First Year Letters [Paperback]

Julie Danneberg (Author), Judy Love (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2003 | Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. Mrs. Sarah Jane Hartwell delighted children in First Day Jitters. Now her class is learning to write letters for their classroom post office. Follow the class's humorous letters through the school year.

--This text refers to the School & Library Binding edition.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-In this animated follow-up to First Day Jitters (Charlesbridge, 2000), Danneberg and Love continue to pay tribute to the trials and tribulations of elementary school teachers through the experiences of Mrs. Sarah Jane Hartwell. Through short letters and notes written by her students and colleagues, readers learn of Sarah Jane's many classroom adventures, including field trips, a loose pet, fire alarms (complete with sprinklers and the arrival of firefighters), and drop-in visits from the principal. Although these messages hint at the events that take place throughout the school year, the lively and engaging illustrations, done in transparent dyes, really tell the story, incorporating humor through details attentive children will discover. The vibrant colors and animated faces bring the barely controlled chaos to life. Although it is a bit disconcerting that only one student hand writes his messages, children will appreciate that most of the notes are typed and easy to read, and will relate to and enjoy this book.
Piper L. Nyman, Fairfield/Suisun Community Library, Fairfield, CA
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

K-Gr. 3. There are lots of humor and probably a little truth in this hilarious account of a new teacher's first year, which is relayed in a series of classroom letters. On September ninth, Shannon, who has noticed Mrs. Hartwell's hand shaking when she puts her name on the blackboard, writes to her teacher, "that's when I figured you might be a little scared, just like me." Missives in generic type are interspersed with handwritten letters from Josh, a student whose spelling and handwriting noticeably improve throughout the year. Especially funny are students' observations about the principal: "When Mrs. Burton came into our class today, your face turned really red. I peeked to see what she was writing. I couldn't read a word! Did you know Mrs. Burton has very messy handwriting?" The funny illustrations show the class in glorious chaos, from dealing with an escaped class pet snake to the disarray after knocking over of a stuffed bison during a field trip to a natural history museum. Kids and teachers alike will appreciate this unusual take on the ups and downs of a school year. Diane Foote
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Charlesbridge Publishing (February 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580890857
• ISBN-13: 978-1580890854
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.9 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #62,999 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #11 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Sports & Activities > Humor > General
  • #69 in Books > Children's Books > Education & Reference > School & Education

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This sequel's just as funny as First Day Jitters!, June 24, 2003

By 

W. FLANAGAN "Dutchgirl-73" (The Pacific Northwest) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: First Year Letters (Charlesbridge) (Hardcover)

Mrs. Sarah Jane Hartwell is back, in this sequel to "First Day Jitters." On the first day of school, she sets up a mailbox for her students and the rest of the school staff to post letters to her. As the year unfolds, via the letters, the reader learns of all the important adventures and learning that occur in her classroom during her first year of teaching. There's the disastrous field trip, the unexpected visits from the firefighter, the observations by the principal, and the problems with snacks and classroom pets. The full color illustrations expand the detail offered in the letters. Some of the letters are shown in their childish handwriting, and there is a huge improvement in penmanship skills between the beginning and the end of the year. The others are typeset, which makes the reading easier. This is a delightful sequel, just as funny as the first book. Read First Day Jitters to a class during the first week of school, then save this one to read to the same group during the last week of school. Students and teachers will all wish they could be in Mrs. Hartwell's class!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another great book for teachers., February 13, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: First Year Letters (Paperback)

FIRST YEAR LETTERS is a great sequel to Julie Danneberg's best selling FIRST DAY JITTERS. Filled with humor, charm and wonderful illustrations this is a must for teachers, especially those who wonder if they'll ever survive that first year of teaching! I had the opportunity to hear Ms. Danneberg read FIRST YEAR LETTERS to teachers at an International Reading Association conference and they LOVED it. The line to get copies autographed went on and on....

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cute book, April 10, 2009

By 

Knight Teacher (Katy Tx) - See all my reviews

This review is from: First Year Letters (Paperback)

I alwasys start the year reading "First Day Jitters" to let the studetns know everyone is nervous about the first day of school and end the last day with "Last Day Blues" to let the students know its ok to be sad but that they will have fun over the summer. "First Year Letters" basically fills the void between those two books and shares with the class experiences and adventures through the teachers first year. My students loved the story and the illustrations.