Clementine and the Family Meeting [Hardcover]

Sara Pennypacker (Author), Marla Frazee (Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: September 13, 2011 | Age Range: 7 - 10 years | Series: Clementine | Lexile Measure: 630L (What's this?)

Clementine's having a nervous breakdown. The FAMILY MEETING! sign is up in her house, and she just knows she's in trouble for something. Has she been too mean to her little brother? Too sloppy? Eating too much junk food? Try as she might to find out what's on the agenda, her parents won't reveal anything before the meeting. As far as Clementine is concerned, the agenda should be something like: "We're getting a gorilla." But no, it's something entirely different. "We're talking about a new baby," says her father. "A brother or sister for you two. What do you think about that?" NO THANKS! is what Clementine thinks. After all, four is the perfect number for a family. There are four sides to a table, not five. Will Clementine learn to make room for one more?
 

Readers will chuckle at Clementine's unique perspective on the age-old issue of sibling rivalry.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Sara Pennypacker (www.sarapennypacker.com) is the author of four previous Clementine books and Sparrow Girl, illustrated by Yoko Tanaka. She divides her time between Texas and Massachusetts.

Marla Frazee (www.marlafrazee.com) has illustrated all of the Clementine books and many other beloved titles. She has been awarded a Caldecott Honor on two occasions, for All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon, and for A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever, which she also wrote. She lives in Pasadena, California, where she works in a small backyard cabin under an avocado tree.

Product Details

• Age Range: 7 - 10 years
  
• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion Book CH (September 13, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1423123565
• ISBN-13: 978-1423123569
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.8 x 8.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #319,719 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Lots of laughter and smiles. October 4, 2011

By Heidi Grange

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

One of the things that I enjoy most about the Clementine books is the fact that Clementine seems so real, just like the kids I work with every day. She has her strengths (very observant, kind heart, willing to work) and her weaknesses (fidgety, impulsive). She has good days and bad days just like every child does. She has problems at school (missing science project rat) and at home (adjusting to a baby on the way). But Clementine's family and friends are interesting characters as well and are more than just secondary characters.

The writing is superb and very suitable for a third grader, I can here her voice in my head even when I am not reading the book. The illustrations by Caldecott Honor winning Marla Frazee provide the perfect compliment to the writing. Overall, a great addition to the series and I highly recommend the whole series.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A gem of a book. September 17, 2011

By Lori Katz

Format:Hardcover

I remember reading the first Clementine book a few years ago and laughing out loud. The series has quickly become a favorite and Clementines's fans and new readers will love this addition. Clementine's mom is pregnant, her friend Margaret is obsessed with make-up and the rat being used in her science experiment is missing. Just how much is a third grade girl supposed to handle?

Not only does Clementine have an understanding teacher, her parents are amazing. They know what to say and how to say it and twice I found myself tearing up. Written so young readers will not only want to read this book they will fall in love with Clementine and her family. Recommended for those who enjoy Ivy and Bean, Judy Moody and Kylie Jean and for readers graduating from easy chapter books. Do you think we will ever find out Clementine's little brother's real name? Read as an ebook arc courtesy of Disney-Hyperion courtesy of Netgalley.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A lovely chapter book - sincere, entertaining , and the emotional register is spot-on February 3, 2012

By KidsReads

Format:Hardcover

When Clementine's parents call a family meeting, the third grader is pretty sure the agenda won't be good. In fact, she's fairly certain she's in trouble for something. But she never would've guessed that they had such big news: her mom is pregnant!

Sara Pennypacker's latest, CLEMENTINE AND THE FAMILY MEETING, is just as funny, insightful and charming as the four previous Clementine books. This time out, Clementine is dealing with disappointment and changes not only from her parents' revelation, but also at school and with her friend Margaret. Margaret is Clementine's older and sometimes wiser friend. Lately, she has been driving Clementine crazy with talk of moving to California to be a make-up artist. The make-up is bad enough, but Clementine gets sad thinking about the loss of her friend. Even though she is confident Margaret won't really move, as Clementine watches her mature, she feels like she is losing her just a bit anyway. Yet her evolving friendship with Margaret is just one of the things Clementine is dealing with.

At school, the rat that she was supposed to train for a science experiment, Eighteen, has escaped. She is worried about it, but is also anxious about her science partner's claim that he has superhero powers and that they should be the focus of their work now that the rat is gone. And, to top it all off, Clementine's very favorite hat, knitted by her grandmother, is missing. While she is focused on Eighteen, the hat and Margaret, the idea of the baby is never off her mind. Why should they go from a family of four to a family of five when they are so great as a family of four? How will they all fit in the apartment? Will the baby have a fruit name like she does, or will she have to give it a vegetable nickname like her brother? Clementine is not convinced that a baby is a good idea at all.

But, as her other problems resolve, Clementine comes to terms with the baby. No matter how she changes, Margaret is still her friend. Her hat and Eighteen (and five little surprises) are found together at school. She is reminded of how great being a big sister can be. A brand-new, grown-up tool belt full of brand-new, grown-up tools, makes her feel much better. And a very special building project may be just what she needs to get over the emotional shock she felt at the family meeting.

CLEMENTINE AND THE FAMILY MEETING is a lovely chapter book. The writing is sincere and entertaining, and the emotional register spot-on. Clementine is at once a plucky and funky storybook heroine and a relatable every-girl. Once again, Pennypacker's story is perfectly punctuated by Marla Frazee's great pen and ink drawings. This is a very welcome addition to the series, but works well as a stand-alone book exploring the joys and pains of transitions and the adventure of growing up.

Reviewed by Sarah Rachel Egelman