Synopsis
It's the first day of first grade, and the kids who are going to be in Miss Popper's class are really excited. Well, everyone except Carlos, that is! He'd rather stay in kindergarten. Carlos decides he'll go to first grade for one day only, and he'll never come back again. But when Miss Popper reveals that someone new will be arriving on the second day of school, Carlos can't help but return. Who will the new arrival be?
Children's Literature
J. B., Albert, Marika, and Justine are eager for first grade; Carlos longs for Kindergarten. Carlos reluctantly goes into school and observes what happens in Miss Popper's classroom. After lunch, the first graders receive small recorders to work on the song, "Hot Cross Buns." The next day, the students receive a class pet, a gerbil. Carlos chooses the name "Happy" for the gerbil, and then they play their recorders again. J. B. gets to take "Happy" home with him over the weekend. When J. B. cannot find the gerbil, the first graders begin to panic until J. B.'s mother finds Happy with a family! Carlos may find first grade is better than he first thought. It is wonderful to read an addition to the group of beginning chapter books. Unfortunately, this one may find limited appeal to readers beyond first grade. The group of friends are not very relatable and the illustrations are rather simple. This book includes a sneak peek at a future adventure. Due to the limited number of beginning chapter books, this may, like Carlos' opinion of first grade, be better than one first thought. Reviewer: Elizabeth Fronk