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Clementine #5
Clementine and the Family Meeting
This New York Times bestselling chapter book series has been keeping readers engaged and laughing for more than a decade with over one million copies sold!
Clementine's having a nervous breakdown. The FAMILY MEETING! sign is up in her house, and she just knows she's in trouble for something. Has she been too mean to her little brother? Too sloppy? Eating too much junk food? Try as she might to find out what's on the agenda, her parents won't reveal anything before the meeting.
As far as Clementine is concerned, the agenda should be something "We're getting a gorilla." But no, it's something entirely different. "We're talking about a new baby," says her father. "A sibling for you two. What do you think about that?" NO THANKS! is what Clementine thinks. After all, four is the perfect number for a family. There are four sides to a table, not five. Will Clementine learn to make room for one more?
Clementine's having a nervous breakdown. The FAMILY MEETING! sign is up in her house, and she just knows she's in trouble for something. Has she been too mean to her little brother? Too sloppy? Eating too much junk food? Try as she might to find out what's on the agenda, her parents won't reveal anything before the meeting.
As far as Clementine is concerned, the agenda should be something "We're getting a gorilla." But no, it's something entirely different. "We're talking about a new baby," says her father. "A sibling for you two. What do you think about that?" NO THANKS! is what Clementine thinks. After all, four is the perfect number for a family. There are four sides to a table, not five. Will Clementine learn to make room for one more?
176 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 210 reviews
December 17, 2011
I thought I was getting burnt-out on the series, but, looking back, I think I was just projecting my hatred of my job. I still hate my job, but, today, I don't blame Clementine. These books are the perfect introduction to the joys of fiction for beginning readers (Girls at least. My policy at that age was pretty much, "No guns? No, thanks."), but they address some pretty grown-up difficulties in pretty grown-up ways. Clementine and the Family Meeting is about negotiating change and loss. Pennypacker, through Clementine, is adept at surprising metaphors made even more immediate and pleasing by dramatic irony. For example, Clementine, feeling bored and jealous because of her best friend Margaret's new interest in make up, says, "Whenever Margaret talks about makeup, I feel exactly the way I felt when we took my grandparents to the airport so they could move to Florida; lonely. Even though Margaret isn't going anywhere, when she talks about makeup, I feel like I'm back at the airport again and she's getting on a plane for a long trip to somewhere without me." Reading a book like this makes me almost well up with gratitude. It was made with wit and care and craft, in contrast to the steaming piles of cynical sentimentality and pandering that comprise the vast majority of books published for children.
February 17, 2018
This fifth Clementine novel does not disappoint. There is a science project in jeopardy, a family meeting to worry about, a missing favorite hat, her dad's new tool belt (Did he really get it from the president of the United States?), Margaret's makeup obsession and more. . . Love how Clementine describes her feelings in sections. Great way for kids to relate to having mixed feelings. Recommended!
September 28, 2019
I love Clementine, and clementines; her name suits her perfectly. I love the education we get about vegetables as she nicknames her little brother (age 4 already!) Spinach, Acorn Squash, etc. I think their family was perfect the way it was, not too sure but what I'm more leery of the change than Clementine herself is. I think I'm going to have to reread the series from the beginning....
April 6, 2011
Here we are at book #5 in this new series, and Clementine is still as humorous, realistic, and refreshing as ever. I just love this kid.
Family Meetings usually mean Clementine is in trouble. But not this time. This time the news might even be worse than getting in trouble: there's going to be a new baby in the family. Just what Clementine did not need. Their family is perfect the way it is! Their kitchen table has four sides, so four people have their own place at the table, and that's all they need. Period. Only Clementine doesn't get a vote here, apparently.
Clementine's relationship with her parents is realistic and wonderful. Her clever father shines as an exceptional parental figure in children's literature; he is patient, innovative, and funny. For one moment in this book (at the hardware store) I was afraid he was about to fail his savvy girl, but no. Pennypacker just threw me (and Clementine) off for a sec. Whew.
Clementine's interactions with her school faculty are spot-on and so adorable. (I see kids like her sitting in the office occasionally, and no matter what they've done to wind up there, I still think they're the cutest ever. That's how I feel about this girl, too.) She's never ugly or defiant, just curious and genuinely concerned about things that don't particularly concern the adults around her.
Another shared moment between Clementine and her father leads to the perfect ending for this book. I can't wait to see what's next in Clementine's world.
Family Meetings usually mean Clementine is in trouble. But not this time. This time the news might even be worse than getting in trouble: there's going to be a new baby in the family. Just what Clementine did not need. Their family is perfect the way it is! Their kitchen table has four sides, so four people have their own place at the table, and that's all they need. Period. Only Clementine doesn't get a vote here, apparently.
Clementine's relationship with her parents is realistic and wonderful. Her clever father shines as an exceptional parental figure in children's literature; he is patient, innovative, and funny. For one moment in this book (at the hardware store) I was afraid he was about to fail his savvy girl, but no. Pennypacker just threw me (and Clementine) off for a sec. Whew.
