate. So when her new second-grade teacher, Ms. Campbell, mistakenly thinks it's her birthday and brings in a huge chocolate cake, Keena realizes that she's gotten herself into a sticky situation. She knows she has to tell the truth, but it's not easy to turn down her very own birthday cake and a chance to wear a sparkly crown. How will Keena get out of this mess?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780142413968
Publisher:	Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date:	07/09/2009
Series:	Prince Not-So Charming
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	112
Product dimensions:	5.10(w) x 7.70(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	620L (what's this?)
Age Range:	6 - 8 Years

About the Author

Melissa Thomson is an elementary school teacher in New York City where she lives with her husband, Pete, and their three plants. Melissa began her teaching career at Emery Elementary School in Washington, DC. Her students at Emery inspired her to write about Keena Ford.

Editorial Reviews

Do you remember what it was like to be in elementary school? For many of us, the start of each new school year seemed to present new challenges and new encounters with fear of the unknown. What will the new teacher be like? What rules will she have? What will my classmates be like? Will my best friend be in my class? Will my rival be in my class? For Keena Ford, second-grade seems very intimidating. This year, her school has decided to separate boys and girls. As a result, she and her best friend Eric are in different classes. Keena knows who she will see in her class instead—her old nemesis, Linny Berry! Nevertheless, the school year starts off well for Keena. She adores her teacher, Miss Campbell. Unfortunately, Keena makes a simple error on an early activity, and the situation quickly escalates. Soon, Miss Campbell is preparing to celebrate Keena's birthday on September 2nd (rather than February 9th). Keena would like to tell the truth, but the big chocolate cake, the sensational birthday crown, and the attention of her classmates makes it hard to do so. Keena is a well-intentioned, realistic character. Any of us could be Keena, and many children will empathize with her. Keena learns much in this book's 107 pages of second grade—and readers (or listeners) will learn right along with her. This book would be a good choice for home, school or public libraries. The quick pacing and dialogue make it suitable for read-alouds, too. Reviewer: Heidi Hauser Green

Children's Literature - Heidi Hauser Green