Amber Brown Wants Extra Credit [Paperback]

Paula Danziger (Author), Tony Ross (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1997 | Age Level: 7 and up | Series: Amber Brown

Getting fed up when her room falls into shambles, her homework is late, and her mother begins to date someone, a frustrated Amber Brown wishes that someone would give her a little credit. Reprint. AB. PW.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-5?Fourth grade is off to a shaky start for Amber Brown, so she asks her teacher for extra-credit work. The girl learns that since she has not handed in her original assignments, she doesn't qualify. She realizes she needs to work hard on her upcoming projects so her mother won't find out about her poor performance. Paralleling this school situation is the fact that Amber is coping with her parents' divorce. She engages in all sorts of antics to emphasize her displeasure with her mother's new companion, and learns that her father (living in France) has also met someone. By the end of the story, Amber realizes that life holds change, as well as the potential for happiness. With her feisty, resilient personality, she is ready for it. Line drawings decorate the narrative. Readers will laugh out loud at the child's energetic capers and feel the sense of loss she expresses. Whatever the emotion, Danziger warrants "extra credit" for her latest addition to Amber Brown's escapades.?Cheryl Cufari, N. A. Walbran Elementary School, Oriskany, NY
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 3^-5. Upset about her parents' divorce and her mother's growing friendship with Max, Amber has trouble getting her schoolwork done. Though this sounds like a typical "problem novel," it's an Amber Brown book as well, full of humor arising from Amber's fresh point of view. Written in the first person, with a good ear for dialogue, the story offers believable characters, adults as well as children. Danziger skillfully weaves the emotional threads into the fabric of a fourth-grader's everyday life. From the colorful jacket to the drawings throughout the book, Tony Ross' expressive and sometimes comical illustrations capture the spirit of the story. The last chapter, a progress report from Amber's teacher, closes with the words "I look forward to watching her progress for the rest of the year." Readers will echo that sentiment. Carolyn Phelan --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks (March 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590947168
• ISBN-13: 978-0590947169
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,799,735 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Born in Washington, D.C., and raised in New York, Paula Danziger knew since second grade that she wanted to be a writer. Beginning her career as a teacher, Danziger taught at the junior high, high school, college levels. She received her Masters Degree in reading and during that time she wrote her first bestselling novel, The Cat Ate My Gymsuit. She returned to teaching, but the success of her book encouraged her to become a full-time writer. It was non-stop for Danziger since then. Among her titles are: the enormously popular Amber Brown books as well as Remember Me To Harold Square, The Divorce Express, and Can You Sue Your Parents For Malpractice?Danziger received numerous honors, including: Parent's Choice Awards, International Reading Association - Children's Book Council Awards, a IRA-CBC Children's Choice Award and many nominations for state reading and library association awards. Known as a flamboyantly funny and deeply honest writer and speaker, Paula Danziger knew how to relate to young readers at their level. She was vital, funny, and compassionate. She knew how kids felt, what made them laugh, what they wore, collected, read, and played with. From collecting novelty toys that would make any teacher cringe, to wearing jangly earrings, funky glasses and shoes covered with beads and sequins, Paula Danziger had a direct line into kids' hearts and funnybones. She will be missed always.In Paula's memory, The Amber Brown Fund has been established to bring authors and illustrators to schools and libraries which otherwise could not afford them. Donations may be sent to The Amber Brown Fund/ SCBWI Museum of Children's Books, 8271 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048. "I want people who want to become writers to read lots, write and rewrite lots, take acting lessons to learn about character development, observe people and not to be afraid of not being perfect. As for those people who don't want to be writers, I hope that you will always continue to read and also not be afraid of not being perfect." "I have two sets of heroes: One--bright, creative teachers, who manage to stay in the classroom. And, two--people who have difficult childhoods and manage to use the experiences to grow into caring, understanding adults."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book--really loved when I was younger, November 10, 2008

By 

R. Drake (Douglasville) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Amber Brown Wants Extra Credit (Paperback)

I love this book and how the characters develop over the series. I think it's sad that over protective parents are lowering their review because of material that is "too mature." When I was in fourth grade my parents had been divorced for two years, my father was remarried, my mother living with a man she met through a chat room, and my sister and I were basically raising ourselves. I started getting obsessed with my body image and ignoring toys that used to be my best friends. The series is all about growing up. It's as perfect about growing with the reader in its style and diction as the Harry Potter series is about developing complexity as Harry ages through the series. Five stars plus!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A and C Love It, January 7, 2008

By 

MB - See all my reviews

This review is from: Amber Brown Wants Extra Credit (Paperback)

This is a 5 star book. It is humorous but also a little sad. We liked when Amber made Amber brownies. We would really like to eat Amber brownies! It was funny when Amber called her mother a madwoman, but it was sad when her mother pulled the car over and cried. Amber's parents are divorced and her mother has a boyfriend named Max. Amber does not like him that much so she decides not to smile at him. If you are a fan of the Amber Brown series, you will like this book too.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I`m not happy with my grades or my parents, June 10, 2003

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Amber Brown Wants Extra Credit (Paperback)

Imagine your divorced parents are starting to date new people. Would it bother you so much that it would affect your grades?That's exactly what happens to Amber Brown.I enjoy all of the Amber Brown books. Her life is interesting and her problems are believable. I can't wait to read more about Amber and her family.
I recommend this book to kids that like funny, true to life stories. I think this book would be enjoyed by ages 8 to 80.