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Woe is I Jr.: The Younger Grammarphobe's Guide to Better English in PlainEnglish
A hilarious exploration of grammar especially for young readers. Now in paperback!Shrek? Earwax-flavored jelly beans? Poems about meatballs? Who on earth would use all these to explain the rules of grammar? Must be Patricia T. O'Conner!Just like Woe Is I , her national bestseller for adults, this young readers edition uses conversational language and witty, entertaining examples to show how fun and easy it can be to use good English. It's a humorous reference book you'll actually enjoy pulling off the shelf. Like a humorous Strunk and White for 4th through 8th graders, this is destined to become a must-have for every English classroom and student.
176 pages, Hardcover
Published May 10, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
April 18, 2011
This is a fantastic read-aloud, especially to kids who have "grammar-phobia." It makes grammar funny and understandable, and makes the rules easier to remember. I have been reading snippets about plurals during breakfast and we all end up laughing because the examples are so hilarious.
Here's a sampling: "Plural means more than one. Without plural words, we'd have to talk about one thing at a time. You couldn't eat a bag of peanuts, you'd have to eat peanut after peanut after peanut. But language is very handy...
"When you've got ants in your pants,
Or cheeses from France,
Or grouches on couches,
Or scratches and ouches,
Or pigs wearing pearls,
Why, then you've got plurals!"
This book even has funny comics! There's a section called "Action Figures" all about verbs; and a chapter titled "Tales from the Crypt: Cliches that won't Die" which includes a discussion about similes and metaphors.
Fun book. Don't miss it--especially if you are teaching grammar to any kid, or even if you know (or are) an adult grammar-phobe.
Here's a sampling: "Plural means more than one. Without plural words, we'd have to talk about one thing at a time. You couldn't eat a bag of peanuts, you'd have to eat peanut after peanut after peanut. But language is very handy...
"When you've got ants in your pants,
Or cheeses from France,
Or grouches on couches,
Or scratches and ouches,
Or pigs wearing pearls,
Why, then you've got plurals!"
This book even has funny comics! There's a section called "Action Figures" all about verbs; and a chapter titled "Tales from the Crypt: Cliches that won't Die" which includes a discussion about similes and metaphors.
Fun book. Don't miss it--especially if you are teaching grammar to any kid, or even if you know (or are) an adult grammar-phobe.
August 26, 2015
I can not think of one single kid who would read this cover to cover though I found it tremendously fun and punny. Granted I'm a writing teacher and library nerd. I did however find many new ways to teach grammatical concepts to my middle schoolers.
January 25, 2016
Looking for some "fun" support for making flipped videos for my class, but most of this is really too low for our freshman or doesn't apply to the standards covered in the common core for this grade level. On to the grow-up version.
February 20, 2026
Great for a kid willing to read about some rules of grammar. Age best suited, 10+
Author does a good job of making the material relatable to a child with character references from books and movies. Fun poems and cartoons to help illustrate points or bring humor to the concept.
Author does a good job of making the material relatable to a child with character references from books and movies. Fun poems and cartoons to help illustrate points or bring humor to the concept.
March 24, 2017
Patrica T. O'Conner's "Woe is I Jr." is a great book with a hilarious, witty approach to teaching grammar. It provides lots of instruction on how to make sense of grammar and all of its characteristics, including explanations of punctuation, usage of words, and everything you could ask for. It's very entertaining to read, yet also very informative, and it has some of the funniest and wittiest writing I've read in a book in a long time. It's an excellent book for children and tweens who want to understand more about how to use words and punctuation, and it's taught in a fun, carefree way that really makes it entertaining to learn, and clears up any confusion.
I would definitely recommend this book to parents, children, tweens, and teachers. Although I am not a child myself, I still had tons of fun reading this book for its silly writing and its witty humor, and I'm sure many others could appreciate this book, the way the book was written, and what it teaches. ^.^
I would definitely recommend this book to parents, children, tweens, and teachers. Although I am not a child myself, I still had tons of fun reading this book for its silly writing and its witty humor, and I'm sure many others could appreciate this book, the way the book was written, and what it teaches. ^.^
December 28, 2017
O'Conner, Patricia T. Woe is I Jr.: The Younger Grammarphobe's Guide to Better English, 145 p. G.P. Putnam's (Penguin), 2008.
Woe is I Jr. is a simple, lovely and very funny look at the crazy rules of the English language. A well-written index makes the text easy to use. I shared this with one of our English teachers and she wants her own copy so that she can use it to enhance her own teaching of the material. She would really love to have overheads or a CD version of the book to make it useful for all of her students. Show this one to your English teachers immediately. You may end up buying a couple of classroom sets!
MS - ESSENTIAL
http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2008/...
