Second Grade Holdout, written by Audrey Vernick, reviewed by Klaudia Janek

Student Reviewer: Akila A.
Summary: This book serves to provide emotional support to children who are going to/will have to go through unfamiliar situations. The storyline starts with a little boy who talks about how much he loves and misses first grade. He tries to convince his parents to stay in first grade for another year because he is so scared of second grade and so happy with first grade. The tone and emotion switches several times as it starts with a sad tone and moves towards a joyful tone in the middle of the story. Then it shifts towards a confused tone and then enters a joyful, proud tone at the end of the book. The illustrations are very simple and sketchy yet they use a variety of hues and values to create realism. There is also a great ratio of pictures to text which keeps the book interesting and vivid. The element of sarcasm at the end of the book fits into the overall theme as the boy is beginning to be more mature as he feels confident entering the second grade.

Straight Talk for Librarians: This is a perfect book for readers who loved 1st grade and are a bit worried about the school year ending and having to start over with a new teacher in a new classroom. Tyler’s sisters were telling the main character all sorts of lies about second grade. Things like the new teacher will only allow black licorice on Halloween or that every student has to be able to speak Russian perfectly by Thanksgiving! Fortunately, the main character and Tyler soon realize that the older sisters are not being entirely truthful. They were just giving the up-and-coming second graders a hard time. This story has a fluid plot with a clear beginning, middle and end that a young reader can understand. This would also make for a good back to school read aloud. It will have a new class laughing out loud and could be a great ice breaker.