First Grade Stinks!

by Mary Ann Rodman, Beth Spiegel (Illustrator)

A relatable, funny back-to-school tale for rising first graders and young children facing new experiences. ★ “Rodman handles the turmoil of school transitions with realism and humor. A good jumping-off book for discussions about differences and change.” ― Publishers Weekly , STARRED REVIEW It’s the first day of school, and Hayley is excited. Things are different now. She’s a first grader! Hayley quickly finds out that first grade is different from kindergarten, but in all the wrong ways. The classroom isn’t as bright and colorful. Ms. Gray doesn’t seem to smile as much as her kindergarten teacher did, and there isn’t enough time to play outside. Finally, Hayley has had enough. “First grade stinks!” she shouts. And fortunately, her compassionate teacher completely understands. Young readers will immediately empathize with Hayley as she struggles―amid unmet expectations, new experiences, and disappointment―to find enthusiasm for the new school year. Best Children’s Books of the Year ―Bank Street College of Education
Battle of the Books (Grades K-2) ―Alaska Association of School Librarians
Kansas State Reading Circle Recommended Reading List (Primary) ―Kansas National Education Association

Genres: Picture Books, School, Childrens, Fiction, Humor, Back To School

32 pages, Hardcover

First published June 29, 2006

About the author

Mary Ann Rodman, a former school media specialist and university librarian, is the author of First Grade Stinks!, Yankee Girl, and My Best Friend. She has received both the Ezra Jack Keats Award for Outstanding New Picture Book Writer and the Charlotte Zolotow Award. Rodman holds a Masters of Library and Information Science from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and an MFA in Writing for Children from Vermont College.

Reviews

[Shamika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Text-to-Teaching
This book is about a young girl that looks forward to joining the first grade until the day actually arrives. She entered the classroom with the perspective that the first grade would greatly resemble kindergarten, which was the complete opposite. Little did she know, the first grade was more structured and contained more content to learn. Therefore, it was quite difficult for Haley (the little girl) to adjust to the new school year. In hindsight, Haley eventually started to come around once her new teacher explained how the first grade "works". I think it is important as teachers to get to know their students as well as the students getting to know their instructor. Also, I believe that it would be very beneficial for teachers to inform their students about what the year will consist of as far as learning. Therefore, the first couple of days would not be so overwhelming for the students. One activity I would do for text-to-teaching would be for the students to introduce themselves to everyone, along with drawing a picture explaining what they would like to LEARN and what they would like to do for FUN in class. Lastly, I would put those thoughts in a bowl and pick one every week and do an activity based on what the kids put in the bowl. I believe that would be a great way to make the students feel important as individuals and apart of the class.

[Sandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Let me tell you something, little girl, first grade, second grade, etc. they all stink. The best thing I learned in school was how to read. Everything else was a stinker. I didn't like Haley. She didn't like what was happening so she hated it and said she wanted to throw her crayons at someone, and wanted another student to dry up and blow away, and not to mention she wanted to pinch the kid. Eh, not a good book. But the lesson here was things aren't always how you want them to be. But maybe you will find something you do like.

[Patricia Kemp Blackmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haley and her friend Ryan were so excited as they stepped off the school bus.  Haley thought Kindergarten was so much fun and knew First Grade was going to be even better because she is a big kid now.  But when her new teacher welcomed her into the classroom there was nothing on the walls and there was a lot of desk in the room one for each student.  The teacher said they needed to get to work.  Haley did not know you had to work in the First Grade.  It was not fun writing the letters A and B. Then the teacher starting reading them a story but stopped without finishing the story. They didn't even get to take an early recess. This resulted in Haley standing up and screaming, "First grade stinks!" this got the teacher's attention real quick.

What do you think the teacher will say to Haley?  The story is far from over, so be sure to grab a copy of this book and find out what happens next. 

The author has written a very realistic story that most children will relate to as they start a new grade level.  The story has humor with an element of surprise.  Kids will like the illustrations which depicts the story so well that little ones will be able to interpret the story just by turning the pages. But it is even better when the book is read before before each page is turned.

I highly recommend this book.

I rated this book 5 out of 5.

Disclosure:  I received a free copy of this book from Peachtree Publishers for review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

GIVEAWAY ON 9/17/2013 AT:
http://itsabouttimemamaw.blogspot.com...

[Ralf Urbach · Rating 3 out of 5]

A silly and fun way to introduce children to accept change. I actually used this book to help my daughter transition into 2nd grade. The illustrations really lent alot to the storyline and helped captivate the main characters of the story. I felt a bit of a rollercoaster ride with this book. Feeling sorry for Haley at the beginning and working her way through the 1st day, but it ends on a happy note. Dont they all?