Woe is I Jr. is a simple, lovely and very funny look at the crazy rules of the English language. A well-written index makes the text easy to use. I shared this with one of our English teachers and she wants her own copy so that she can use it to enhance her own teaching of the material. She would really love to have overheads or a CD version of the book to make it useful for all of her students. Show this one to your English teachers immediately. You may end up buying a couple of classroom sets!
MS - ESSENTIAL
http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2008/...
October 20, 2007
A light, almost cursory look at grammar, covering plurals, pronouns, contractions, and other commonly-misused parts of speech. The writing is lively, with examples using doggerel and recognizable characters (Harry Potter, the Baudelaires, and the Simpsons all make appearances). I’ve read stronger guides (for real, I have) covering topics in more depth, but for kids just coming out of elementary school, this isn’t bad. Not great, as it is very rushed, but it isn't bad.
January 7, 2009
I started reading the original WOe is I (and it is still on my nightstand) , but since I needed to help my son with some grammar I read this one with him. It is really a fun way to review grammar and be reminded of the many mistakes many people make. or, in the case of my son, it is good as a crash course too, I think. Quite a feat to present grammar (and some spelling and punctuation too) in a humorous way!
March 19, 2011
So far not that impressed with this book. I thought it was going to be more about rules and how to recognize them (similar to Eats, Shoots and Leaves, I guess). I'm not too far into it, though, so I'll see how it goes.
Took it back without finishing. Ran out of time and didn't get a good enough vibe from it to keep me reading. Seemed more interested in not sounding pretentious. Hopefully it covered why being grammatically correct makes communication meaningful.
Took it back without finishing. Ran out of time and didn't get a good enough vibe from it to keep me reading. Seemed more interested in not sounding pretentious. Hopefully it covered why being grammatically correct makes communication meaningful.
August 29, 2007
As a grammar review I found this book to be on target. It was enough information without being overwhelming and the author tried to make the examples fun, memorable and interesting by referring to well-known book/movie/tv characters. I can't imagine kids reading this without prompting, but I think it would be entertaining enough to hold the interest of those who must.
November 26, 2008
There was an editing error in this book which I found really disturbing. After all, it's a grammar book.
On page 99, they wrote that usually a goes before a vowel or soft sound, and an goes before a consenant or hard sound. Hmmm....
On page 99, they wrote that usually a goes before a vowel or soft sound, and an goes before a consenant or hard sound. Hmmm....
March 24, 2013
A great how-to guide for young writers, teachers of grammar and anyone wanting to speak correctly. The tips and tricks of proper grammar usage are relevant to kid's situations.. but also helpful to me as an adult. When to use was and were? Etc... I am going to buy the adult version as well!
January 10, 2015
This book is great for anyone, young or old, who needs a refresher in grammar or who hasn't learned some of the fundamentals, without all the pain. It's very useful and easy to grasp. Highly recommend it.
June 22, 2016
This is an informative and humorous grammar book for older children.
interesting quote:
"Contrary to popular opinion, grammar isn't gruesome. Neither is it ghastly or gross or grim. Actually, grammar isn't growly in the least." (p. xv)
interesting quote:
"Contrary to popular opinion, grammar isn't gruesome. Neither is it ghastly or gross or grim. Actually, grammar isn't growly in the least." (p. xv)
January 3, 2015
Cute examples will help younger readers/students understand the intricacies of English grammar. Recommend even though I disagree about comma usage.
August 13, 2008
A good mix of grammar rules and pop-culture references (some of which made me snicker quite a bit).
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September 4, 2010The text really is written in plain English, making the finer points of grammar very accessible. contains witty examples and entertaining illustrations . . . making grammar FUN!
Read
October 30, 2011This is a great book of basic rules. The early part of the book drags, but the rules are accurate and the poems make it interesting to follow.
January 3, 2013
This is an excellent book for anyone, regardless of literacy level, to get a better grasp on English grammar and why our words fit together the way they do.
February 1, 2013
What a clever grammar book! It wasn't for the age group I am working with, but I took away some clever ways to explain certain rules.
March 18, 2013
Harder book to read because it's not told in the form of a story. More of a guide.
June 28, 2013
a lot of information in a small book and it simplize things I learned in school that I didn't fully understand. wroth it to read, when it comes to knowing english.
February 11, 2014
A guide to speak proper english in a funny way and this book explains clearly.
April 13, 2014
Read enough. Good for a 10 yr old.
I'll have to scan the adult one
I'll have to scan the adult one
November 10, 2014
Entertaining, but I can't imagine many middle school kids picking it up.
September 25, 2018
Not appropriate for adults, lol
The book is an excellent teaching of proper grammar. It is funny (for a kids) and well written.
The book is an excellent teaching of proper grammar. It is funny (for a kids) and well written.
July 14, 2019
This book is definitely for children, but includes some great reminders. Also some sweet Zack and Cody references.
June 12, 2024
A little outdated, but a fun overview of grammar. Consider it the "gummy vitamins" of grammar and style for preteens.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews