Don't Be My Valentine: A Classroom Mystery (I Can Read Book 2) [Hardcover]

Joan M. Lexau (Author), Syd Hoff (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: K and up | Series: I Can Read Book 2

"Don't bug me, Amy Lou!"

Amy Lou is always trying to help Sam, and it bothers him. So when it's time for valentines, Sam makes a mean one for her. But the valentine is delivered to Sam's teacher instead of Amy Lou. How did that happen?Its a Valentines Day mystery! Sam is tired of Amy Lou bugging him all the time so he sends her an especially mean valentine. But when the valentines are delivered, Amy Lou gets a nice one from Sam and its their teacher who receives the mean valentine. How did that happen? Joan Lexaus funny story and Syd Hoffs heartwarming illustrations, available for the first time in full-color, are sure to have beginning readers laughing as they try to figure out who pulled the valentine switch. School Library Journal said about DONT BE MY VALENTINE A funny, realistic school story, this will also be a holiday hit.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Joan Lexau is the author of many picture books for children including the My First I Can Read Book Go Away, Dog, written under the pen name, Joan Nodset, and illustrated by Paul Meisel. Ms. Lexau lives in Otisville, NY.

Syd Hoff is the beloved author and illustrator of many classic books for children, including Danny and the Dinosaur. His recent books include Captain Cat and Danny and the Dinosaur Go to Camp. Mr. Hoff lives in Miami Beach, FL. --This text refers to the Library Binding edition.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (January 4, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060282398
• ISBN-13: 978-0060282394
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,977,484 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Blowing Off Steam!, January 13, 2001

By 

Donald Mitchell "Jesus Loves You!" (Thanks for Providing My Reviews over 109,000 Helpful Votes Globally) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Don't Be My Valentine: A Classroom Mystery (I Can Read Book 2) (Hardcover)

I remember Valentine's Day well in second grade. I wanted everyone to give me a great valentine, and I didn't want to have to give anyone else one. If I had to give everyone else one, I didn't see the point.

Each year my ideas changed about this day, and I came to cherish the hand-made valentines that classmates made because they could not afford the store-bought kind. I also grew to appreciate a sincere wish more than a valentine, and still do. This book reminded me of all those lessons I have learned since second grade.

A lot of children (especially boys) become grumpy about Valentine's Day. The teacher and parents feel strongly about the occasion, and set up the rules. I remember how hard it was for me to make hand-made valentines when that was the art assignment in fifth grade. What frustration!

Albert in this story feels the same frustration. He cannot follow the instructions to make the valentines. He cannot remember to take a note home to his parents.

Amy Lou wants to help him. He doesn't want help. He wants to be left alone (unless it is his idea to ask for help). When Amy Lou tries to help him, that distracts him and makes it harder to succeed. He also doesn't like people to notice he's having trouble.

Albert insults Amy Lou hoping to get some psychological space, and tells her he won't give her a valentine. He is annoyed about everything. Because the teacher makes him put a valentine in for Amy Lou, he makes a valentine saying "Don't be my valentine" with an insulting picture of a moose.

When the valentines are distributed though, Amy Lou gets a nice one from him and the teacher gets the unpleasant one. What happened?

The story resolves the mystery and develops the basis for a more cooperative relationship among the children.

There are many lessons in here about male-female stereotypes, different attitudes towards helping and receiving help, and good ideas for how to work with others. As such, the wise parent will build on this book like a moral fable. The mystery itself will intrigue your youngster to make the other messages more interesting.

Although aimed for grades 1-3, I think most children will find that this is about a second grade book.

I graded the book down because of some potential for the book to subtly encourage racial stereotypes. The two key figures are both black, and they seem to be the most disruptive children in the classroom. It would have been better for avoiding unspoken messages about black people if both had not been black in a mostly white-faced classroom. Also, there is a reference to Albert by a white classmate that could be viewed as racially derogative in nature. I don't like to see books exhibiting that kind of behavior. Maybe I'm too sensitive to these issues, but I think the story didn't need these complications in order to work in exploring effective cooperation.

I suggest that you use this book as an opportunity to ask your child to think about when she or he likes to have help, and when it is appropriate to offer help to another. With a little background at home, these conflicts can be avoided at school and later on in life.

Take the time and thought to help people in ways that they would like to have your assistance . . . and help your children learn to do that, as well!

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't Be My Valentine, December 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Don't Be My Valentine: A Classroom Mystery (I Can Read Book 2) (Hardcover)

A realistic school story centered around Vaneltine's Day. Sam doesn't want Amy Lou's constant help and decides to send a mean Valentine card. There is a mix-up and the teacher ends up with it. Shows some true emotions. Doesn't resolve it at the end in a sitcom ending. This is a humorous book with good color illustrations. Recommended for K through the 4th grade, as well as the teachers and parents. p.s. don't ask us why we spelled it "vaneltine's".....

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A reader from Bolingbrook, IL, Valleyview School Dist., February 18, 2000

By 

Tanga Baylor (Bolingbrook, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Don't Be My Valentine: A Classroom Mystery (I Can Read Book 2) (Paperback)

I did not care for the book at all. I rated it a 1 because it wouuld not accept the number 0. I was offended by the book because it gave reference to an African American child as a monkey, by another African American child. I failed to find the humor when one child played a trip on the other by giving the mean valentine to the teacher. Overall, the book did not deliver a positive message or resolution to the problems.