Third Grade Angels
Written by Jerry Spinelli
Ilustrated by Jennifer A. Bell
First grade babies, second grade cats, third grade angels, fourth grade rats! Second graders don’t like being babies or cats, so third grade has to look better. Third Grade Angels is written for second grade level readers in both language and comprehension. The second grade reader is pulled into the story and relates to the main character from the very first page when the author perfectly hits the reader on an emotional level.
Second grade readers love reading about older kids. They long to be out of second grade and to be a big third grader, but what will Mrs. Simms expect of third graders? Are third grade angels expected to be perfect?
From the not so perfect behavior common with elementary students to a cool mom and dad of the main character, this story has a warm-hearted tone and underlying lessons of good and evil woven into a great chapter book for second grade readers. The sentences are short, but filled with appropriate and interesting words for students reading at the second grade level. The chapters end on a cliff hanger type action, so the reader will be prompted to continue turning the page.
I appreciate the interesting plot, the subject of good and evil, perfect and not so perfect, and the wholesome presentation of adult respect and authority mixed with laughter and fun. This is a great book for second grade readers which could be enjoyed as a group reading project in the classroom or as an independent reading book for home. Author Jerry Spinelli has perfected the best approach to keeping children reading by combining action, emotions, laughter and all around fun in this chapter book.
The book also includes a sample of the next book, Fourth Grade Rats. This additional material serves a great purpose in spiking the interest for second grade readers to look forward to the next book in a fun and enjoyable series. The author hits it on the head by writing about exactly how it is in each grade and addressing exactly how children this age feel and act. Kids will definitely love this series.
Title: Third Grade Angels- Author: Jerry Spinelli
- Illustrations: Jennifer A. Bell
- Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books – An Imprint of Scholastic Inc.
- ISBN: 978-0-545-38772-9
- Reviewer: Terri Forehand
- Hardback, 133 Pages excluding the first chapter of Fourth Grade Rats
- Genre: Fiction
