Mostly Monty: First Grader [Hardcover]

Johanna Hurwitz (Author), Anik McGrory (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up | Series: Monty

A shy boy with asthma starts first grade -- and comes into his own -- in this appealing story for early chapter book readers.

Six-year-old Monty doesn’t have a brother, a sister, or a pet. What he does have is asthma, which sometimes makes it hard to breathe and often makes him feel like he’d rather be somebody else. And now that he’s starting first grade, he’s very nervous about being with all those kids he won’t know. Luckily, he loves to read -- even really hard books -- and has a talent for finding things, from a cocooning caterpillar to classmates who want to be in his very own club. With familiar situations and gentle humor, Johanna Hurwitz follows an endearing character as he discovers that being himself can be pretty great after all.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Monty, an asthmatic who also suffers from lack of friends and pets, spends the first few weeks of first grade wishing he could be someone else. Slowly he learns to appreciate the qualities that make him Monty, such as his remarkable reading ability. By the end of the book, like his pet caterpillar, he begins to emerge from his cocoon. Adults will predict the outcome and may wince at the occasionally awkward placement of vocabulary-building words: "Monty didn't complain about his limitations." Children are unlikely to be bothered, though they may notice the unusually long chapters; the first one stretches to 21 pages with four page breaks. Watercolor illustrations (black and white in galley) appear every few pages, breaking up the text with pictures of cheerful button-nose children. More reserved children who lack the boundless energy and self-assurance exhibited by Junie B. Jones and Gooney Bird Greene will appreciate seeing themselves reflected in this gently funny story about learning to like oneself. Harold, Suzanne

From the Publisher

With familiar situations and gentle humor, Johanna Hurwitz follows an endearing character as he discovers that being himself can be pretty great after all.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick (June 12, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 076362831X
• ISBN-13: 978-0763628314
• Product Dimensions: 5.8 x 0.5 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,234,463 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars well written and very relatable, March 1, 2011

By 

TdiP (New York City) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mostly Monty: First Grader (Hardcover)

My five-year-old has moved onto to chapter books and really loves the Monty series. The stories deal with all of the things a regular 5 or 6-yr-old lives with every day---making friends, going to school, self-esteem, dealing with new situations, adventure, being different, fitting in, etc.---all through the eyes of a completely adorable character named Monty. I hope we see many many more installments of the Monty series!

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Boy's Video Review, June 21, 2009

By 

Laura Smith "busycrazymama" (Washington) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mostly Monty: First Grader (Paperback)

Length:: 0:27 Mins

This video is a 30-second review by my 6-year-old son (an avid reader) on why he liked this book. Hope it's helpful!

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Receives Anik McGrory's fun drawings, August 7, 2007

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mostly Monty: First Grader (Hardcover)

Johanna Hurwitz's MOSTLY MONTY receives Anik McGrory's fun drawings as it tells of Montgomery Morris, a first-grader who has asthma, so can't always play like the other kids. Monty wants a pet and new friends, and MOSTLY MONTY reveals his search for both in a fine story suitable for chapter book readers.