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Mrs. Hartwell's Classroom Adventures
Last Day Blues
Fans of First Day Jitters will love spending the last day of school in Mrs. Hartwell classroom.
What do teachers do for summer vacation? Mrs. Hartwell's students worry that their teacher will miss them while they are gone for the summer. The class comes up with a way to make sure Mrs. Hartwell won't be too sad. But Mrs. Hartwell and the other teachers have some plans of their own.Once again Julie Danneberg and Judy Love bring to life the crazy antics of Mrs. Hartwell and her class.
Perfect for an end-of-year storytime or teacher appreciation gift, Last Day Blues reminds everyone that teachers and students are more alike than we sometimes think.
What do teachers do for summer vacation? Mrs. Hartwell's students worry that their teacher will miss them while they are gone for the summer. The class comes up with a way to make sure Mrs. Hartwell won't be too sad. But Mrs. Hartwell and the other teachers have some plans of their own.Once again Julie Danneberg and Judy Love bring to life the crazy antics of Mrs. Hartwell and her class.
Perfect for an end-of-year storytime or teacher appreciation gift, Last Day Blues reminds everyone that teachers and students are more alike than we sometimes think.
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
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242 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
November 10, 2024
What do teachers do for summer vacation? Mrs. Hartwell's students worry that their teacher will miss them while they are gone for the summer. The class comes up with a way to make sure Mrs. Hartwell won't be too sad. But Mrs. Hartwell and the other teachers have some plans of their own.
December 3, 2020
I love the author Julie Dannenberg! So, when I saw that she had a book called “Last Day Blues”, I just knew that I had to read it! The illustrator, Judy Love, does an AMAZING job with the illustrations. The colors, facial expressions, and attention to detail are appealing to the eye and really helped with the storytelling. We’ve all been excited about the last day of school, but it also brings on some sad emotions. We may not see that teacher anymore or our friends. Some may even miss the school lunch! Dannenberg does an amazing job capturing all the emotions felt from the last days of school to the final day of school. Through the words and illustrations, the reader sees the thoughts and feelings of the students as well as the teachers and other school staff. This is an amazing book and would be great to read aloud on the last day of school. Read this book; I promise you won’t be disappointed!
July 17, 2012
While aide substituting last year, I read this to the second graders and I totally forgot about it until I saw it on the shelf at the library today. It follows a class as they near the end of the school year. The students dream of days without schoolwork and are certain the teachers will be miserable without them. The ending sports a nice twist...and very realistic.
May 16, 2025
I read this today because it is my last day of school noooooooo I am so sad and I Love school so much my favorite part was when the teacher saw the surprise
September 13, 2020
Charming follow up to the First Day Jitters. This time Mrs. Hartwell's class is facing their last school day together. Before that day comes they spend time figuring out what to get their teacher at the end of the year. They do their routines one last time and give Mrs. Hartwell their gift. Cute ending after the kids leave - worried that their teacher will be so sad. Instead, we see teachers looking forward to their break too.
February 20, 2009
Students think up a great way to help their teacher know how much they will miss her. Great final picture - especially for teachers!
September 20, 2009
last couple of pages are priceless.
May 22, 2018
A pretty spot on description of the last day of school from the perspective of both students and staff! Very cute illustrations!
December 31, 2018
Cute enough that since I read her first day book, we needed to end our 8th grade year by reading this one on the last day of school.
April 7, 2016
Title: Last Day Blues - Mrs. Hartwell's Classroom Adventures
Author: Julie Danneberg
Illustrator: Judy Love
Published: 2-1-2016
Pages: 32
Publisher: Charlesbridge
Genre: Children's Fiction
Sub Genre: Series; Friendship
ISBN: 9781580891042
Reviewer: DelAnne
Reviewed For: NetGalley
My Rating: 5 Stars
.
Mrs. Hartwell's class is excited that summer will soon be here but worry their beloved teacher will be sad with them going away for so long and want to give her a present that shows how much they love her. After many suggestions are mentioned they choose a giant poster that they decorate themselves telling why they think she is so special.
