Can Do, Jenny Archer (Jenny Archer, Book 6) - Softcover

Conford, Ellen

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0316153729 ISBN 13: 9780316153720

Publisher: Little Brown & Co, 1993

Synopsis

One day Jenny Archer's teacher, Mrs. Pike, announces a school-wide can-collecting contest. The cans will be sold to earn money for video equipment, and the person who collects the most cans will direct a class movie.

About this title

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-3-- A bored Jenny listens as Mrs. Pike announces the ground rules for a school contest. The class collecting the most cans will win the opportunity to use a new camcorder and star in its own movie production. Jenny is excited by the prospect, especially since the student who gathers the most cans will direct the film. Her severe case of contest-fever strains her relationship with best friend Beth, who is also competing. Further problems occur when Jenny's clever plans to win fail. But Beth, seeing Jenny's discouragement, secretly signs over her cans to her friend; that act brings Jenny to her senses and leaves her feeling like a winner. Through a fiesty main character, Conford touches on typical childhood experiences with humor and sensitivity, and lightly handles the theme of overcompetitiveness. Readers will readily identify with Jenny's unbridled enthusiasm, the amusing situations she encounters, and the lessons she learns. A simple plot, minimal characterization, and an uncluttered format add further appeal for readers just moving into novels. The "Jenny Archer" books are similar to Sheila Greenwald's "Rosy Cole" series (Little) in content and format. The latter, however, is slightly more difficult and has a more fully realized heroine. Jenny would be an excellent precursor to that series or to the "Ramona" (Morrow) books. --Maggie McEwen, formerly at Coffin Elementary School, Brunswick, ME
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

The school is buying video equipment with the proceeds from a scrap-metal drive, and the student who collects the most cans will get to direct the first film! Suddenly discovering that she's always wanted to make movies, Jenny springs into action- -plundering her neighbors' recycling bins, nagging her sitter and parents to buy more canned goods, even recruiting everyone in her grandparents' apartment building. It's not that easy--classmate Beth has turned from best friend to rival, and even the indomitable Jenny is temporarily discouraged when two big bags of her cans are inadvertently thrown away. Though little Wilson Wynn is the surprise contest winner, Jenny regains both friend and self-confidence by the end. A generous number of amiable b&w illustrations echo this light story's cheerful humor. Sixth in a popular series. (Fiction. 9-11) -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

About this edition

• Publisher: Little Brown & Co
• Publication date: 1993
• ISBN 10: 0316153729
• ISBN 13: 9780316153720
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 58
• Illustrator: Palmisciano Diane