Clementine's interactions with her school faculty are spot-on and so adorable. (I see kids like her sitting in the office occasionally, and no matter what they've done to wind up there, I still think they're the cutest ever. That's how I feel about this girl, too.) She's never ugly or defiant, just curious and genuinely concerned about things that don't particularly concern the adults around her.
Another shared moment between Clementine and her father leads to the perfect ending for this book. I can't wait to see what's next in Clementine's world.
April 19, 2020
Ha, the days of remembering those FAMILY MEETINGS... when all kids know with everything inside them that everything wrong in the family will be blamed on them. I assume this is particularly true for those only children whose cry is usually 'why me?'...
Poor Clementine, she is pretty afraid that she has done something to cause a problem in the home... the FAMILY MEETING has been called. While she worries about what the meeting is about, she runs all of the possible mistakes she might have made only to find out the worst! A BABY! Clementine has a unique perspective on the age-old issue of sibling rivalry. Great for middle school readers... and me too!
A very sweet read.. 4 stars...
Happy Reading!
Poor Clementine, she is pretty afraid that she has done something to cause a problem in the home... the FAMILY MEETING has been called. While she worries about what the meeting is about, she runs all of the possible mistakes she might have made only to find out the worst! A BABY! Clementine has a unique perspective on the age-old issue of sibling rivalry. Great for middle school readers... and me too!
A very sweet read.. 4 stars...
Happy Reading!
May 7, 2012
Okay, I need to stop listing these shorter children's books that Andrew and I have been enjoying; however, I can't avoid listing Pennypacker's newest Clementine. Andrew and I continue to love Clementine and all her nuttiness. I'm quite certain that author writes this series with us in mind.
November 28, 2017
162 pages. Great realistic fiction with a family situation every kid can relate to. Lots of humor and fun. Highly recommended for Grades 3-5.
October 16, 2018
I enjoyed this one with my autistic daughter Madi (15) while driving to Duke today. She loves this series and I do too.
April 1, 2011
I received an advanced reader’s copy of Clementine and The Family Meeting by Sarah Pennypacker from NetGalley.
I am always excited when a new Clementine adventure is published. I’ve enjoyed all of the previous books and so have my elementary students. This book was no exception. In fact, it might be my favorite Clementine book.
Clementine is very worried. The FAMILY MEETING! sign has been posted on the fridge. This usually means that Clementine is in trouble. What could she have done now? Was she too messy? Did she eat too much junk food or was she too mean to Potato – uh, her I mean her little brother? No matter how she schemes to find out what’s on the agenda, her parents tell her she has to wait until the meeting. Hoping the meeting is not about her being in trouble, but is instead about the family getting a pet gorilla, Clementine is dismayed to learn the meeting is about a new baby. She and Spinach are getting a baby brother or sister. Clementine very politely tells her parents “No. Thanks!” After all their family is perfect as it is. There are four of them and there are four sides to the table. How will Clementine cope? Her friend Margaret tells Clementine that if HER mom were going to have a baby, Margaret would just move to California. Great! Not only does Clementine have to worry about a new addition to the family, she’s now worried about Margaret moving away. Adding to all the upheaval is a missing school science project. Will Clementine be able to sort everything out and make room for one more?
Pennypacker has captured the true essence of kid in Clementine. She’s a truly lovable character. Older readers (parents) may just recognize their own children in some of Clementine’s antics. She’s not perfect, but she tries very hard and she’s got a big heart (one big enough for a new baby and Acorn Squash.*) Children who are struggling with sharing Mom and Dad (and grandparents) with a new sibling will relate to Clementine’s struggles. This is a great resource for helping children work through the issue of sibling rivalry.
Recommended as a read alone for Grades 3 and up or a great Read A Loud for 2nd Grade.
Mrs. Archer’s rating: 5 of 5!
*Clementine frequently refers to her little brother by vegetable names. She thinks this is only fair since she, herself is named after a fruit. In the continuing spirit of fairness she suggests the new baby have a food name as well, perhaps Mushroom Soup?
I am always excited when a new Clementine adventure is published. I’ve enjoyed all of the previous books and so have my elementary students. This book was no exception. In fact, it might be my favorite Clementine book.
Clementine is very worried. The FAMILY MEETING! sign has been posted on the fridge. This usually means that Clementine is in trouble. What could she have done now? Was she too messy? Did she eat too much junk food or was she too mean to Potato – uh, her I mean her little brother? No matter how she schemes to find out what’s on the agenda, her parents tell her she has to wait until the meeting. Hoping the meeting is not about her being in trouble, but is instead about the family getting a pet gorilla, Clementine is dismayed to learn the meeting is about a new baby. She and Spinach are getting a baby brother or sister. Clementine very politely tells her parents “No. Thanks!” After all their family is perfect as it is. There are four of them and there are four sides to the table. How will Clementine cope? Her friend Margaret tells Clementine that if HER mom were going to have a baby, Margaret would just move to California. Great! Not only does Clementine have to worry about a new addition to the family, she’s now worried about Margaret moving away. Adding to all the upheaval is a missing school science project. Will Clementine be able to sort everything out and make room for one more?