I was asked to sub for a teacher who was a dear friend who had been in an auto accident just six weeks before school was to come to a close for the summer. Expecting her back in 2 weeks, unfortunately complications kept her out for the rest of the year. The children were devastated thinking that Miss Holly would not be returning. Arrangements were made for Holly to come to closing day ceremonies and the class agreed to reproduce the poster for her as a gift not realizing they would be giving it to her in person. On the last day of school, following the graduation ceremonies, everyone was asked to remain seated for a special presentation to a valued member of the school. Holly's class was asked to return to the stage and Holly was wheeled out onto the stage by her husband at presented with the poster the children has made for her and a plaque naming her teacher of the year. I did notice the plaque was placed to her side and the rolled poster remained in her arms to be admired by herself and her students during the party that followed. If I had not seen this book I never would have even thought of this idea. It also helped Holly realize the impact she made with the students she taught and when returned in the fall she had her posted, matted, framed and under glass, in a place of prominence to show some of the things students would learn and do in the coming year. Easing the fears of the new kindergarten class.
Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/158...
Barnes and Noble link: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/last-...
GoodReads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
The Reading Room link: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
Author: Julie Danneberg
Illustrator: Judy Love
Published: 2-1-2016
Pages: 32
Publisher: Charlesbridge
Genre: Children's Fiction
Sub Genre: Series; Friendship
ISBN: 9781580891042
Reviewer: DelAnne
Reviewed For: NetGalley
My Rating: 5 Stars
.
Mrs. Hartwell's class is excited that summer will soon be here but worry their beloved teacher will be sad with them going away for so long and want to give her a present that shows how much they love her. After many suggestions are mentioned they choose a giant poster that they decorate themselves telling why they think she is so special.
I was asked to sub for a teacher who was a dear friend who had been in an auto accident just six weeks before school was to come to a close for the summer. Expecting her back in 2 weeks, unfortunately complications kept her out for the rest of the year. The children were devastated thinking that Miss Holly would not be returning. Arrangements were made for Holly to come to closing day ceremonies and the class agreed to reproduce the poster for her as a gift not realizing they would be giving it to her in person. On the last day of school, following the graduation ceremonies, everyone was asked to remain seated for a special presentation to a valued member of the school. Holly's class was asked to return to the stage and Holly was wheeled out onto the stage by her husband at presented with the poster the children has made for her and a plaque naming her teacher of the year. I did notice the plaque was placed to her side and the rolled poster remained in her arms to be admired by herself and her students during the party that followed. If I had not seen this book I never would have even thought of this idea. It also helped Holly realize the impact she made with the students she taught and when returned in the fall she had her posted, matted, framed and under glass, in a place of prominence to show some of the things students would learn and do in the coming year. Easing the fears of the new kindergarten class.
Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/158...
Barnes and Noble link: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/last-...
GoodReads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
The Reading Room link: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
December 2, 2019
This book is realistic fiction because the story takes place in a realistic and believable setting (school/classroom) and the characters (students/teachers) are faced with a realistic problem and they work together to come up with a solution. The characters also display feelings that young readers can easily relate to. The story could very well take place in real life, which is why the genre of this text is realistic fiction.
The story is a great read aloud for the last day of school. The students in the story are worried about their teacher because the school year is ending and they don't want her to be sad. They work together to give their teacher a special end of the year gift. At the end of the story, it shows what the last day of school might be like for both students and teachers. It shows the students leaving on their last day of school and their teachers throwing an end of the year celebration party.
You could use this book to teach students character traits, perspective, point of view, and/or plot.
An extension activity that you could do with this book could be to have your students create a poster that highlights their favorite memories they had with their teacher or classmates this past school year. They could then share their posters with their classmates.
The story is a great read aloud for the last day of school. The students in the story are worried about their teacher because the school year is ending and they don't want her to be sad. They work together to give their teacher a special end of the year gift. At the end of the story, it shows what the last day of school might be like for both students and teachers. It shows the students leaving on their last day of school and their teachers throwing an end of the year celebration party.
You could use this book to teach students character traits, perspective, point of view, and/or plot.
An extension activity that you could do with this book could be to have your students create a poster that highlights their favorite memories they had with their teacher or classmates this past school year. They could then share their posters with their classmates.
