MODULE 4: CLEMENTINE
Clementine is a 3rd
grader who is facing the challenges of being at an age where you want everyone
to like you and realizing the differences between the haves and the
have-nots. The problems she faced are
realistic, but the ways she handled them are not. Clementine has a quirky, creative personality
that people can relate to, but when she handles problems with solutions like
drawing on hair with a green permanent marker, the story goes from realistic to
almost far-fetched. Pennypacker created
a fun character that children can relate to and enjoy reading about. While it doesn’t give children a good
solution to this problem, the story lets kids know that it is ok to feel this
way, and that believe it or not--other people do understand these struggles!
APA Reference of Book:
Pennypacker,
S., & Frazee, M. (2012). Clementine. Hamburg:
Carlsen.
Impressions:
This cute read definitely appeals to girls more than boys, but can be read by and shared with both. While Clementine’s antics seem far-fetched for realistic fiction, the themes of the story are on-point with early/middle elementary school students. In this story, and in other Clementine books, she is busy trying to understand life around her by focusing on just the right things at school, making her parents happy, and trying too hard to be friends with just that one person she looks up to. These central themes and the fun way Pennypacker presents them make this a good book for an elementary library collection.
This cute read definitely appeals to girls more than boys, but can be read by and shared with both. While Clementine’s antics seem far-fetched for realistic fiction, the themes of the story are on-point with early/middle elementary school students. In this story, and in other Clementine books, she is busy trying to understand life around her by focusing on just the right things at school, making her parents happy, and trying too hard to be friends with just that one person she looks up to. These central themes and the fun way Pennypacker presents them make this a good book for an elementary library collection.
Professional Review:
“Gr 2-4-Clementine, a not-so-common third grader, knows her way around the principal's office as well as she does the art-supply closet. Daily rituals take on a different view when seen from her eyes. She's constantly being told that she needs to "pay attention," but to her mind she is paying attention and making astute observations. Whether looking out the window during the Pledge of Allegiance at the janitor locked in an embrace with the lunch lady or dealing with a pesky pigeon problem at her apartment building, her concentration is always focused. Clementine goes to great lengths to be friends with fourth-grade neighbor, Margaret, but trouble more times than not, both girls end up in trouble. Humorous scenarios tumble together, blending picturesque dialogue with a fresh perspective as only the unique Clementine can offer. When the protagonist pleads to skip school because of a self-inflicted haircut fiasco, she tries to convince her mom that she must have caught arthritis from old Mrs. Jacobi or has possibly come down with the "heartbreak of sore irises." Frazee's engaging pen-and-ink drawings capture the energy and fresh-faced expressions of the irrepressible heroine. And even though she confesses that "I do not think fathers should be comedians," her parents are portrayed as being fairly cool. A delightful addition to any beginning chapter-book collection.”
“Gr 2-4-Clementine, a not-so-common third grader, knows her way around the principal's office as well as she does the art-supply closet. Daily rituals take on a different view when seen from her eyes. She's constantly being told that she needs to "pay attention," but to her mind she is paying attention and making astute observations. Whether looking out the window during the Pledge of Allegiance at the janitor locked in an embrace with the lunch lady or dealing with a pesky pigeon problem at her apartment building, her concentration is always focused. Clementine goes to great lengths to be friends with fourth-grade neighbor, Margaret, but trouble more times than not, both girls end up in trouble. Humorous scenarios tumble together, blending picturesque dialogue with a fresh perspective as only the unique Clementine can offer. When the protagonist pleads to skip school because of a self-inflicted haircut fiasco, she tries to convince her mom that she must have caught arthritis from old Mrs. Jacobi or has possibly come down with the "heartbreak of sore irises." Frazee's engaging pen-and-ink drawings capture the energy and fresh-faced expressions of the irrepressible heroine. And even though she confesses that "I do not think fathers should be comedians," her parents are portrayed as being fairly cool. A delightful addition to any beginning chapter-book collection.”
Ashton,
C. (2006). [Clementine]. School Library
Journal, 52(10), 123.
Library Uses:
The Clementine series can be used to teach about how to go about making friends. This is also a fun book to practice the basic skill of determining the main idea and important details of a story.
The Clementine series can be used to teach about how to go about making friends. This is also a fun book to practice the basic skill of determining the main idea and important details of a story.