Andy Shane and the Very Bossy Dolores Starbuckle [Hardcover]

Jennifer Richard Jacobson (Author), Abby Carter (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up | Series: Andy Shane

With insight and humor, Jennifer Richard Jacobson explores a common childhood anxiety and finds a quiet opportunity to boost self-esteem, aided by Abby Carter's delightfully expressive illustrations.

Andy Shane did not want to be in school. He did not want to be at morning meeting. He did not want to sit up straight on the rug.

Andy Shane would much rather be home catching bugs with Granny Webb than sitting in class with the likes of know-it-all Dolores Starbuckle. Any minute, Dolores is likely to shout out, "Ms. Janice, someone's not sitting properly!" or "Ms. Janice, someone's misusing the math materials!" (meaning him, of course). At rhyme time, the words bug and rug get stuck in Andy’s throat while Dolores yells out of turn, "Hullabaloo!" and "Kalamazoo!"

"I hate school," he blurts out at the end of the day to Granny Webb, who is sympathetic but firm. But when Granny makes a surprise visit to school with a monarch caterpillar, everyone is mesmerized, and Andy remembers how much he knows about insects himself. Even Dolores Starbuckle can't help but be impressed!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Starred Review. Kindergarten-Grade 2–Andy Shane does not want to go to school and it's easy to understand why. Every time he tries to participate in a classroom activity, Dolores Starbuckle raises her hand to tattle on him, correct him, or otherwise steal his thunder. Luckily, Andy's Granny Webb (a wise lady who knows the scientific names for bugs) puts an end to the bullying with a surprise visit to school. This story offers a refreshing perspective on a common childhood issue. Rather than fighting Andy's battle for him, Granny simply models assertive behavior as she interacts with Dolores. The perceptive boy mimics her actions, finally standing up to his nemesis with strength and dignity. The characters are complex and realistic for the most part, though their silliness is a bit exaggerated at times. The narrative voice is fresh and whimsical as when an impatient Dolores waves her arms like a willow in a windstorm. The pen-and-ink illustrations effectively depict Andy's frustration, Dolores's temper, and Granny's zany self-assuredness. Andy Shane is a welcome addition to the pantheon of compelling chapter-book protagonists. Children who feel upstaged by the Junie B.s of the world will be grateful to make his acquaintance.–Rachael Vilmar, Atlanta Fulton Public Library, GA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 1-3. With a bit of help from Grandma, a shy lad is able to deal with an aggressive classmate in this chapter book for emergent readers. Dolores, the bane of both Andy and his teacher, Ms. Janice, generally speaks in capital letters, dominates any interchange, and can be relied on to trumpet out any irregularity or clumsy act she spots. Relief arrives at last in the person of Granny Web, Andy's foster parent, who not only demonstrates to the whole class how to ignore Dolores' bossiness but also gently prods Andy into showing that he knows a few things--specifically, the scientific names of common insects--that Dolores doesn't. Dolores, consistently depicted in Carter's frequent, informally drawn classroom scenes with her mouth either pursed disapprovingly or wide open, will elicit shivers of recognition from many young readers, and her final transformation from termagant-in-training to Andy's bosom buddy, though suspiciously quick, brings a satisfying sense of resolution. John Peters
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 56 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick (June 14, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 076361940X
• ISBN-13: 978-0763619404
• Product Dimensions: 5.9 x 0.4 x 8.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,495,887 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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