The Bad-News Report Card [Library Binding]

Nancy Poydar (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2006 | Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

It's report card day in Isabel's classroom, and Isabel is sure that her report card is going to be excellent. But after she is scolded for talking out of turn and reprimanded for turning in a paper without her name on it, Adam whispers that Isabel needs improvement. Could he be right? Could her report card be bad news? Nancy Poydar helps to calm the nerves of students fearing the worst about their own report cards in this humorous and reassuring picture book.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-3–Isabel Bloom is ferociously eager for her parents to receive only the best possible news about her school performance. As her teacher explains the common report-card words (excellent, satisfactory, needs improvement, etc.), Isabel pictures her parents jumping for joy. But her overconfidence turns to dismay as she imagines what her teacher might say, and by the time the sealed evaluations are ready to be sent home, the frightened child makes a drastic and desperate decision. Poydar weaves an entertaining, suspenseful, and ultimately affecting tale. Her illustrations are straightforward and colorful, and are particularly successful in communicating childrens emotions. The story underscores the tensions inherent in the evaluation system. Adults may want to think carefully about their own feelings regarding report cards before sharing this tale. It might, on the other hand, be an excellent discussion-starter. Isabel is a character whos easy to relate to and root for.–Susan Weitz, formerly at Spencer-Van Etten School District, Spencer, NY
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

The day after teacher Mrs. Bean explains "report card words" to her class, Isabel goes into a tizzy worrying about the bad news her report card might contain. That afternoon she stuffs the unexamined report card behind her seat on the school bus, and the next morning she "loses" a note from her parents wondering about the card in the same fashion. When she finally reads her report card, she discovers that her fears were unfounded. Isabel makes a likable character, and her concerns will strike a chord with the many children who face report card days with anxiety. The only ones disappointed, perhaps, given the book's title, will be children whose report cards really do deliver bad news. Expressive and sometimes humorous gouache-and-pencil illustrations give this brightly colored picture book a cheerful look. Another entertaining school story from the author-illustrator of such picture books as Last Day, Hooray! (2003) and Rhyme Time Valentine (2002). Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Library Binding: 32 pages
• Publisher: Holiday House (September 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823419924
• ISBN-13: 978-0823419920
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,062,253 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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