Jamaica and the Substitute Teacher [Hardcover]

Juanita Havill (Author), Anne Sibley O'Brien (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Jamaica likes the substitute teacher right away. Mrs. Duval is very nice, and she thinks of interesting things for the class to do. When the kids have to hunt for a hidden object, it's Jamaica who solves the clues. She figures out all the answers to the math puzzles, and Mrs. Duval praises her reading, too. But when it's time for the spelling test, Jamaica realizes that she is not prepared. Wanting so badly to please Mrs. Duval, she makes a poor decision. What will Mrs. Duval think of her now? In this new story about a favorite character, Juanita Havill and Anne Sibley O'Brien depict a small but significant crisis with tact and sensitivity.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2-Jamaica and her classmates have a substitute teacher for the week. Mrs. Duval is warm, encouraging, and fun, and the children are eager to please her. When it's time for the spelling test, Jamaica realizes that she's forgotten to study and copies from a friend. Troubled, she confesses to Mrs. Duval, who reassures her that she doesn't have to be perfect to be special in her class. The full-color artwork depicts a modern classroom with a diverse student body. O'Brien focuses her attention and detail on the two main characters, bringing them visually to the front of the illustrations. A delightful story with a gentle message.
Alice DiNizo, Plainfield Public Schools, NJ
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

Jamaica (Jamaica and Brianna, 1993, etc.) is back in another a gentle story, and in for another moral dilemma. Her class has a calm, smiling substitute teacher, Mrs. Duval, who explains that while the regular teacher is absent, ``I plan for us to work hard, but we'll have fun, too.'' Jamaica earns high praise for her reading aloud, for finding the hidden penguin, and for answering math puzzles, but when she gets to the spelling test, she can't remember how to spell ``calf.'' Yielding to temptation, she looks at her friend's paper. The tests are corrected, and she gets 100%, but Jamaica knows she copied and doesn't turn the paper in, later confessing (unprompted) to her behavior. The teacher praises Jamaica's courage in admitting she cheated, and says, ``You don't have to be perfect to be special in my class. All my students are special. I'm glad you're one of them.'' The softly colored pastel drawings show Jamaica, her range of emotions, appealing classmates, and the teacher's kindly nature. This sensitive treatment of the topic makes the book ideal for group discussion. (Picture book. 6-9) -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children (March 26, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395905036
• ISBN-13: 978-0395905036
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 9.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,785,379 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 Realistic story and pictures, January 17, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Jamaica and the Substitute Teacher (Hardcover)

My seven year old and (especially) my five year old daughters love the books in this series. The stories are true to life and teach valuable lessons without being too preachy. The illustrations are beautiful and show the feelings of the characters through very realistic expressions and environmental details. In addition, I think it is beneficial for my daughters (who are not African American like Jamaica, the main character) to see that children who do not look exactly like them can have very similar experiences and feelings.