Math Rashes

As spells are cast, weird things start to happen at W.T. Melon Elementary School, in this amusing sequel to The Classroom at the End of the Hall.

Grade 2-4-In a world in which adults are identified by description (tall teacher, Playground Lady) or silly names (Mr. Principle the principal, Miss Givings the substitute, Mr. Leeks the custodian), these school stories unfold with an intriguing mix of fantasy and reality. Among the third graders at W. T. Melon Elementary School are Richard, the recognizable bully, who is himself bullied by playground equipment come to life; lazy Andrew whose doodles wreak havoc on the classroom; and chatterbox Morgan, who learns to listen more than she yaks. Each well-written short selection has strong child appeal and is sprinkled with Di Fiori's appealing black-and-white illustrations. Recognizable characters and situations and zany plots will pull young readers in and convey gentle messages. Fans of Louis Sachar's Sideways Stories from Wayside School (Avon, 1985) will enjoy this book.
Lee Bock, Glenbrook Elementary School, Pulaski, WI
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Gr. 2-4. Homework makes no sense to Hari. Consequently, he eagerly trades one of his five senses to a gnome for doing his lessons. That arrangement works well--until he unwittingly trades away his common sense. The jungle gym, the teeter-totter, and other equipment turn tables on the playground bully; and a mealworm named Bob helps a little girl spell accurately. These are only a few of the wacky takeoffs on third-grade experiences that will have readers laughing out loud. Cleverly disguising lessons on good school behavior in plays on words, fantasy, and humor, these imaginative stories delightfully re-create recognizable school situations and characters. Ellen Mandel
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