Reilly has a well-formed beginning and middle, but the end feels rushed and incomplete. So many different characters are introduced that there is little time to see them develop. The illustrations nicely complement the story and may help those with struggling imaginations or who read so slowly that they forget the story. The illustrations are spread through the text very well - it is never more than two or three pages before the next one. This means young readers will be turning pages more often and feel they are making progress. The story deals with some children who are sent out of the classroom for remedial reading. This may encourage readers older than my suggested late first to early third grade level.

Why 3 stars?:
The story is completely plot-driven. Even at this beginning stage of reading children are still capable of meaningful discussion of what they are reading, but this book doesn't provide much material for it. If kids don't associate the higher thinking that comes from reading, it will be viewed as a chore and they will no longer enjoy it. This book does not encourage students to get excited about reading, or share it with others.

Giff set this series off to a good start with this book 1. I read it when I was 9. It came in the mail from Weekly Reader Books (my dad sent away for those for me!) Every month I got books in the mail and this was one of them. At the time I didn't know it was a series, though.

A year after reading this book I could feel for Richard "Beast" when I, too, was left back (it was for circumstances beyond my control, but still!) In this book, Beast struggles to survive and fit in, suffers losing his friends, who advanced to the next grade and reject him. This book is so good!

I could sympathize with Stacey. She feels like she has nothing to share about herself. I remember feeling that way when I was at that age. I know how she feels! There are parts in this book that made me laugh, actually I laughed through almost the whole book. Ms. Giff sure knows about children and at the same time, how to add humor to it! GOOD GOING, GIFF!

Actually, I wouldn't say yuck to this book at all. It is a very nice early readers book. The plot follows a little girl at summer camp who is a detective. When the counselor gives her bunk a mystery to solve, the game is on. Several of the girls are in competition to solve the riddle and win their prize.

This book is written on such a level that first and second graders can read a chapter book with a real plot. The chapters are several pages long because of the typesetting. This will make them feel they are making real progress and get them exciting about reading.

Why 4 stars?:
This book is a prime example of the genre and serves its purpose well. However, the plot is a little weak.

This is one of my daughter's favorites and mine too. Bubbly Katie turns shy and forlorn when Jessica Jean takes over the usual Saturday routine in the apartment building. But when Jessica Jean reveals a secret, she and Katie become friends and learn to share the Saturday routines. Charming. Nicely done. Find it at the library!

I followed the Polk St School books in 4th grade and read them all in order. WHen I got to this one, I enjoyed it, but immediately found this one different from the others. It was the one that you realize doesn't fit in with the series. For starters, in the others, you will notice that every scene takes place in a school setting; playground, classroom or walking home. In this one, we get a glimpse of Richard at home, on his way back to school after Christmas vacation. He starts getting harassed by school bully, Drake. Then he finds a ruler in his desk, which seems to have magical powers. That was the other thing: these books were supposed to be sort of realistic fiction. Well the ruler and magic didn't fit in with that image. However I guess all of us as kids could have at least sworn something was magic... this book is still good, though. I liked it, it just wasn't my favorite.

Well it was a fine book it made a little sence to the story.Well it was about a teacher when she asked the class to see what states they where expert on.Well a girl she tells about her aunt live in Branks,NY and thats the story Bye. Reader,Nicholas

my son read this at his school and liked it so much we bought it.

It's summer vacation and school's out but Richard, Matthew and a handful of other kids have summer school. Richard is depressed. Mrs. Paris, his reading teacher gives him good advice on how to handle changes and things he doesn't like. Then Richard's friend Matthew says that he is moving to Ohio. Matthew doesn't want to go and Richard fixes up a place for Matthew to live in his garage. It's a good book with a non-saccarine ending. There are a lot of good messages to the readers, such as it is okay to cry. That's the best advice! I think I cried when I read this about Richard's best buddy Matthew moving away and although it seems an un-satisfying ending to this book, be sure to check out the other Polk Street books, and there are two books about Matthew's adventures in his new town, Deposit, Ohio ("Matthew Jackson Meets The Wall" and "Shark In School"--both delightful!) Beast and Matthew stay in touch even across time and distance!!

My third grade teacher read us this book during the fall holidays. At the age of 23, I still remember the title and how it made me like candy corn. I think it's a great story. I'm going to buy this book for my nephew.

I read this book when I was in the third grade and I loved it!!! I probably read the book 20 times during my childhood. I am now 24, and still remember the yummy candy corn contest described in this book. :)

Publisher and Amazon, ect., should list the cover artist as well, if it is different from interiors. Many reasons for this... Public can find the specific book they are looking for, and equal time is given to each artist. (instead of leaving the cover artist out altogether-which, unfortunately has been done since paperbacks were invented. I know, because I am a children's book cover artist. We get neither money or fame, but our work helps sell the book....It is criminal if someone else gets all the credit.

it was very boring. Patricia can do better than this

Grace O'Malley is a mini mother figure after her family loses her real mom. Her younger sister, Amy, is diabetic and needs the constant reminding about not eating too many sweets to overload her system. Grace's father invites a relative from Ireland to come and stay with them and to take care of the family. This of course causes problems as Grace had been the motherly figure since her own mom had passed away. Fiona, the relative, tells Grace the story of Grania O'Malley, the Pirate Queen which is carried somewhat throughout the story. Grace runs into trouble at school when she breaks her teacher's favorite Christmas bell. The real conflict of the story is how Grace deals with her breaking of the bell and the character traits she displays. The newly formed family really comes together when encountering an emergency that really hits home. I felt this book did not have enough conflict resolution and while the traits of the main characters were believable they weren't what you would call exemplary. This may be a good book when discussing character education, knowing ahead of time that the problems and solutions are a bit outdated.

I read this book when I was a in grade school, maybe 15 years ago. I read almost every book Giff wrote. This one was my favorite. It teaches empathy and strength. I loved this book so much, I went to a book signing and had Patricia Reilly Giff autograph it. I still have it to this day. Too bad you don't hear too much about her anymore.