[Kwanzaa Coloring Book Games & Puzzles · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter’s teacher gave her this book to read. So, we read it as part of her daily reading assignment. The books begin like many kids' school years. In other words, mothers holding their hands, not ready to let go. Moreover, the main character realizes that first grade means work. I know what the book portrays may be true in many schools, but I think she overdid it. Clearly, there is some fun in first grade.

[Roy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Arguably the worst children’s book I’ve read to my daughter. Encouraged violence against other kids when the main character says she wants to “pinch” another child. The protagonist says another child stinks because they have nice writing. My 4 year old daughter says the main character has “a bad attitude.” I could not agree more. Shame on the author and the publisher for exposing children to this negativity.

[Kaylee Randall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great for children that are transitioning into first grade. It can also be used for transitioning into other grades as well! It is a fun book that teaches children to accept change and transition into school. This book has a lot of information that children can relate too. Great message and great book!

[Jnase1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read for the first day of first grade

[Brittnee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story about changing grade levels.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story!

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great fun, with the empathetic realism of LILLY'S PURPLE PLASTIC PURSE (Henkes)

[Emily Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

First Grade Stinks is about a little girl, Haley, who is very excited to start the first grade. She realizes that she is more mature than the kindergartners now because she enters school all by herself without the holding her mother's hand. While passing her old classroom, she sees all of the colorful pictures on the wall and her old teacher, Ms. Lacy wearing a yellow shirt and yellow shoes. When she finds her new room, she is surprised to see that her teacher is wearing an ugly brown shirt and ugly brown shoes. She says that her name is Ms. Gray and smiles but it is not as big as Ms. Lacy's smile. When she enters the classroom, there is nothing colorful or pretty hanging from the ceiling and the walls are bare. Her new room is no fun. After Ms. Gray takes attendance, she says that it is writing time. One of Haley's friends, Sasha, tells Ms. Gray that in kindergarten they had share time first. Ms. Gray shakes her head though and tells the class that they are too busy for share time and she asks Ryan to hand out the writing paper. Haley is upset because Ms. Lacy always let her hand out the writing paper. She comes to the conclusion that firs grade stinks because there is no share time and no smiley teacher. During the writing lesson, Haley is ready for recess. She sees the kindergartners walk pass her door to recess but that is when Ms. Gray says that it is time for the art lesson. She tells Ms. Gray that it is time for recess but Ms. Gray says that first graders only have one recess. For her picture, Haley draws an orange sky but Ms. Gray does not really like it even though Ms. Lacy did like her orange skies. At recess, she tells Ryan that first grade stinks but he likes it. At lunch, there is only vanilla ice cream left because the kindergartners ate all of the chocolate so even lunch stinks. After lunch, it is story time but Erika raises her hand and asks about naptime. In kindergarten, after lunch they always took a nap. Luckily, Ms. Gray said that there is no naptime in the first grade which is great because Haley does not like naptime anyway so first grade is not that bad. While reading the story, Ms. Gray stops reading at the best part and Haley is confused. She says that it is time for math. In kindergarten, Ms. Lacy would read the class many picture books in one day. Haley whispers to Ryan that she wants to go back to kindergarten but Ms. Gray tells her to stop whispering. Haley is so mad that she screams "FIRST GRADE STINKS!" Ms. Gray asks Haley what is wrong and Haley tells her that she does not like the first grade because Ms. Gray did not finish the book. Ms. Gray explains to her that every day she will read one chapter of the book everyday. In first grade, the students read chapter books and will learn how to read the books by themselves. Haley is very happy about that and she thinks that the first grade will be wonderful. This book is for children who are in the primary level because it is all about why some kids do not like first grade and that tough transition from kindergarten to first grade. This book looks like the illustrator, Beth Spiegel, used water color for the pages. There is no definite line to the pictures so the colors all blend in together. This is a great technique because it looks as if a first grader illustrated the book. There is also a lot of different colors on each page. I would recommend this book for parents who have a child about to enter first grade. In the beginning of the book, the author, Mary Ann Rodman, talks about the differences between kindergarten and first grade. Throughout the book though, she writes about the perks of being a first grader and all the fun things that first graders get to do. It is a great transition book between the two grades.

[Danielle Mootz · Rating 5 out of 5]

We thought this book was hilarious. With a first grader at home and one headed to kindergarten we couldn't have related better.

