Keena Ford and the Second-Grade Mix-Up

Thomson, Melissa

ISBN 10: 1606866133 ISBN 13: 9781606866139

Publisher: Turtleback Books, 2009

Synopsis

Keena Ford doesn't mean to be a troublemaker, but sometimes things get out of hand. Lucky for her, it's the beginning of the second grade and Keena's got a clean slate. So when her new second-grade teacher, Ms. Campbell, mistakenly thinks it's her birthday and brings in a huge chocolate cake, Keena realizes that she's gotten herself into a sticky situation. She knows she has to tell the truth, but it's not easy to turn down her very own birthday cake and a chance to wear a sparkly crown. How will Keena get out of this mess?

About this title

About the Author:

Melissa Thomson is an elementary school teacher in New York City where she lives with her husband, Pete, and their three plants. Melissa began her teaching career at Emery Elementary School in Washington, DC. Her students at Emery inspired her to write about Keena Ford.

From School Library Journal:

Grade 1–2—Set in Washington, DC, this story is written as a journal from Keena's point of view. She and her friend Eric are looking forward to beginning second grade, until they discover that there will be separate classes for boys and girls. Plenty happens in the first week. Keena makes a simple error in writing her birthday and allows the teacher to celebrate on 9/2 instead of 2/9. Eric brags about how much fun it is in the boys' class, and Keena sneaks in to check it out and is caught hiding under Ms. Hanson's desk. She faces some stiff consequences for her mistakes, including being sent to the time-out room. Occasional full-page sketches show the African-American child, her friends and family, and her antics. The writing is good, but a spark of character development is missing. Keena's voice doesn't always ring true to a seven-year-old, at least not in journal format. This book may appeal to students who enjoy funny stories, but stronger titles about school situations are available.—Sharon R. Pearce, Longfellow Elementary School, Oak Park, IL
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About this edition

• Publisher: Turtleback Books
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 1606866133
• ISBN 13: 9781606866139
• Binding: Library Binding
• Number of pages: 102
• Illustrator: Morrison Frank