Mr Cool - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0753410362 ISBN 13: 9780753410363

Publisher: Kingfisher

Synopsis

Kevin wants to join Micky, Ricky and Nicky's pop band but they are not sure he's cool enough. Doesn't Kevin realise that Gran-knitted jumpers with sheep and teddy bears on them aren't the right kind of clothes for a pop star? Lucky for Kevin his Gran has a basement - the only place the boys have to practise. - so he makes the group. The band does well but when big record boss Mr Rich offers them a deal he says they need to drop the odd guy with the jumpers. Will the band choose certain fame or will they give it up to keep Kevin in the group...?

About this title

About the Author

Jacqueline Wilson was born and still lives in Kingston-on-Thames. She always wanted to be a writer and wrote her first 'novel' when she was nine, filling endless Woolworths' exercise books as she grew up. Jacqueline has been on countless shortlists and has won numerous awards, including The Young Telegraph/Fully Booked Award, the Smarties Prize, the Sheffield Children's Book Award and the Children's Book Award. In June 2002 Jacqueline was given an OBE for services to literacy in schools. Stephen Lewis has illustrated several books and has been published by Mammouth, Franklin Watts, OUP Orchard and Belitha Press amongst others. He lives in Frondsham, Essex.

Review

Susan Hepler, Ph.D. - Children's Literature
It is every would-be musician's fantasy to make it big in a cool band, which is what this story portrays. Ricky, Micky, and Nicky are the kid musicians, and Kevin is a nerdy guy. But he is the one who offers his grandmother's basement for practice; he's the one who bounces around the edges in his dorky hand-knit sweater; and it's his grandma who gets them their first gig. And when Mr. Rich finally discovers the band, but only offers the musical three a contract, they band together and say they will sign only if Kevin is included. This easy reader ends with the band going on tour with their first album, and the fans love them all, especially Kevin. The tacit message is that it is okay to be yourself and friends stick together. Cynical adults might say that if you can't sing, you don't get hired, but "American Idol" would certainly belie that statement. Lewis's full color watercolor cartoonish illustrations portray upbeat, longhaired, kids, only one of whom has brown skin. This "I Am Reading" book would appeal to older readers because of its subject matter, but the text is modest for newly independent readers of any age. 2004 (orig. 1996), Kingfisher, Ages 6 to 9.
School Library Journal
Gr 1-3-These titles for emergent readers are designed to fill the middle ground between picture books and chapter books. Ricky's Rat Gang describes how three mice come up with a clever plan to drive away a gang of bullying rats and regain their hold on a supermarket storeroom. In the second book, three boys accept Kevin into their rock band, even though he isn't "cool." When a music executive offers to sign the group, but only without Kevin, themusicians stand by their friend. Just Mabel tells how a girl deals with teasing from her classmates about her name and her clothing. Children will relate to Mabel's hurt feelings and will respect her ability to solve her own problems. All of the stories offer clear and simple texts with appealing plots. The splashy, cartoon illustrations do an excellent job of supporting the narratives. Edgier and more interesting than the titles in the "Hello Reader" series (Scholastic), these books are solid additions.-Robyn Walker, Elgin Court Public School, St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
Children's Literature
This "I Am Reading" book would appeal to older readers because of its subject matter, but the text is modest for newly independent readers of any age.

School Library Journal
All of the stories offer clear and simple texts with appealing plots. The splashy, cartoon illustrations do an excellent job of supporting the narratives. Edgier and more interesting than the titles in the "Hello Reader" series (Scholastic), these books are solid additions.

About this edition

• Publisher: Kingfisher
• ISBN 10: 0753410362
• ISBN 13: 9780753410363
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 45