Keena Ford and the Second-Grade Mix-Up (Keena Ford #1)

Gr 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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