The Landry News [Paperback]

Andrew Clements (Author), Brian Selznick (Illustrator), Salvatore Murdocca (Illustrator)

Book Description

NEW STUDENT GETS OLD TEACHER

The bad news is that Cara Landry is the new kid at Denton Elementary School. The worse news is that her teacher, Mr. Larson, would rather read the paper and drink coffee than teach his students anything. So Cara decides to give Mr. Larson something else to read -- her own newspaper, The Landry News.

Before she knows it, the whole fifth-grade class is in on the project. But then the principal finds a copy of The Landry News, with unexpected results. Tomorrow's headline: Will Cara's newspaper cost Mr. Larson his job?

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 4-6-Cara Landry, entering as a new fifth-grade student in Mr. Larson's class, is quiet and unassuming. Barely noticed by classmates or her teacher, she publishes her first edition of the Landry News creating a transformation of teacher, students, and even herself. Her editorial states simply, "There is a teacher in the classroom, but he does not teach." Emerging from years of disillusionment, he begins to teach again. Journalism with all its ramifications and responsibilities are his tools. All the fifth-graders decide to help Cara publish the Landry News regularly as their class project. This gives the principal just the right tool to rid himself of Mr. Larson something he has waited for patiently. What begins as a small school conflict grows into a First Amendment Rights issue that solidifies friendships for, and love of Mr. Larson. As in Frindle (S&S, 1996), author Andrew Clements (S&S, 1999) uses an everyday classroom setting to illuminate words and their importance. Using clear and simple sentence structure, hard issues such as divorce, loyalty, and responsibility are presented with sensitivity and a lot of humor. Listeners will appreciate Cara's visit to the principal's office and her gauge, the "mad-o-meter," to assess the situation. Academic issues summarized such as newspaper analysis, the Constitution, and the First Amendment are introduced and briefly summarized. Actor Andrew McCarthy uses inflection and tone with subtle voice changes to make the fifth grade girls and boys and the stodgy principal vital and believable characters. This is an enjoyable story that also provides a great deal of information on some important and current issues.-Tina Hudak, St. Bernard's School, Riverdale, MD

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

From Library Journal

Grade 4-6-A fifth grader's scathing editorial criticizing her burned-out teacher spurs him to take his duties seriously. A terrific read about free speech, the power of the pen, and the need to temper truth with mercy. (July)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers (September 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689828683
• ISBN-13: 978-0689828683
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (69 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #63,041 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Most of my characters are fairly normal people who are dealing with the basics of everyday life--getting along with others, finding a place in the world, discovering talents, overcoming challenges, trying to have some wholesome fun along the way, and getting into some scrapes and a little mischief now and then, too. I guess I hope my readers will be able to see bits and pieces of themselves in the stories, particularly the novels that take place in and around school. School is a rich setting because schools and education are at the heart of every community. The stories that are set in school seem to resonate with kids, teachers, parents, librarians--readers of all ages. Everyone's life has been touched by school experiences. And I also hope, of course, that kids and others will enjoy reading, enjoy the use of language, enjoy my storytelling.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Small things become big events in this story with "heart!", February 28, 2002

By 

Volkert Volkersz (Snohomish, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Landry News (Hardcover)

A couple of weeks ago I read "Frindle," by Andrew Clements, and decided it was one of the best kids' books I'd read in a long time. As a result, I decided to read "The Landry News," and my reaction is just as positive. I'm an elementary school librarian, and I can tell you I'll be ordering several more copies of these books--as well as other titles by Clements--for our library.

Clements has a way of writing a deceptively simple story--with many interweaving layers--that make his tales appealing to both children and adults. As in "Frindle," where a fifth-grade boy invents a new word, Clements takes a small, seemingly insignificant event, in this case the creation of a single newspaper posted on the wall by a new girl in class, to set in motion a growing chain of events that gets bigger and bigger. It's almost as if Andrew Clements is saying that there is no such thing as an insignificant event. As John Donne wrote, "No man is an island."

Some of the seemingly small things that moves the plot along in this engaging story are: not one, but two divorces; the newspaper on the wall; a burned-out teacher reading newspapers and drinking coffee; a mother reading a couple of verses from the Book of Psalms to her daughter; apologies; a helpful librarian; a "concerned" principal; an inquisitive small town newspaper reporter; new friends; the Bill of Rights and; "truth and mercy."

If these two first books are any indication, Andrew Clements is an author worth paying attention to. His stories have "heart."

This book, written at a 6th grade level, would make an excellent read-aloud for upper elementary classes. Having said that, I think this story is inspiring enough to be read to any class--even up through high school--that is involved in journalism or some kind of "newspapers in education" curriculum. This is one of those stories that has staying power and is filled with wisdom. Highly recommended!

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding!, December 15, 1999

By 

bmfc1 "bmfc1" (Silver Spring, MD USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Landry News (Hardcover)

This book is an exciting look at an atypical fifth grade teacher and an an atypical fifth grade student. At first, the two cross paths in an adversarial manner. Then, they see things from the other's perspective and it changes each of them for the better.

The book is educational (you learn about the First Amendment), exciting and very touching. Clements is a wonderful writer. My son and I loved this book.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't miss this one!, September 2, 2000

By 

D.C. (Livermore, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Landry News (Paperback)

A timely back-to-school read for parents, students and teachers (even principals!). I started reading after dinner and didn't put the book down until I finished. Without giving away the twists and turns of the story, the book touches upon the essence of teaching and learning. Best of all the story values empathy, initiative, and student self-expression. My fifth grade son was so inspired while reading, he sat down and tapped out his own "newspaper" on the computer. Buy this book for upper grade students, and make sure your school library has a copy. This story is sure to make a few teachers squirm, and many parents think twice about the challenges of teaching. Who knows how many student/classroom newspapers the story will inspire!