Pennypacker has captured the true essence of kid in Clementine. She’s a truly lovable character. Older readers (parents) may just recognize their own children in some of Clementine’s antics. She’s not perfect, but she tries very hard and she’s got a big heart (one big enough for a new baby and Acorn Squash.*) Children who are struggling with sharing Mom and Dad (and grandparents) with a new sibling will relate to Clementine’s struggles. This is a great resource for helping children work through the issue of sibling rivalry.
Recommended as a read alone for Grades 3 and up or a great Read A Loud for 2nd Grade.
Mrs. Archer’s rating: 5 of 5!
*Clementine frequently refers to her little brother by vegetable names. She thinks this is only fair since she, herself is named after a fruit. In the continuing spirit of fairness she suggests the new baby have a food name as well, perhaps Mushroom Soup?
May 22, 2011
OK. All quotes are coming from an electronic ARC so ... page numbers are going to be off. But I can't help sharing a few. They make me laugh.
"Then Margaret had blabbered on and on about advanced lip-gloss tips and the proper application of eyeliner until I thought I would die of bore-dumb." (pg 8)
I will NEVER hear that word the same way again.
"I opened my backpack and pulled out my important papers folder and ... [it] was still there! I'm supposed to keep it until the end of the project, and every day that it's still in my backpack feels like a miracle." (pg 11)
I so understand that feeling.
I need to stop collecting quotes. It's slowing my reading down. ;]
"My inside clock keeps perfect time, and so I am never late for anything. Okay, fine, I'm late a lot, but it's only because I forget to set my inside clock. But I was remembering now." (pg 18)
Yep. Been there, too. Didn't know I had so much in common with Clementine.
"'What's on the agenda?' I asked. Agenda is Latin for 'list of stuff to talk about,' so when you say it, you're saving your mouth a lot of work. Plus, you sound smart." (pg 22)
HA! As a teacher faced with too many meetings lately ... I wish more agendas sounded smart.
"It's the teacher's job to teach and the students' job to learn. Both of you have to decide about how best to do that." (pg 66)
SO TRUE.
I absolutely cannot wait to share this with my students. As school gets out in a week it won't be until the fall. But you can bet I'll be adding more orange Clementine spines to our Pennypacker bookshelf!
"Then Margaret had blabbered on and on about advanced lip-gloss tips and the proper application of eyeliner until I thought I would die of bore-dumb." (pg 8)
I will NEVER hear that word the same way again.
"I opened my backpack and pulled out my important papers folder and ... [it] was still there! I'm supposed to keep it until the end of the project, and every day that it's still in my backpack feels like a miracle." (pg 11)
I so understand that feeling.
I need to stop collecting quotes. It's slowing my reading down. ;]
"My inside clock keeps perfect time, and so I am never late for anything. Okay, fine, I'm late a lot, but it's only because I forget to set my inside clock. But I was remembering now." (pg 18)
Yep. Been there, too. Didn't know I had so much in common with Clementine.
"'What's on the agenda?' I asked. Agenda is Latin for 'list of stuff to talk about,' so when you say it, you're saving your mouth a lot of work. Plus, you sound smart." (pg 22)
HA! As a teacher faced with too many meetings lately ... I wish more agendas sounded smart.
"It's the teacher's job to teach and the students' job to learn. Both of you have to decide about how best to do that." (pg 66)
SO TRUE.
I absolutely cannot wait to share this with my students. As school gets out in a week it won't be until the fall. But you can bet I'll be adding more orange Clementine spines to our Pennypacker bookshelf!
January 5, 2012
Clementine is sure she’s in trouble again - why else would the “family meeting” sign be posted? No matter how much she begs, her mom just won’t tell her what the meeting is about. Clementine is used to family meetings where she has to think about being nicer to her little brother, being better behaved, trying harder. But nothing prepares her for the news at this family meeting: a new baby is on the way. Clementine is not taking the news well. Their family of four suits her just fine.
"Four can be two and two sometimes, and nobody is lonely. Two kids and two grown-ups. Two boys and two girls. There are four sides to the kitchen table, so we each get one."
Change is hard, and Pennypacker captures this pitch-perfectly in the 5th installment of this popular series for readers new to chapter books. Even Clementine’s best friend Margaret is changing in crazy ways. Having just returned from visiting her father in Hollywood, Margaret is now obsessed with makeup. Clementine’s special relationship with her father is particularly touching in this story. He knows how to comfort her, joke with her and make her feel understood.
"Four can be two and two sometimes, and nobody is lonely. Two kids and two grown-ups. Two boys and two girls. There are four sides to the kitchen table, so we each get one."
Change is hard, and Pennypacker captures this pitch-perfectly in the 5th installment of this popular series for readers new to chapter books. Even Clementine’s best friend Margaret is changing in crazy ways. Having just returned from visiting her father in Hollywood, Margaret is now obsessed with makeup. Clementine’s special relationship with her father is particularly touching in this story. He knows how to comfort her, joke with her and make her feel understood.
