Not in Room 204 by Riggs, Shannon. (Albert Whitman & Company,2007) [Hardcover]

by Shannon Riggs

Mrs. Salvador is one tough teacher. But Regina Lillian Hadwig, a very quiet student, doesn't mind. She likes the order and discipline Mrs. Salvador expects. At a report card conference, Mrs. Salvador tells Regina's mom that Regina is doing a great job, but that she is very quiet. "Are you quiet at home, like you are in school?" Mrs. Salvador asks Regina. And Regina thinks of the secret she keeps so quiet-the one even her mom doesn't know, about the secret things her father does. "Yes, I'm quiet at home, too," says Regina. "Maybe we can work on that," says Mrs. Salvador.When Mrs. Salvador reads a book about Stranger Danger, she emphasizes one thing-that the person doing the inappropriate touching might not be a stranger at all. It might be someone a child knows very well.Will Regina find the courage to tell Mrs. Salvador her terrible secret?Shannon Riggs covers this sensitive topic with compassion and expertise. She lives in Oregon. The expressive illustrations, by Jaime Zollars, who lives in California, complement the text. A note about sexual abuse is included.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Realistic Fiction, Education, Fiction, Health

Unknown Binding

First published March 31, 2007

Reviews

[Linda Lockwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

I use this book in my school counseling work every year. I teach personal safety to all grades and use this with 3rd, 4th and 5th graders in the classroom lessons. It has been very effective and has even brought some kids forward to disclose abuse.

[Kasey O'brien]

Every teacher or school counselor has to have that talk with their students at some point about sexual abuse. It can be difficult to approach this subject with younger kids, making sure that you're keeping it g-rated, but also completely clear to students. In this story, a classroom teacher has just such a talk with her students. She explains that no adults should be touching anywhere that is covered by a bathing suit, and that if a student is being touched that way they can always come to her or another trusted adult about it. One of the students in her classroom is being abused and comes to her after that talk, and the teacher is able to take care of her. This would be a great book to read to your students and discuss, closing by saying something like, "Just like the teacher in this book, I care about all of you and want you to feel safe and loved. You can always come to me if you feel unsafe and I will help you." Great conversation starter, especially for kids who are facing these problems at home and don't know what to do.

[babyhippoface · Rating 4 out of 5]

In other classrooms, students may be rude and messy, make wisecracks or call someone ‘stupid,” but not in Room 204. Mrs. Salvador knows just what to do if anything like that happens--and what to do if a student tells her that someone is touching his or her body in an inappropriate way. Her reassuring promise of help prompts quiet student Regina Lillian Hadwig to share the truth of what her father does to her. The sensitive subject is handled in a delicate yet confident manner and conveys the message to hurting children that help is available. Zollars’ mixed-media illustrations effectively use color to set the mood, and characters’ emotions are evident in their large heads and expressive faces with wide-set eyes. This is a positive selection on a delicate but all-too-common issue.

[Cynthia June Long · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brave book. Deftly handled. Topic: Sexual Abuse. Great pacing. Great pattern/repetition of scenarios. Pattern continued with "not in Room 204" will sexual abuse be tolerated. Directions for parents on Who To Call precedes the story. Non-explicit. Non-specific solution/resolution seems vague (to me, an adult) but I'm confusing the main conflict. The plot arc is more specifically "Tell Someone" (Tell a trusted adult) rather than This Is How/What Will Happen after the child speaks up. The text only says that teacher Mrs. Salvador knows "exactly what to do to help." The teacher is a comforting, understanding, safe figure and that may encourage a child-reader in these circumstances to speak up. An important book. All schools should have a copy.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

In simple words, the reader is introduced to a number of things that are NOT in room 204, Mrs. Salvador's room, like not doing homework, teasing others, etc. One of those things also is about keeping a secret, meaning that Mrs. Salvador will help if someone needs to tell of something that isn't right. It's a gentle reminder to children about 'stranger danger' but also says the words about those one knows can also do something that's inappropriate. The young girl finally does go to Mrs. Salvador for help. The realistic illustrations help with this somber story, one that will aid in bringing up this important topic.