May 18, 2020
This book is all about the students preparing for the last day of school, they are sad to have to say goodbye, but they are so excited for the summer, they mostly feel bad for their teacher Mrs. Hartwell because she seems sad. They want to get her a present to cheer her up because they think she will be crying over her old lesson plans all summer. So the students write her a sweet poem and they all sign it. Mrs. Hartwell loves it, she waves goodbye as they all leave and as much as she will miss them, she too is very excited for vacation. The last page is even a picture of all the teachers celebrating.
I really liked this story. It was a very sweet story about the students who wanted to do something special for their teacher. It is also very funny because all the students are convinced that their teacher will not know what to do over the summer and will spend it crying, when she is really just excited about her vacation. The pictures are fun and silly and I really enjoyed the story. I would recommend this book.
I think this would be a fun book to read on the last day of school to students. It shows all the students sad to say goodbye but also gives them a chance to get excited for what is to come that summer. I also think that kids would enjoy the end and think that the book is funny.
I really liked this story. It was a very sweet story about the students who wanted to do something special for their teacher. It is also very funny because all the students are convinced that their teacher will not know what to do over the summer and will spend it crying, when she is really just excited about her vacation. The pictures are fun and silly and I really enjoyed the story. I would recommend this book.
I think this would be a fun book to read on the last day of school to students. It shows all the students sad to say goodbye but also gives them a chance to get excited for what is to come that summer. I also think that kids would enjoy the end and think that the book is funny.
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April 19, 2012Last Day Blues is a hilarious contemporary realistic fiction book written by Julie Danneberg and beautifully illustrated by Judy Love. During the last week of school, the students begin to feel sad on Monday. They are going to miss their teacher, friends, class pets, snack, recess, and they are certain that their teacher is going to be miserable without them this summer.The children want to do something nice for their teacher, but for a few days they can not all agree upon what to get her. As the week goes on, the children still feel sad about leaving but they become increasingly excited for what summer is to bring. They feel so bad for Mrs. Hartwell, she's really going to miss them. Finally, they decide to make her a poster, saying all the things they will miss about school, and the thing they will miss the most is her! As the children all leave school, they are rejoicing, but feeling bad for Mrs. Hartwell, thinking all the teachers are crying about how much they will miss their students. As you turn the page, all the teachers are jumping for joy at the thought of summer vacation! I would recommend this book for primary readers. It is funny, easy to read, and relateable.
October 19, 2019
“Last Day Blues” by Julie Danneberg is the story of a teacher, Mrs. Hartwell, and her classroom preparing for summer break. The book takes place during the last day of school as the students and their teacher all express how much they’ll miss school. Hearing that Mrs. Hartwell will miss her students, the class tries to come up with ideas for a present to cheer her up. Eventually they decide to write a poem for her and sign the poster with all of their names. On the last day of school, the students leave thinking that their teachers are heartbroken about school being out. In reality though, the book ends by showing all the fun things that the teachers do over the summer.
In my opinion, this was a cute book. But as I was reading it, I got somewhat bored. Although it seems to be targeted to older age levels, it felt very repetitive and I was ready for the story to end. However, it is a fun story and one that I am sure students can relate to. In a future classroom I might use this book toward the end of the year as a fun read aloud, and have my students write a poem like the students in the book.
In my opinion, this was a cute book. But as I was reading it, I got somewhat bored. Although it seems to be targeted to older age levels, it felt very repetitive and I was ready for the story to end. However, it is a fun story and one that I am sure students can relate to. In a future classroom I might use this book toward the end of the year as a fun read aloud, and have my students write a poem like the students in the book.
June 30, 2017
Synopsis: "It's the last week of school, and Mrs. Hartwell's class is excited to leave for summer vacation. The only problem is that the kids don't want their teacher to miss them while they're gone. Once again Julie Danneberg and Judy Love bring to life the crazy antics of Mrs. Hartwell and her class and show that teachers and students are more alike than different."
My Review: I figured this would be a fun book to read the last day of school with munchkin. It does seem to suit older kids who are in elementary school, but it was still fun. There is a lot going on in the illustrations, they are too busy for my liking but kids will really enjoy everything there is to look at. A great story about how teachers will miss their kids after the last day so the kids think of a good surprise for her. I think this might make a fun teacher gift in years to come.