November 7, 2015
This book did its job. It entertained me. But it wasn't too "special". It was a normal middle grade book. I've always enjoyed Clementine books, and this is possibly my favorite. Clementine is really naive, but mayne it's her age. i recommend this book. But Only for people who enjoy middle grade.
January 30, 2022
Read to my 3rd and 4th graders. My favorite one in the series so far!
September 6, 2016
When Clementine sees the family meeting sign hanging in the kitchen, she's sure she's done something wrong, and immediately starts to have a nervous breakdown. It turns out, though, after pestering her parents and worrying all day long, that the meeting has nothing to do with Clementine's behavior at all. Rather, it is her parents who have big news - they want to have another baby. Clementine is immediately displeased. Four is the perfect number, she says, and there's no reason to mess with perfection. Margaret, Clementine's older friend, piles on as well, saying that if this was happening in her family, she'd never allow it. Throughout the book, Clementine struggles to accept the idea of a second sibling, while also dealing with Margaret's new grown-up interest in wearing make-up and trying to convince her father to allow her to wear his tool belt.
I was somewhat wary of this plot line at first, since so many children's books already deal with the same subject matter, but I quickly got past that sticking point when I realized I really wanted to see how Clementine would react in this situation. And she did not disappoint. Clementine's thoughts about the new baby are completely unique, and very funny. I also enjoyed seeing her interact with her brother, whose name, alas, we still do not know, and there are some especially sweet moments between Clementine and her dad as well. I also really enjoyed Clementine's latest school predicament - Waylon, her science partner, wants to demonstrate walking through a wall, and Clementine is quite convinced he doesn't actually have superpowers.
Clementine is such a relatable and real character, and I love her stable, loving, and warm family. Her parents know just how to deal with her sometimes tricky personality, and they love her unconditionally in spite of her flaws. I like that Clementine has definite difficulties, but that none of them are truly traumatic or insurmountable.
I was somewhat wary of this plot line at first, since so many children's books already deal with the same subject matter, but I quickly got past that sticking point when I realized I really wanted to see how Clementine would react in this situation. And she did not disappoint. Clementine's thoughts about the new baby are completely unique, and very funny. I also enjoyed seeing her interact with her brother, whose name, alas, we still do not know, and there are some especially sweet moments between Clementine and her dad as well. I also really enjoyed Clementine's latest school predicament - Waylon, her science partner, wants to demonstrate walking through a wall, and Clementine is quite convinced he doesn't actually have superpowers.
Clementine is such a relatable and real character, and I love her stable, loving, and warm family. Her parents know just how to deal with her sometimes tricky personality, and they love her unconditionally in spite of her flaws. I like that Clementine has definite difficulties, but that none of them are truly traumatic or insurmountable.
June 6, 2012
Eight and a half year old Clementine is worried. “I’m having a nervous breakdown … Our FAMILY MEETING! sign is up, and I have to wait until tonight to find out if I am in trouble.” Thankfully, Clementine’s parents don’t want to talk about her behavior. Instead, they have an announcement: “We’re talking about a new baby … What do you think about that?” Clementine thinks the idea is terrible. “No thanks to more people! Our family is four … Four is a perfect number for our family!” A new sibling is not Clementine’s only problem: her science project is ruined, she has lost her favorite hat from Grandma, and her friend Margaret is wearing makeup!
In scenes that are both funny and touching, author Sara Pennypacker skillfully captures the turmoil Clementine experiences as she grapples with the familiar issues of growing up and feeling displaced by a new sibling. Clementine’s parents are patient and sincere as they support their kind-hearted, quirky daughter as she adjusts to the idea of their family going from four to five. Clementine learns that change is not the end of the world, and growing up has its benefits. Through Clementine’s father, Pennypacker offers comfort to children experiencing change: “[Life] will feel crazy sometimes, and like it’s moving too fast. But it will be fine, we’ll adapt.” Pen and ink illustrations by Marla Frazee bring these realistic, charming characters to life. Early chapter book readers are sure to enjoy this 5th installment in the Clementine series.
In scenes that are both funny and touching, author Sara Pennypacker skillfully captures the turmoil Clementine experiences as she grapples with the familiar issues of growing up and feeling displaced by a new sibling. Clementine’s parents are patient and sincere as they support their kind-hearted, quirky daughter as she adjusts to the idea of their family going from four to five. Clementine learns that change is not the end of the world, and growing up has its benefits. Through Clementine’s father, Pennypacker offers comfort to children experiencing change: “[Life] will feel crazy sometimes, and like it’s moving too fast. But it will be fine, we’ll adapt.” Pen and ink illustrations by Marla Frazee bring these realistic, charming characters to life. Early chapter book readers are sure to enjoy this 5th installment in the Clementine series.
June 15, 2012
Clementine and the Family Meeting by Sara Pennypacker
I would love having Clementine in my class at school. She is herself at all times. I admire that. She would be a great friend. She is creative and funny. Although I have to say she does some things that would make my 9-year old self a little nervous. (I didn’t like getting into trouble.) She is committed to her family and she always tried her best. It’s just that things don’t always work out smoothly. When this book begins Clementine's having a nervous breakdown. The "Family Meeting!" sign is up in her house. She knows she must be in trouble for something, but she can’t figure out what it is. Try as she might to find out what's on the agenda, her parents won't give her even the smallest, teeniest clue before the meeting.
