
Reach for this book when your child is facing a major change in their routine, particularly a transition involving a beloved teacher or mentor. Clementine is a spirited, observant elementary student who is devastated to learn her favorite teacher might leave for a research trip. Her impulsive plan to prevent him from winning the trip highlights the complex mix of loyalty and selfishness that children often feel during transitions. This humorous and heartfelt story explores themes of jealousy, the weight of a guilty conscience, and the difficult art of an apology. It is a perfect choice for children ages 7 to 10 who possess big personalities and even bigger hearts, helping them navigate the messy reality of saying goodbye and putting someone else's needs before their own.
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Sign in to write a reviewThe book deals with school-based anxiety and the fear of abandonment in a secular, realistic way. There are no heavy traumas, only the very real 'tragedy' of a child losing their favorite safe person at school. The resolution is hopeful and focuses on restorative justice through a sincere apology.
An elementary student who is 'highly spirited' or neurodivergent-coded (though not explicitly labeled) who struggles with transitions, substitute teachers, or feels a fierce, protective attachment to their favorite adults.
Read the 'letter' scene ahead of time. It provides a great opening to discuss the difference between 'telling the truth' and 'telling the whole truth.' A parent might choose this after seeing their child have a meltdown over a change in schedule, or if the child has expressed intense dislike for a new teacher or babysitter.
Younger readers (7-8) will focus on the humor of the substitute teacher's quirks. Older readers (9-10) will more deeply resonate with the moral dilemma of the letter and the internal pressure of keeping a secret.
Unlike many school stories that focus on peer conflict, this focuses on the student-teacher bond and the internal moral compass of a child who means well but acts impulsively.
Clementine is horrified to learn that her beloved third-grade teacher, Mr. D'Matz, has been nominated for a prestigious research trip to Egypt. If he wins, he will be gone for the rest of the year. Desperate to keep him, Clementine writes a letter to the award committee, but instead of praising him, she lists all the reasons he should stay (effectively sabotaging his chances). As the substitute teacher arrives and the weight of her secret grows, Clementine must grapple with her guilt and decide how to make things right.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.