First Year Letters

Mrs. Hartwell's Classroom Adventures

by Julie Danneberg

In this sequel to FIRST DAY JITTERS, Sarah Jane Hartwell receives letters from her students, the principal, and even the janitor, in this epistolary tale about all that can happen over the course of one school year. As every first-year teacher knows, a classroom full of second graders can be alarmingly unpredictable.

The letters the children write to Mrs. Hartwell are sympathetic ("I figured you might be a little scared, just like me"); informative ("…most kids don't eat cauliflower"); encouraging ("Yesterday was THE BEST!"); and apologetic ("I'm sorry about throwing up all over your shoes"). Even a local firefighter writes to Sarah Jane.

Fun, funny, and heart-warming, Danneberg’s newest installment in the Mrs. Hartwell Classroom series is sure to delight both teachers and children as they follow Mrs. Hartwell and her class through the year. Classes will be inspired to write letters to their own teachers about their favorite, or wildest, days of the year.

Genres: Picture Books, School, Childrens, Teaching, Teachers, Juvenile

Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

The sequel to First Day Jitters.
Told through letters that students write throughout the year.
Humorous and fun.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun addition to the Jitters series

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

I looked forward to reading this book in the "Jitters" series, a story about Mrs. Hartwell, the elementary school teacher, and her irrepressible group of students. Here's an example of one of the letters they sent her during this school year.

THE CONTEXT TO THIS LETTER FROM ZACK

Mrs. Hartwell was wearing a big brown outfit, making her look like a groundhog.

Dear Mrs. Hartwell,

Yesterday was THE BEST! You looked good
except that your legs were too skinny and you
needed more stuffing around the middle. I saw
the other kids watching us when we went outside
to look for your shadow. I bet they were jealous.

Sincerely,

Zack

Goodreaders, by the time you've read the letters in this book, and you've feasted your eyes on the lively illustrations by artist Judy Love, you've learned a lot about kids. And maybe you've learned a considerable amount about compassion, as well.

FIVE STARS for another brilliant book by Julie Danneberg.

[Jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve always loved to start the school year with the book First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg as a way to discuss how everyone is excited and anxious on the first day of school. This sequel, shows how Mrs. Hartwell’s year is going through a series of letters that the students write to her. Mrs. Hartwell sets up a classroom mailbox so her students can practice letter writing. This hilarious picture book is a great mentor text to help young writers see examples of letters and it may also inspire kids to try to tell their own stories through letters.

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is for elementary students and first time teachers.

Students write letters to their teacher, Ms. Sarah Jane Hartwell, about a variety of comical school events.

Good book for discussing letter writing with students.

It's funny, but I think older kids would enjoy it more than younger children and preschoolers.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this to the third graders I was teaching and they enjoyed it. The photos are interesting and they loved finding Daisy! Cute & would recommend, tied great into their lesson about writing letters.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
During a school year, Mrs. Sarah Jane Hartwell establishes a "post office" and has her students write her letters. Throughout the year and through the letters, it is evident that both students and teacher are growing and learning.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A school year is chronicled in letters to and from the teacher, Mrs. Hartwell. Sequel to First Day Jitters and comes before Last Day Blues.

[Kat Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations make the book exceptional.

[Eileen Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Julie Danneberg has written a book that all first year teachers should be given on their first day of teaching school. This book shows that teaching is a work of heart, filled with ups and downs, good days, bad days and very terrible days. But throughout the year all those days make up for a year of learning that students will remember always. The love that teachers have for their students is a love that will never leave even when they leave the classroom and grow up.
The illustrations of the book are hilarious. You just have to stop and look at the pictures to see the expressions on the characters faces, the hilarious, frightening and caring events that are taking place.

Again, I must say this is a great read for teachers, as they will understand it completely. But children will also enjoy this book as they too are will have experienced some of the events which have taken place in the story.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute book written exclusively in friendly letters--handwritten, typed and even on sticky notes. It tells the story of the joys and challenges of being a first year teacher. The students are adorable and it is evident that they love their creative teacher.

I would use this book to demonstrate friendly letters and writing letters back and forth. The classroom post office is a fantastic idea as well!

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Age range: 5-9
Number of pages: 32

This is one of my favorite books to use when teaching writing. This book is full of examples from students writing to their teacher--ranging from persuasion to friendly letters. Some of the letters are handwritten while others are typed. I would definitely use this to show the authenticity of letter writing.

[April Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cute book in which the students write letters throughout the school year. I think this would be a great idea to do with students. You could put all of the letters in a box at the end of the year. This is also a good book to read when students are first learning to write letters.

[♥ Nate the Great ♥ ™ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again i know it is a picture book but my aunt wrote it!

[Laralee]

Reading this as part of my In2Books epal - it's what my epal has chosen to read for her fiction section.

[Karen Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent for first year teachers

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful read aloud for first week of school. I have students then write me a letter telling me what their hopes and fears are for the coming year. (Middle grades)

[Elena Boteva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a lovely and cute book. I can't wait for my niece and nephew to be old enough to read it.

[Rosanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author has definitely been a teacher, and I really enjoy her books. She always has a surprise ending, and I really enjoy it.

[Cheyenne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story would be great for second or third grade. The students write the teacher from First Day Jitters letters throughout the school year. It is comical.

[Sian Li · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really connected with this book as a person wanting to go into teaching. Really enjoyed seeing the development of the teacher and her students relationship. Cute and through a letter form writing.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book shows letters from the students and even other faculty in the school that the teacher received after creating a classroom post office. Both teachers and children will be able to identify with Mrs. Hartwell as she navigates her first year. This would also be a great book to use to inspire students to write letters about their own experiences.