Clementine gets through that meeting just fine, but in the end initiates a meeting of her own to let her family know how she would like to deal with the changes in their lives. In between she tries to work with Waylon to create a science project – he wants to try transmogrification – and with Margaret her year-older neighbor who is thinking makeup is the coolest thing. Clementine is not so sure.
One of my favorite parts of the story is how Clementine (named after a fruit) always calls her little brother Squash or Yam or Bean Sprout throughout the books. It seems as though she might find him annoying, but really he turns out to be a pretty great kid to be a sister to.
Read all the Clementine books. They’re fun and refreshing and real.
I would love having Clementine in my class at school. She is herself at all times. I admire that. She would be a great friend. She is creative and funny. Although I have to say she does some things that would make my 9-year old self a little nervous. (I didn’t like getting into trouble.) She is committed to her family and she always tried her best. It’s just that things don’t always work out smoothly. When this book begins Clementine's having a nervous breakdown. The "Family Meeting!" sign is up in her house. She knows she must be in trouble for something, but she can’t figure out what it is. Try as she might to find out what's on the agenda, her parents won't give her even the smallest, teeniest clue before the meeting.
Clementine gets through that meeting just fine, but in the end initiates a meeting of her own to let her family know how she would like to deal with the changes in their lives. In between she tries to work with Waylon to create a science project – he wants to try transmogrification – and with Margaret her year-older neighbor who is thinking makeup is the coolest thing. Clementine is not so sure.
One of my favorite parts of the story is how Clementine (named after a fruit) always calls her little brother Squash or Yam or Bean Sprout throughout the books. It seems as though she might find him annoying, but really he turns out to be a pretty great kid to be a sister to.
Read all the Clementine books. They’re fun and refreshing and real.
July 10, 2013
CLEMENTINE AND THE FAMILY MEETING
By Sara Pennypacker
Clementine and the Family Meeting is a book about and girl named Clementine. A few things you should know about her is that she calls her little brother Spinach since she thinks it’s so not fair that she had to have a food name and Spinach didn’t. In this story Clementine is having a nervous breakdown. She had seen the sign on the Fridge that said FAMILY MEETING! And knew that usually family meetings were about bad things she’d done. That’s why. Had she been to mean to her little brother? Did she eat too much junk food? Too sloppy? She sure wished she knew. But every time she asked them they wouldn’t reveal a thing. As far as she’s concerned they need a completely new gorilla. But when the time comes everyone seems surprised. My favorite character is Clementine because she has a positive attitude and is very nice. The ending to this story is that what her parents tell the kids. They were going to have a new person in the house. Clementine was mad, mad, and mad. It was already a crazy house with two kids! They can’t have anyone else living where they lived! They reveal that they are going to have a baby boy. Clementine is even madder. One more boy? Well, she actually calms down. She had been told that she could help her father with about everything in the building. She would be his closest kid but not his favorite since all of them would be his favorite. Read this book!
By Sara Pennypacker
Clementine and the Family Meeting is a book about and girl named Clementine. A few things you should know about her is that she calls her little brother Spinach since she thinks it’s so not fair that she had to have a food name and Spinach didn’t. In this story Clementine is having a nervous breakdown. She had seen the sign on the Fridge that said FAMILY MEETING! And knew that usually family meetings were about bad things she’d done. That’s why. Had she been to mean to her little brother? Did she eat too much junk food? Too sloppy? She sure wished she knew. But every time she asked them they wouldn’t reveal a thing. As far as she’s concerned they need a completely new gorilla. But when the time comes everyone seems surprised. My favorite character is Clementine because she has a positive attitude and is very nice. The ending to this story is that what her parents tell the kids. They were going to have a new person in the house. Clementine was mad, mad, and mad. It was already a crazy house with two kids! They can’t have anyone else living where they lived! They reveal that they are going to have a baby boy. Clementine is even madder. One more boy? Well, she actually calms down. She had been told that she could help her father with about everything in the building. She would be his closest kid but not his favorite since all of them would be his favorite. Read this book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2011
I love Sara Pennypacker’s funny and quirky character Clementine! These books always make me laugh and they are perfect as a family read or for that beginning reader just coming out of their first chapter books. In Pennypacker’s new book, Clementine and the Family Meeting, Clementine finds herself facing the prospect of a new brother or sister and not quite sure how to handle it. With the help of a rat named Eighteen and her new grown up tool belt, Clementine comes to terms with having a new baby in the family although she does think it’s only fair that this baby have a food name too, perhaps Mushroom Soup.
Pennypacker takes a fun look at a subject that many kids find themselves in. I enjoy all the characters in this series and am still wondering what Clementine’s brother’s real name is. This book is perfect for children who will become big brothers or sisters and for those who just enjoy a good laugh. I love the fact that Clementine finds herself in unique situations yet is by no means a brat. This series is one of my favorite book recommends for that 6-10 year age range. I will be more than happy to hand sell this one and look forward to the seeing the art work in the finished version.
