Things I Learned in Second Grade [Hardcover]

Amy Schwartz (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

When you're in the second grade, you learn new things every day.

Before Ms. Jones's class, Andrew didn't know how to spell “neighborhood,” how to subtract 348 from 411, how to write in cursive, how to read a chapter book, or how to play the xylophone.

But now that he has graduated from second grade, he knows how to do all of these things -- and more!

Every year in school is a significant building block for the next. In this book Amy Schwartz captures the magic of learning and growing during one of the most important years -- second grade.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-3–Beginning with a list of things he was unable to do before the school year began, a red-haired narrator highlights the key events of his time in Ms. Jones's class. Andrew introduces readers to all of the people in his life and proudly shows off some of his artwork and writing, including a picture of an alien space battle. Itemizing some of his accomplishments, he explains how he can now spell the word "neighborhood," write in cursive, and read an array of chapter books. Finally, Andrew broaches a series of questions that, much to his delight, will be answered in third grade. This sweet story is accompanied by precisely drawn, softly colored illustrations of the boy engaged in a variety of activities at home and in the classroom, and the optimistic and cheerful ending pulls it together to a satisfactory conclusion.–Linda L. Walkins, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Brighton, MA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 1-3. In this tribute to the fruits of second-grade labor, a soon-to-be-third-grader reflects upon the past year as he contemplates, with pleasure and pride, taking on a new identity. As usual, Schwartz inhabits her child narrator wholly and convincingly, chronicling the year's accomplishments in a series of ever-so-solemn statements: "When I started second grade, I couldn't spell 'should.' I couldn't subtract 348 from 411. I couldn't write in cursive. . . . Now I can." The Zolotow Award-winning author-artist illustrates almost every sentence with a separate vignette, each floating within a generous cushion of white space and energetically washed with muted colors. The meandering quality of the narrative--authentically childlike but potentially distracting--may prevent this from engaging young readers as much as a more sharply defined story line. Even so, the many references to classroom culture (there's a "conflict resolution team" and mentions of age-appropriate books, such as Blume's Superfudge) will ignite happy sparks of recognition in second- and third-graders and, in older kids, amused nostalgia for their younger, wide-eyed selves. Jennifer Mattson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books; 1st edition (June 29, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060509368
• ISBN-13: 978-0060509361
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,427,126 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book to end the year with!, August 13, 2006

By 

Shana Kraemer "irishgirl65" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Things I Learned in Second Grade (Hardcover)

I've been teaching second grade for 12 years, and I was so happy when I happened to find this book.

I had my class sit in a circle and I had them tell me the things that they remembered most about second grade. This could have been something they learned, but even more importantly, experiences they had that they'll always remember when they think back to the year they spent together in second grade. Many of the children said things like, "Remember the time we...?" or "It was so funny when Miss Kraemer couldn't stop hicupping!" It made them think about how much they had really learned and experienced in second grade. After we finished, I read the book to them, and we compared the similarities that took place in our second classroom, with those experiences in the book.

My kids loved this book! I read it to them the day before we got out of school in June, and it was a great way to wrap-up the school year.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars school, April 6, 2005

By 

Melissa Sack (georgia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Things I Learned in Second Grade (Hardcover)

This book is all about what one little boy learned in second grade. He became a better speller. He also learned to do math. He became a better reader as well. The little boy tells about pets that he has. He got a hamster that had lots of babies! He brings them to school on pet day and tries to find them a new home! He hopes to have just as much fun next year when he's in third grade.



What did you like or not like about the book?

It showed that school can be fun.


Would you recommend this book? Why or Why not?
Yes The children's book would be wonderful to read on the last day of school. Especially to a second grade class.