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how in room 204 they have rules. I love how lovingly and firmly Mrs. Salvador enforces them. I love how she teaches children about what sexual abuse is and that it can be from a stranger, but most likely will come from someone we know. I love how she teaches children that she knows exactly what to do to help.

May we all know exactly what to do to help. May we all listen and respond if we are ever told about sexual abuse.

Great book. Highly recommended. I have to admit that I didn't expect much from the cover. But, as the saying goes, we should never judge a book by it's cover.

[Rebecca Pruitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is important. It's not quite age-appropriate for my littles yet, but I'm glad that I picked it up for future conversations. It's vague enough to not be scary for kids that haven't suffered through it and specific enough for victims to recognize themselves. Well done.

[Robert Ellington · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son and I were walking through the library today, and I just happened to see this book. I thought, "I'll check it out and see what it's about. I'm a teacher and I like books about teachers". Wow. This is a MUST read! Thank you, Shannon Riggs and Jaime Zollars!

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hard story to swallow but with a happy ending. This is a great book to incorporate with Stranger Danger talk with kids.

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 3 out of 5]

An important book about sexual abuse for kids to hear. Good as a small group read aloud.

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an important book that sensitively handles an extremely difficult topic. This would be a good book for a teacher with a classroom, with appropriate guidance.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

An important read that could encourage children to confide in adults. Also, beautifully illustrated.

[Josephine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book about trusting adults to talk about abuse.

[Kayla Osborne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was great! Mrs. Salvador is a teacher I hope to model one day. She sets her rules and expects her students to follow them. For example, she stated that other students may get away with name-calling in other places but not in room 204. She expects her students to be respectful. One day, Mrs. Salvador read a book about stranger danger, and how people should not touch body parts that the bathing suit covers. Regina Lillian Hadwig was a victim of abuse, so she was a very quiet student. Mrs. Salvador was a heroic female to Regina Lillian Hadwig because she made her feel comfortable enough to share her horrible experience at home. Mrs. Salvador knew exactly what to do to solve this issue; therefore, she was a hero to her student.

[Lisa Dominick · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not in Room 204 by Shannon Riggs is a contemporary realistic fiction picture book about child abuse intended for readers age 6 to 9 years old. Initially the book, Not in Room 204, starts off by discussing unacceptable actions and behaviors that will not be allowed by students of or in room 204. Along the lines of acceptable and unacceptable actions the book moves onto Stranger Danger and explains to children, “Don’t get in a car with someone you don’t know. A stranger should not touch you anywhere a bathing suit covers.” (Riggs). Then the teacher explains that sometimes it is not always a stranger that may engage in unacceptable touching and that if this happens to any children she knows that she would know just what to do to help.

I gave the book a 2-star rating because I felt the book handled the topic of child sexual abuse passively because it is a touchy topic. I do not believe that this book should be read by a 6 to 9-year-old alone. There was one illustration where the is a dark figure stood outside the door of the girl who was being abused. I felt that children may misinterpret who that figure is or that sometimes parents do stand outside the child’s bedroom door with no intention of hurting the child. Being that I was a victim of child sexual abuse, this topic is close to my heart. When I was a child, my mother did not understand the importance of talking with me about sex. Instead she gave me a book about sex and left me to my own devices to understand the meaning.

I feel that the author of Not in Room 204 could have done a better job at explaining how the character was being abused in a way that a young reader would understand. The teacher could have been depicted as understanding the queues that the child in the book was showing and how she could have handled the situation better. Throughout the book the child appeared sullen and sad because of the abuse she was suffering. The ending left it open as to what the teacher would do to help the child. After it is implied that the child told the teacher what was happening to her, again all the teacher says it I know just what to do. Then the child appears happy as she takes chairs down from the classroom desks as if the abuse never occurred. Nothing is indicated as to whether the child will return to the home where she is being abused or if authorities were involved.

This book can be a great tool for teachers to use to help students understand what is acceptable and unacceptable touching and that should someone touch them inappropriately they should tell another adult or the teacher. The book should only be read to children by someone qualified to offer guidance and assistance to children during and after the reading of the book.


Works Cited
Riggs, Shannon. Not in Room 204. Morton Grove: Albert Whitman & Copy, 2007. print.