Pennypacker takes a fun look at a subject that many kids find themselves in. I enjoy all the characters in this series and am still wondering what Clementine’s brother’s real name is. This book is perfect for children who will become big brothers or sisters and for those who just enjoy a good laugh. I love the fact that Clementine finds herself in unique situations yet is by no means a brat. This series is one of my favorite book recommends for that 6-10 year age range. I will be more than happy to hand sell this one and look forward to the seeing the art work in the finished version.
July 9, 2011
This title was reviewed from and electronic galley received from NetGalley.
Clementine and the Family Meeting is a fantastic new installment to the lovable Clementine series by Sara Pennypacker. We follow Clementine through her day leading up to the FAMILY MEETING! Her day does not go well. First she must listen to Margaret go on and on about perfect lipstick techniques, then science project, a rat named Eighteen, has escaped. Next she must go home and worry until it is time for the FAMILY MEETING!
Clementine think and thinks trying to figure out what she did. Whenever her Dad calls a meeting it is because some of his tools have gone missing and are eventually found under Clementine's bed. While her mother calls meetings when she thinks Clementine and Squash, her little brother (whose real name is not yet known), are not eating healthy enough. Clementine tries her very best to find out what is on the agenda for the meeting, but her mom just wont tell her. Want to find out what the FAMILY MEETING! is all about? Then you have to pick up a copy of Clementine and the Family Meeting and follow Clementine as she figures out how to be a good big sister, a good science project partner, and tries to remember where she left her favorite hat.
Clementine and the Family Meeting is a fantastic new installment to the lovable Clementine series by Sara Pennypacker. We follow Clementine through her day leading up to the FAMILY MEETING! Her day does not go well. First she must listen to Margaret go on and on about perfect lipstick techniques, then science project, a rat named Eighteen, has escaped. Next she must go home and worry until it is time for the FAMILY MEETING!
Clementine think and thinks trying to figure out what she did. Whenever her Dad calls a meeting it is because some of his tools have gone missing and are eventually found under Clementine's bed. While her mother calls meetings when she thinks Clementine and Squash, her little brother (whose real name is not yet known), are not eating healthy enough. Clementine tries her very best to find out what is on the agenda for the meeting, but her mom just wont tell her. Want to find out what the FAMILY MEETING! is all about? Then you have to pick up a copy of Clementine and the Family Meeting and follow Clementine as she figures out how to be a good big sister, a good science project partner, and tries to remember where she left her favorite hat.
February 7, 2012
In Clementine and the Family Meeting by Sarah Pennypacker is the fifth of the Clementine series. Clementine's life is about to change and it all begins with the dreaded family meeting.
At school Clementine has to contend with her missing lab rat (number 18) and her lab partners' unrealistic expectations of what can be accomplished with such short notice. Clementine, like Horrible Harry, has a soft spot for living creatures. She's more distraught over the well being of missing eighteen than on what the rat's absence will do for her grade.
At home, Clementine has a family meeting looming. She's been extra good and can't figure what she could have possibly done to warrant a meeting. I felt bad for her as she fretted over the unknown.
The problems at school and the problems at home are thematically tied. While Clementine isn't happy with the family news, she does come to accept it. She also sees it as an opportunity to find the missing eighteen by rethinking the rat's disappearance.
I recommend the book to fans of the series, kids who are ready to move on from the Junie B. Jones books, and children who are faced with being big brothers or sisters in the near future.
At school Clementine has to contend with her missing lab rat (number 18) and her lab partners' unrealistic expectations of what can be accomplished with such short notice. Clementine, like Horrible Harry, has a soft spot for living creatures. She's more distraught over the well being of missing eighteen than on what the rat's absence will do for her grade.
At home, Clementine has a family meeting looming. She's been extra good and can't figure what she could have possibly done to warrant a meeting. I felt bad for her as she fretted over the unknown.
The problems at school and the problems at home are thematically tied. While Clementine isn't happy with the family news, she does come to accept it. She also sees it as an opportunity to find the missing eighteen by rethinking the rat's disappearance.
I recommend the book to fans of the series, kids who are ready to move on from the Junie B. Jones books, and children who are faced with being big brothers or sisters in the near future.
December 9, 2012
In this story, Clementine finds out that her mother is going to have a baby. At first she is not happy about this, but she begins to understand that there will also be good that comes from this big change. In a parallel story, her rat from science class has gotten lost and her hat has gone missing. Will something good come out of this situation? You bet, but you will have to read to find out what that is. The neat thing about these books is that Clementine says her feelings are in sections (just like a Clementine fruit) – some sections might feel happy while others feel confused and still others feel another way. This is a great analogy for how children might feel about different things. It is not necessary to feel completely happy about something – or completely sad – or completely mad. The perspective is very interesting and liberating. One extension idea is to provide children with an orange circle cut out of construction paper. The children can then divide the circle into as many parts as they want – each signifying something different about themselves.
The audio version of this story is fun to listen to and is an ALSC Notable Recording.
