Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
How to be cool....., February 9, 2002
This was a nice little story about Robbie who wants to start off the new school year the right way. He begins to make a list of things he must do to make himself cool, such as getting jeans and changing his name. He is paired up to work with Bo, a bully who is repeating the third grade. Robbie, get scared, but when he faces his mother and simply tells her he would like some jeans and that he can walk to the bus stop by himself, she agrees. He has a revelation that people did not know what he wanted them to do unless he asked them to do it. From then on, he had a new outlook. For his first meeting with Bo, they hit it off and Robbie became one of the cool kids. But, not because of his new jeans or that his mom stopped kissing him at the bus stop. Robbie became cool because of the way he thought about himself. A good lesson for all children at such an impressionable time in their lives. This is a good introduction to chapter books. The 13 chapters are dealt out over 69 pages. All of the chapters are short enough to hold an elementary child's interest. The illustrations are beautiful and really add to the story. I would recommend this book as a way to lead children into chapter books and/or to begin a discussion on what being cool is, and the importance of self-worth. The only thing I felt this story was lacking was some of the realism and consistency of the characters. At times Robbie, Doug and Bo can be young for their age and then on the next page seem to be overly mature for the third grade. Robbie's parents have also become caricatures. Why 4 stars?:
Nice story, nice illustrations, good introduction to chapter books. Wonderful way to introduce topics of coolness, bullies and self-confidence. Characters can become somewhat unbelievable at times, but all in all a book worthy to be added to your classroom library. This book also lends itself well for reading groups and read-alouds because the chapters are so short.
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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Great Book For Kids!, August 7, 2000
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a great book to give a child 7-10 years old. Children often experience many feelings when entering a new school or third grade. This book address some of those issues such as school bullies, clothes, and names children consider as funny. It also encourage children to communicate those concerns to their parents. It's funny and very well written. Children will love reading it to find out how Robbie deals with his mom kissing him in front of other kids, the school bully and changing his super hero underwear.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
How to Be Cool in the Third Grade, May 23, 2010
Betsy Duffey's, How to Be Cool in the Third Grade, is a terrific little tale of a boy, Robert "Robbie" York who is trying to not be the "odd-man (boy)-out" in the new school year. He is now a third grader, but his parents, especially his mom, do not seem to realize that he is growing up. They still treat him like their "little Robbie"; how embarrassing. So Robbie resorts to making a list on what it will take for him to be "cool", and Pretty Pony rulers are definitely NOT on the list. As if lipstick kisses from Mom on the bus stop right in front of everybody wasn't bad enough, everything really starts to go all wrong when a mishap occurs on the bus that gets the third grade bully, Bo Haney, calling him "Wobbie". In desperation to not be forever known as Wobbie the Super Heroes underwear wearer, Robbie rethinks his approach to the whole "being cool" list which also definitely does not include being Book Buddies with Bo. Once Robbie realizes that he can't just assume that everyone, especially his parents, will automatically know what he wants or needs, you have to voice your desires. He asked for jeans to replace his scratchy tan shorts and plain white underwear to replace his Super Heroes undies, and behold, his mom bought them for him. Robbie's outlook begins to brighten up. Now he has a chance after all, but what to do about Book Buddy Bo? Not to give too many spoilers, but Robbie's ultimate epiphany on what is "cool" is definitely a great ending to this delightful story. Thirteen chapters and 69 pages long, this book the perfect length for children who are being introduced to chapter books. I will recommend it to my children and to my nieces and nephews when they get to that age.
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