Keena Ford and the Second-Grade Mix-up, by Melissa Thomson, illustrated by Frank Morrison, 2009, New York, New York: Puffin Books. 112 pages. ISBN: 978-0142413968.
Age/Interest Level: 6-9 years
Lexile Level: 620L
Awards: N/A
Reader Annotation: Keena Ford might have had some misunderstandings in the past, but the beginning of second grade means a clean slate. However, when her new teacher mistakenly thinks it’s her birthday, Keena gets caught up in a lie that might not have been worth the chocolate cake.
Plot Summary: Keena Ford is entering the second grade and she could not be happier about it. After some misunderstandings in first grade, she’s ready for a clean slate in a new classroom. However, things are off to a rocky start, especially since her best friend, Eric, isn’t in the same class as her. When her teacher, Ms. Campbell, has the students write down and turn in their birthdays, Keena mistakenly writes 9/2 instead of 2/9, just like how she thinks her brother taught her. With the big day approaching, and a chocolate cake and sparkly crown waiting, Keena is faced with admitting the embarrassing truth or lying to her class.
Critical Evaluation: This book is an excellent examination of how a simple mistake can lead to unintended and harmful consequences if left unchecked. Keena is a real character with flaws that she admits to, and concedes that she has to work on them. She is incredibly likable, though, and many of the situations she falls into are laugh-out-loud funny, particularly when she hides under the other second-grade teacher’s desk since Erik claimed she was outlandishly amazing. That curiosity and commitment guides readers as she mistakenly writes the wrong birthday and then is left to remedy the situation without letting everyone know she messed up. It’s a situation many individuals find themselves in, but Keena serves as a reminder that things happen and there’s always tomorrow.
Why Included: This is an incredibly likable book with fun dialogue and a highly realistic plot. The work is also highly inclusive, with a strong female African American lead. Keena also lives in a single-parent home, though she still maintains a fantastic relationship with her father. This type of family structure is missing in a little of literature, so it’s a welcome addition here.
Age/Interest Level: 6-9 years
Lexile Level: 620L
Awards: N/A
Reader Annotation: Keena Ford might have had some misunderstandings in the past, but the beginning of second grade means a clean slate. However, when her new teacher mistakenly thinks it’s her birthday, Keena gets caught up in a lie that might not have been worth the chocolate cake.
Plot Summary: Keena Ford is entering the second grade and she could not be happier about it. After some misunderstandings in first grade, she’s ready for a clean slate in a new classroom. However, things are off to a rocky start, especially since her best friend, Eric, isn’t in the same class as her. When her teacher, Ms. Campbell, has the students write down and turn in their birthdays, Keena mistakenly writes 9/2 instead of 2/9, just like how she thinks her brother taught her. With the big day approaching, and a chocolate cake and sparkly crown waiting, Keena is faced with admitting the embarrassing truth or lying to her class.
Critical Evaluation: This book is an excellent examination of how a simple mistake can lead to unintended and harmful consequences if left unchecked. Keena is a real character with flaws that she admits to, and concedes that she has to work on them. She is incredibly likable, though, and many of the situations she falls into are laugh-out-loud funny, particularly when she hides under the other second-grade teacher’s desk since Erik claimed she was outlandishly amazing. That curiosity and commitment guides readers as she mistakenly writes the wrong birthday and then is left to remedy the situation without letting everyone know she messed up. It’s a situation many individuals find themselves in, but Keena serves as a reminder that things happen and there’s always tomorrow.
Why Included: This is an incredibly likable book with fun dialogue and a highly realistic plot. The work is also highly inclusive, with a strong female African American lead. Keena also lives in a single-parent home, though she still maintains a fantastic relationship with her father. This type of family structure is missing in a little of literature, so it’s a welcome addition here.