The audio version of this story is fun to listen to and is an ALSC Notable Recording.
April 2, 2014
Clementine's having a nervous breakdown. The FAMILY MEETING! sign is up in her house, and she just knows she's in trouble for something. Has she been too mean to her little brother? Too sloppy? Eating too much junk food? Try as she might to find out what's on the agenda, her parents won't reveal anything before the meeting. As far as Clementine is concerned, the agenda should be something like: "We're getting a gorilla." But no, it's something entirely different. "We're talking about a new baby," says her father. "A brother or sister for you two. What do you think about that?" NO THANKS! is what Clementine thinks. After all, four is the perfect number for a family. There are four sides to a table, not five. Will Clementine learn to make room for one more?
Readers will chuckle at Clementine's unique perspective on the age-old issue of sibling rivalry.
I really enjoyed the first in this series - I'm hoping this will be just as enjoyable.
Clementine is still as funny and quirky as ever! This would be such a fun read aloud - her voice is just so uniquely hers. I especially like her dialogues with her dad.
Readers will chuckle at Clementine's unique perspective on the age-old issue of sibling rivalry.
I really enjoyed the first in this series - I'm hoping this will be just as enjoyable.
Clementine is still as funny and quirky as ever! This would be such a fun read aloud - her voice is just so uniquely hers. I especially like her dialogues with her dad.
May 27, 2018
An impending Family Meeting leaves Clementine questioning what she's done wrong. But even though this time the meeting isn't about her, her parent's big surprise doesn't exactly have Clementine feeling relieved. With the loss of her science project, Margaret's newest obsession alienating her, and change in the air, even Clementine is at a loss when it comes to concocting a solution.
With strong coming-of-age themes, Clementine and the Family Meeting explores family dynamics, change, and responsibility. Unlike the previous Clementine books, this addition to the series uses humor more sparingly and focuses on how Clementine deals with her emotions in the face of a situation she has no power to change.
This is my third Clementine book, and I'm impressed by the gradual character growth that the series is showing. Clementine is learning to think before she acts, is communicating with her teachers and parents instead of leaping to action, and uses past experiences to inform her decisions. While this wasn't my favorite episode, I'll be keeping an eye out for the rest of the series.
With strong coming-of-age themes, Clementine and the Family Meeting explores family dynamics, change, and responsibility. Unlike the previous Clementine books, this addition to the series uses humor more sparingly and focuses on how Clementine deals with her emotions in the face of a situation she has no power to change.
This is my third Clementine book, and I'm impressed by the gradual character growth that the series is showing. Clementine is learning to think before she acts, is communicating with her teachers and parents instead of leaping to action, and uses past experiences to inform her decisions. While this wasn't my favorite episode, I'll be keeping an eye out for the rest of the series.
December 14, 2018
Oh Clementine. Every time I pick up one of your books, I tell myself it's probably not as good as I remember. But then an hour has passed and I'm turning the final page and I remember how wildly relatable you are, and how much I adore each story.
"I pointed to the mess in the kitchen. 'Look at us! Lima Bean puts toy trucks in the ziti and we used a drill gun to stir the muffins this morning because we couldn't find the mixer and my rat is missing, which isn't my fault, and so is my hat, and maybe that is my fault, but how is a baby going to help with anything, that's what I want to know! It's all moving too fast and we're not ready!'
'Oh, honey,' my mom said. 'Life is always moving too fast and we're never ready. That's how life is. But somehow that's just perfect.' She dragged Zucchini out of the cupboard and hauled him off to get his pajamas on.
'Your mother,' my dad said, 'is exactly right. Things are always changing- that's life. And this?' He spread his hands to the tornadoed kitchen. 'Us? Toy-truck ziti, missing hats, drill-gun mixers? Well, this is how we roll, Clementine. This is how we roll.'"
"I pointed to the mess in the kitchen. 'Look at us! Lima Bean puts toy trucks in the ziti and we used a drill gun to stir the muffins this morning because we couldn't find the mixer and my rat is missing, which isn't my fault, and so is my hat, and maybe that is my fault, but how is a baby going to help with anything, that's what I want to know! It's all moving too fast and we're not ready!'
'Oh, honey,' my mom said. 'Life is always moving too fast and we're never ready. That's how life is. But somehow that's just perfect.' She dragged Zucchini out of the cupboard and hauled him off to get his pajamas on.
'Your mother,' my dad said, 'is exactly right. Things are always changing- that's life. And this?' He spread his hands to the tornadoed kitchen. 'Us? Toy-truck ziti, missing hats, drill-gun mixers? Well, this is how we roll, Clementine. This is how we roll.'"
November 5, 2011
Clementine keeps getting better with each new book. This one will speak especially loudly to many kids, as its focus is on change: both its inevitability in our lives, & how difficult it can be to accept. Many things are changing in Clementine's life, & she's pretty sure she'd just like it to stop right now & go back to how it was. Most drastically, at a family meeting, Clementine's parents make the shocking announcement that there's going to be a new member of the family - & Clementine is sure she doesn't want that. After all, isn't four the perfect number for a family? Then there are the changes going on with her friends, especially Margaret, who came back from a visit to her dad in California full of a new obsession with makeup & unpleasant hints at wanting to go back there - permanently. Add in a missing rat that's part of a science project, & Clementine has a lot to worry about. Packed with humor & perfect illustrations, a reader might almost not notice how much is really going on in this one.