My Review: I figured this would be a fun book to read the last day of school with munchkin. It does seem to suit older kids who are in elementary school, but it was still fun. There is a lot going on in the illustrations, they are too busy for my liking but kids will really enjoy everything there is to look at. A great story about how teachers will miss their kids after the last day so the kids think of a good surprise for her. I think this might make a fun teacher gift in years to come.
January 7, 2022
I had read before but never reviewed so decided to reread. This is a very fun book but it's not quite as good as First Day Jitters. It does have a cute little surprise at the end and it's a great book to read on the last day of school. I have a teacher at my school who reads First Day Jitters on the first day and Last Day Blues on the last day and I think that's so cute!
October 25, 2019
This is a fun book to read to your students on the last day of school. I have used it as an introduction to a fun last day of school activity where they make a list of the things they think I am going to do over the summer. It is always fun to gain the perspective of what your students think you will spend your summer doing!
May 19, 2017
Elementary students think their teacher will be sad to see the school year end and believe she'll spend her summer break rereading her lesson plans. Once the students leave, however, the teachers party. The illustrations are great.
June 21, 2018
This book is a must for reading aloud on the last day of school! It is very engaging, funny, sweet, and truly spot-on for what goes through the minds of students and teachers during that last week of school!
April 18, 2021
I enjoyed this book I think this would be a good book to read as it gets toward the end of the school year. I think students and teachers would be able to connect with how the characters in the book were feeling.
May 24, 2018
Really enjoyed this new book from a student. Cute, charming, and sincere.
October 7, 2018
The ending sure made me smile :)
May 21, 2019
Loved reading this. I will share with my class.
May 18, 2020
Cute end of the year book!
June 29, 2020
A fun sequel to First Day Jitters! Good book for the last few days.
May 14, 2021
My students love this book! What a great way to discuss different emotions and make inferences and predictions. Great addition to any classroom library!
June 11, 2021
cute book for last day of school, kind of hits the feels if you are a school employee and you are gonna miss your kids
October 11, 2023
Julie Danneberg is a superb picture book writer. Plus, she's an experienced teacher, and does that ever show in this book.
Well organized, like any lesson plan with a professional elementary school teacher, hello! We readers can hardly find the underlying structure, and the clever planning behind it, as we read this delectable story. (Unless we take a close look, that is. Then the superb design shows through quite elegantly.)
Suspense builds around how the students are going to give their teacher a goodbye gift. Eventually, of course, they arrive at the perfect solution. What can I say about that gift? It's cute.
More adorable, to me, is the hilarious double page spread on the last two pages. Not that I'm going to deliver a spoiler, no no!
This FIVE STAR book commands respect.
Thanks, author Julie, and also illustrator Judy Love. You know how to speak the language of children, yet you're both totally fluent in how to speak to grownups as well.
Well organized, like any lesson plan with a professional elementary school teacher, hello! We readers can hardly find the underlying structure, and the clever planning behind it, as we read this delectable story. (Unless we take a close look, that is. Then the superb design shows through quite elegantly.)
Suspense builds around how the students are going to give their teacher a goodbye gift. Eventually, of course, they arrive at the perfect solution. What can I say about that gift? It's cute.
More adorable, to me, is the hilarious double page spread on the last two pages. Not that I'm going to deliver a spoiler, no no!
This FIVE STAR book commands respect.
Thanks, author Julie, and also illustrator Judy Love. You know how to speak the language of children, yet you're both totally fluent in how to speak to grownups as well.
January 20, 2023
Last Day Blues by Julie Danneberg was about the students in Mrs. Hartwell’s class feeling bad for her because it was the last week of school. All week they worked on coming up with the best present so that she could have something that would cheer her up because they were afraid she was going to be very upset without them over the summer. Little did they know, the last day of school made Mrs. Hartwell very happy. I thought this was a very cute book because it gives students an insight into the reality that teachers have a life outside of school. I would use this book in my classroom on the last day/week of school because it would align perfectly with what is happening in their own lives and allow them to relate and make connections.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews