Good Grief...Third Grade

Marsha & Roger #1

by Colleen O'Shaughnessy McKenna, Richard Williams (Illustrator)

Good grief. . .it's Marsha and Roger!

Marsha Cessano, Collette Murphy's neighbor, promised her parents that third grade will be her best school year ever--no messy desk, no temper, no tricks. But that yucky Roger Friday will do anything to get Marsha in trouble! Now third grade couldn't have been crazier--because Marsha and Roger have to work on a class project together!

A spin-off of the popular Murphy series!

Genres: Fiction, Childrens, Young Adult, Chapter Books, Realistic Fiction

152 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

A former elementary school teacher, Colleen O'Shaughnessy McKenna lives in Pittsburgh with her family. She is best known for her Murphy series, based on her own family.

Reviews

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I distinctly remember my mother giving me this book the summer before 3rd grade and I still have it at home. I've actually reread it once or twice. It's a book about two kids named Marsha and Roger who have to learn to get along. The author definitely gives off a message of not judging someone until you get to know them, which is an important message for this book's projected audience.

[Leann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book! Read with my 4th grader. It was written well and easy to follow and really visualize the story and feel what the author was hoping you to feel. Great ending!! If we only were able to see everyone through a different perspective than just at school or church, etc. I think we would treat people differently, better.

[Disney_World · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marsha told her parents third grade would be the best year ever! No going to the principles office anymore. Just a perfect year. But Marsha has a big problem Roger Friday is here to make everything horrible. When its time for buddies she is partners with Roger! What will she do work things out of get in trouble?

[Cheryl]

I just couldn't get into it for some reason, not feeling sympathetic to the main character at all. And then the promotion for that racist movie, "Gone with the Wind," made me just stop.

January 2022

[Charlie Meyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was easy to follow and I think that it message was very clear. And it might help with third grade jitters. And proves not to lie and be truthful. But I do wish that the author put more about the class mates. A good quick read and a relaxing book.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Themes - controlling temper, making the next right choice, honesty

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

We loved this book, and it taught some great lessons

[Bear · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute story about third grade!

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book on bullying between two third graders and how things change in the right direction.
An enjoyable read aloud chapter book that all the third graders enjoyed...

[Rekha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute but very dated when reading to a kid in 2025, even just in terms of words and phrases used.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Our oldest is starting to read longer chapter books, so I've been looking for books that have a third-grade theme (the same grade she's in.) This book has a good message about learning about someone before you judge them, about not blaming someone for stealing (or putting a dead snake in your locker) unless you are sure that person did it, and about the importance of telling the truth. Overall, it's a fairly dramatic and entertaining story, especially for the target audience. Our oldest read this book first and then we discussed the plot and the message of the story after I finished it. There are only a few of these books at our local library, but I will be sure to read what we can find.

[Katt Hansen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I honestly would give this one 3.5 stars if I could.

Another school story where a girl has a boy as her nemesis and spends all her time trying to figure a way to make him leave her alone forever. Only the lie she tells backfires, and while it gives her what she wants, it gives her a lot of grief as well.

Interesting book. Good resolution. Not sure that I would agree with the way the plot unfolded. But I liked the strong characterization.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

The relationship between Marsha and Roger very rocky because at the beginning Marsha was making plans to get Roger out of the third grade. Another reason why Marsha and Roger's relationship is very rocky is because Marsha blamed Roger for ripping her half of their book report when actually she was the one who ripped it. I think it was GREAT!!!!!!!!!

[Nora · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this is a great chapter book for students to read. It is funny and full of surprises. It would be great for teaching about predictions and making friends.

[Monica Albright · Rating 4 out of 5]

another great third grade read aloud

[Erin O. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in second grade and for some reason it has stuck with me all these years. I figure it must be for a good reason.

[Nicole Sandford · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story line telling the truth is always better. Grade 3/4.

[Krishna · Rating 5 out of 5]

this a AWSOME book! you HAVE to reah it!

[Madeline]

This is a funny story about friendship. It is a good lesson on friendship.

[Sammantha Bellofatto · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was decent, and great for a third grader of course! It shows two kids putting their differences aside to work together and I really enjoyed that about the book.

[Deborah Harris]

AR Quiz No. 16952 EN Fiction
Accelerated Reader Quiz Information IL: LG - BL: 3.6 - AR Pts: 3.0
Accelerated Reader Quiz Type Information AR Quiz Types: RP, VP

[Megan Adler · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not the best, but the kids sure like it.

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading Level 3.6

I really enjoyed reading this. I so wanted the little girl to confess she lied that I was all tensed up. Could hardly read fast enough to find out.

[Elise · Rating 3 out of 5]

not really a point but i liked it

[Sathin · Rating 1 out of 5]

it was bad

[Wasif · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marsha promised her parents that third grade will be her best class ever. but that yucky roger always put Marsha in trouble. To make it more worse, the teacher make Marsha and Roger work together in a project. And Marsha think that Roger think very different form her. Marsha might lose her score because of Roger Friday.

Fun Story!!

[Mellanie C]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/11917090