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for 5420 class

Picture storybook with theme of child sexual abuse as the focus

Teaching children about sexual inappropriateness is a sticky but important concept, and elementary school teachers are the best ones to cross that bridge. Books like Not in Room 204 help smooth the waters.

[The Brothers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mrs. Salvador is the teacher in charge of room 204 and she does not put up with poor behavior. She consistently demonstrates fairness, firmness, and confidence. This is just what little Regina Lillian needs for creepy things (inappropriate touching) are happening at her house. When Mrs. Salvador talks to the children about stranger danger and the difference between good and bad touching she tells the class that if something like this is happening to them to let her know because "I know exactly what to do to help."

A good book for broaching the subject of sexual abuse with children because it makes the important point that sometimes those doing the bad things are not strangers, but people the children know - maybe even people in their own family. I also liked how I could reiterate the teacher's declaration that *I* know exactly what to do if this happens to either of my boys so they shouldn't be afraid to come to me for help if they need it.

Nice illustrations.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really REALLY liked this book. At the same time it gave me the jitters, especially having just read an excellent article on picture books and children's fiction on tough subjects and how much should we tell/teach the kids. (http://booknotes-unbound.org.nz/truth...). I am a firm believer that books like this should be out there as they have huge potential for good. At the same time, and in the wrong or even just slightly insensitive hands, there is damage that could be done. I also think that, just like Disney cartoons, children will read this book and take different things from it than what adults will. Actually - the more I think about it the more I am going to change my rating for 4 stars to 5. There are other books on this subject out there and none of them nail the tone for the children in the way that this one does. Five stars.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have had some requests for books that deal with inappropriate touching and "stranger danger" and this one is GREAT. It establishes the fact that teachers are good people to talk to if you need help, and also teaches kids that it might not just be strangers that they need to be protected from. Great illustrations, some humor, and generally a good story. Not as patronizing or preaching as some of the others on this topic that I've seen.

[Mi Y.mun · Rating 5 out of 5]

The genre is a children's picture book and realistic fiction. This book contains the issue of childhood sexual abuse. The author describes the role of teachers and how children must be protected from any harm. Also, she describes the importance of setting a safe classroom environment and rules. The general theme of the book is trust that is clearly needed between teachers and students. This book is a good source to teach sexism.

[Amanda Osborne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This made me tear up a little. Regina is being abused by her father, but doesn't know what to do or who to tell or who can help until a new teacher begins at her school. Mrs. Salvador is kind-hearted and reaches out to Regina when she notices the quiet, withdrawn little girl and helps her find the courage to tell the truth. A great book to introduce the horribe fact of child sexual abuse, but a gentle way to talk about it with your kids.

[Mari · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well crafted book that deals with a sensitive and difficult topic. I've been looking at lots of useful and important books on all kinds of topics recently. Many I'm glad to have in our library because there is a need for stories that deal with those topics. But honestly, most are not very good books. This one IS a good book, and I'm so thankful to have a title in my toolbox that I actually feel good about handing to patrons.

[JustOneMoreBook.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classroom shenanigans, expressive illustrations and the delicate weaving of carefully chosen details make this important story a haunting yet hopeful nudge toward breaking the silence of sexual abuse.

Listen to our chat about this book on our JustOneMoreBook.com Children's Book Podcast:
http://www.justonemorebook.com/2007/1...

[bookworm22 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book introducing incestious sexual abuse (in this case a little girl and her father) and encouraging reporting and sharing with someone trusted, in this case with a very trustworthy teacher...

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listen to author Shannon Riggs talk about this book at the Just One More Book podcast: http://www.justonemorebook.com/2008/0...

[Readersaurus · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible picture book that shows kids how to get help without scaring them.

[Eva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helpful after a Good Touch/Bad Touch presentation. Sexual abuse happens with someone you know not just strangers and kids need to know this. I'm so glad there's a book like this one.

[Lea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book to discuss the difficult subject of bad touch by people you know. Must have for elementary libraries.

[Karla Strand · Rating 4 out of 5]

about a student who is being sexually abused and the teacher who helps her

[Azriana Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book to teach about stranger danger. This is a very difficult topic to teach students. Teaches students to report when things do not feel right.