June 10, 2012
By far my favorite Clementine book yet. Everything about it felt just right. Plot gist: her parents (which I totally love, they're such real people) announce at the family meeting that they are going to have another baby (their third, Clementine has a little brother) and she has a hard time with it. But there's so much more to the book than that! My favorite part is when she's explaining to her dad why they can't have another one, how she is such a handful, and their table only fits the four of them just perfectly, etc., and at the same time her little brother is pulling out all the pots and pans and banging on them, and her dad explains that it's okay if they don't have everything under control. They are who they are, and they wanted to add to their family, and life's not about having everything perfect all the time. He spreads out his hands while he's sitting at the table, palms upwards, with the pot-banging in the background of their small apartment, and says, "Because this is how we roll, Clementine, this is how we roll." So perfect!
November 26, 2011
Clementine reminds me of a modern day Ramona Quimby. Remember Ramona? When Clementine sees a note on the refrigerator that her parents have called a family meeting she starts worrying that she's in trouble and she decides to try to figure out what she did while trying to be as good as she can be. What a surprise when she discovers the family meeting isn't because of what she did - but because they are going to have a New Baby! No Thanks! 4 is the perfect number - there are 2 boys and 2 girls and 4 sides to a table - how are they going to fit a New Member into their family?
The Clementine series is a top selling series for beginning readers (either being read to or fairly comfortable reading on their own). The font is large and easy to read, the story is engaging and all kids will understand how Clementine is feeling when she thinks she's in trouble and then gets a surprise. Perfect for Stocking Stuffers and birthday gifts - or for some summer reading!
The Clementine series is a top selling series for beginning readers (either being read to or fairly comfortable reading on their own). The font is large and easy to read, the story is engaging and all kids will understand how Clementine is feeling when she thinks she's in trouble and then gets a surprise. Perfect for Stocking Stuffers and birthday gifts - or for some summer reading!
November 19, 2012
Clementine is worried that the family meeting is being called because of something she did. She fears she did something wrong and has put herself in some sort of trouble and despite asking about it, her parents make her wait until the meeting to find out. However, she does find out that their family is growing and she is going to be a big sister to another sibling. Clementine struggles her way through dealing with this idea and learns that families grow all the time. She learns to embrace and¬¬ appreciate the new responsibilities that she will have as an even bigger sister. Given the valuable lesson taught in this book, a critique might suggest that this book offers too simple of a solution. Not all children are going to embrace this change and parents may have to struggle through multiple reasoning methods with their children before they accept the change. This book does not include a true parental struggle.
October 4, 2011
One of the things that I enjoy most about the Clementine books is the fact that Clementine seems so real, just like the kids I work with every day. She has her strengths (very observant, kind heart, willing to work) and her weaknesses (fidgety, impulsive). She has good days and bad days just like every child does. She has problems at school (missing science project rat) and at home (adjusting to a baby on the way). But Clementine's family and friends are interesting characters as well and are more than just secondary characters.
The writing is superb and very suitable for a third grader, I can here her voice in my head even when I am not reading the book. The illustrations by Caldecott Honor winning Marla Frazee provide the perfect compliment to the writing. Overall, a great addition to the series and I highly recommend the whole series.
The writing is superb and very suitable for a third grader, I can here her voice in my head even when I am not reading the book. The illustrations by Caldecott Honor winning Marla Frazee provide the perfect compliment to the writing. Overall, a great addition to the series and I highly recommend the whole series.
June 8, 2012
I am adding this book to represent the series, really. We have read three Clementine books, and i think they are brilliant.
Clementine is a flawed character. Like Ramona, she gets into unintentional trouble. Like Ramona, she has a strong voice and an undeniably appealing character. Clementine works hard to solve her troubles, to come up with techniques to get along in the world. She is also compassionate and amusing. Josh and i love that she calls her little brother random vegetable names - it is a really nice touch in the book, partially because she also demonstrates great fondness for him.
As an aside, Madeleine doesn't know if Clementine is a boy or a girl. I'm fairly sure she is a girl, although i haven't looked for proof. But i like this aspect, actually - here is a character who is strong and compelling, and who doesn't fit into a gender role quite so clearly.
Clementine is a flawed character. Like Ramona, she gets into unintentional trouble. Like Ramona, she has a strong voice and an undeniably appealing character. Clementine works hard to solve her troubles, to come up with techniques to get along in the world. She is also compassionate and amusing. Josh and i love that she calls her little brother random vegetable names - it is a really nice touch in the book, partially because she also demonstrates great fondness for him.
As an aside, Madeleine doesn't know if Clementine is a boy or a girl. I'm fairly sure she is a girl, although i haven't looked for proof. But i like this aspect, actually - here is a character who is strong and compelling, and who doesn't fit into a gender role quite so clearly.
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