[Ashley Ruman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mary Ann Rodman's book First Grade Stinks is about a girl who is angry that her new class, first grade, is nothing like kindergarten. I liked this book and thought it would be a good book for students to read at the beginning of the school year. The book would be especially good for students entering the first grade to read because they would be able to relate to it, whether or not they like the different classroom because it is still a change for any student. I thought some of the pictures were nice because they showed the distinction between kindergarten and first grade. For example, the second page of the book shows a doorway filled with excited students and decorations. This picture depicts the way Haley, the main character sees kindergarten at the begin of the book. At the beginning of first grade she thinks kindergarten was the best, and the bright images outside the doorway reflect that. On the other hand, page four shows the doorway to the first grade classroom, which is a bland, non-decorative entryway with just a few students. These few pictures truly depicted the difference between kindergarten and first grade and why Haley did not like first grade as much. I thought the rest of the pictures were decent. The pictures were not extravagant, but they got the point across. Haley's realization that first grade is different, but different is not always a bad thing at the end of the book is a good lesson for students entering a new grade who may be worried that the classroom may be too different than the previous one.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

First Grade Stinks! by Mary Ann Rodman, illustrated by Beth Spiegel follows an excited Hayley on her first day in first grade as she realizes how different it is from kindergarten, which she loved. Her new teacher doesn't seem to smile very much. The work is hard, there are fewer recesses, there's no chocolate ice cream for lunch, and the story isn't finished when the teacher stops reading. Haley has enough and shouts: "First grade stinks!" She discovers, after talking to her teacher, that first grade is better than kindergarten in several ways.

The text has lots of short, realistic dialog. When Hayley yells, each letter is in color, and a large font.

The colorful watercolor illustrations effectively match and extend the text, clearly showing the differences between kindergarten and first grade, as well as the size differences between students.

This would be effective to use early the the school year to help focus students on the diffences and advantages of entering a new grade and learning more skills.

For grades K to 2nd, first day of school, transitions, humor, life-lessons, and fans of Mary Ann Rodman and Beth Spiegel.

[zapkode · Rating 5 out of 5]

{My Thoughts} - This book is about a little girl named Haley that is going through the transition from Kindergarten to First Grade. She has a difficult time adjusting and is constantly comparing her Kindergarten teacher to her First Grade teacher. She has a hard time with understanding how so many things can change in just one summer.

I can understand how it can be difficult for a young child to go through the early year transitions in school. School it a very different environment then what children are use to at home. They spend all year going through one grade and then the next year it changes and they aren’t ready to accept or deal with that change. Some understand that it needs to change and some just go with the flow where others want to hang back and decide if they like the change or not. Haley is the kind of child that hung back until she decided she was okay with the change.

This is a wonderful book that I think any child going from Kindergarten to First Grade would benefit from being read to or with. It helps children to see that the transition is normal and for some children that might be all they need to survive such a stepping stone in their educational careers.

[Robert J · Rating 3 out of 5]

First Grade Stinks is a fictional story that deals with the problems that some children have with the transition from Kindergarten to First Grade. Haley feels grown up moving to First Grade but does not like many of the differences. She liked her old teacher and having two recesses and all the pretty pictures on the walls. Most of all she liked the stories in Kindergarten better because " the stories don't end right." Ms. Gray explains to her that the story isn't over that it's "just the end of the chapter." In Kindergarten Haley was used to picture books which would be read from beginning to end all at once. Ms. Gray explains that they will now be reading chapter books which could take a week to finish and "soon you'll be able to read them yourself." This gives Haley a sense of pride and makes her happy again. Maybe First Grade isn't so bad after all.This would be a good read for the Kindergartener getting ready to move on.

[Juso · Rating 4 out of 5]

"First Grade Stinks" is a story about a little girl named Haley who has just finished Kindergarten and is entering first grade. Haley believe that first grade stinks because she wont be able to do as many fun things as she did in kindergarten such as: take naps, have fancy classroom decorations, eat chocolate ice cream, or even have story time. During the first day, Haley becomes so frustrated with being in first grade that she confesses to her teacher that she cant take it anymore! However, after some support and reading some chapter books, Haley feels like first grade is not as bad as she once thought it was, now kindergarten stinks!
As a teacher, I would use this book to teach students about how they may have similar feelings when they are beginning a new experience, but with commitment and effort, can eventually become an experience that can be enjoyed.

[Jasmine Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

"FIRST GRADE STINKS"is one of my favorite books. I love the message the books brings across at the end if the story. The beautiful water colored pictures bring such life and character to the book. I actually read this book to my first grade and they loved it because everything in the story was true. Children leaving kindergarten going into first grade think that it is going to be the same, but then they realize there isn't anymore nap time, outside recess, and coloring. It is hard transitioning from kindergarten to first grade because in kindergarten there is more play involved. First Grade is the beginning of a child growing up.

[Jennifer RDG 3320 · Rating 5 out of 5]

First Grade stinks is a great book to read at the end of Kindergarten, or at the beginning of first grade. The students in kindergarten are very scared about going to first grade because they loved kindergarten bur this book ends with a little girls loving first grade because you get to read chapter books in the first grade. She realizes that there are things you get to do in First Grade that you didnt get to do in kindergarten. This book can also be used on the first day of first grade to explain some of the things that you will learn in first grade, and excite the kids about a new year.

[Amber Basinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This picture book was close to my heart because I am in a first grade classroom right now in practicum. Hayley, the main character, hates first grade because it is more difficult and very different than kindergarten. In the beginning of practicum, my students would ask why they couldn't do certain things or act a certain way because that is what they did last year. First grade is a big transition. Hayley and my practicum class both had to find that out. I think this book would be very beneficial to read in the beginning of the year in a first grade classroom.

[Bekkah Riecke · Rating 2 out of 5]

The big message of this book (that first grade and kindergarten are different, but different doesn't mean bad) was a great idea and a good concept to discuss with new first graders. However, the execution of the idea within the book was very poorly done in my opinion. I don't feel that putting down other grades is necessary in order to build confidence in a new grade, but that is exactly how it read to me.

For those who like the book though, I could see it being a good beginning of the year tool to introduce the differences and similarities between the grade levels.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Haley is super excited to start first grade! After all, it'll be just like kindergarten, only she and her friends are big kids now. Then she walks into a classroom full of desks and without all of the colorful decorations of her kindergarten classroom. When she finds out that they have too much work for share time or a second recess, it makes Haley even more certain that first grade stinks! Great book for easing new first graders through the transition between grades and showing them that different isn't always a bad thing.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

We are almost half-way through the school year, so I probably should've read this months ago, but it's an interesting story about transitioning from one grade to another. Our girls have had some issues with this, but it was a fairly smooth transition this Fall. The story was fun, though, and our girls could empathize with the girl in the book. It's a great book to read aloud with children about to enter First Grade, probably in early August...

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would love to use this in my classroom if I was teaching 1st grade as a read aloud because it can serve as an ice breaker for the children who just cannot make that smooth transition from kindergarten to 1st grade. In the book it discusses all the ways how 1st grade can be different from kindergarten but at the end the little girl came to realize that first grade is not that bad because you don't have to take naps.

[Shira Burns · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is too cute! In this text Haley decides that she doesn't like 1st grade because she is unable to do all the things she did in Kindergarten. However, once she finds out she doesn't have to take a nap in 1st grade her perception changes. This is a must read-aloud if you teach 1st grade on the first day of school. This book could be used in the classroom to discuss prediction, perform a picture walk, or discuss story elements.

[Katey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this book, however, it does go thru this childs emotions so she does shout out "FIRST GRADE STINKS!" Your students will have to be mature enough to handle this emotion. Some students might not enjoy the negative feelings and the use of "stinks". I believe that students can go thru this situation when they move into 1st grade. For this reason I think this is a fun book to help show them the exciting parts of 1st grade.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A kindergartener is excited for 1st grade, until she meets her not-so-vibrant teacher, sees the not-so-decorated classroom, and is faced with the 'real work' of 'real school.' By the end she learns to see the good aspects of graduating to life in grade 1.

My kids loved this book! I read it toward the end of the year with them, and they keep commenting, "She's wrong! 1st grade doesn't stink! She'll see!" Which, of course, she did :)

[Kwilliamson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read for the first week of school. Haley and Ryan are excited about first grade but as the first day goes on, Haley thinks first grade stinks. They have to write more, they only have one recess, and the teacher doesn't read picture books! The teacher explains to Haley that in first grade they have to work harder. By the end of the day, she thinks first grade is great because they don't take naps and they read chapter books.

[Karina Espinales · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book because it talks about the difference between kindergarten and first grade. It is a good book to present on the first day of class because the students will know some differeces and will feel more comfortable about the new grade. However, it makes it seem that first grade is not fun. The kids will enjoy it because it has great illustrations and what child doesn't think that school stinks sometimes?