Substitute Trouble

Nikki & Deja #6

by Karen English, Laura Freeman (Illustrations)

Deja is dismayed to learn that her teacher has had an accident and a substitute will be taking her place. Under the new sub's care, nothing is the same in Room Ten. A few of the class troublemakers plot to take advantage of the clueless teacher, and soon other students join in. Should Nikki and Deja go along with the rest of the kids in tormenting him? Should they help him out by tattling on their classmates? Or is there another way to handle the situation?

    Here is another charming entry in a chapter book series about African American girls praised for its accessibility, authenticity, and humor.

Genres: Realistic Fiction, Childrens, Cultural, Fiction

108 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Karen English is a Coretta Scott King Honor Award-winner and the author of the Nikki and Deja and The Carver Chronicles series. Her novels have been praised for their accessible writing, authentic characters, and satisfying storylines. She is a former elementary school teacher and lives in Los Angeles, California.

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's hard to imagine any third graders who wouldn't enjoy this story since it focuses on having substitutes instead of a regular teacher. When the third grade's teacher, Ms. Shelby-Ortiz has an accident and can't teach, the students get to experience two substitutes whose teaching and classroom management styles couldn't be more different. Mr. Willow isn't assertive enough, and best friends Nikki and Deja watch in shock as their classmates misbehave, even going so far as to pin a "Kick Me!" note on his back. When he leaves, the class gets another sub. While Mr. Willow was too meek and mild to maintain discipline, Mr. Blaggart, on the other hand, rules with an iron fist and quickly whips the class back into shape. But still, he's nothing like Ms. Shelby-Ortiz. The sixth title in this realistic series, the characters and their life experiences at home and in school are refreshingly honest, partly because they are so believable and partly because Deja and Nikki are portrayed as imperfect, if mostly well behaved. The digital illustrations help readers imagine the girls and their classmates easily.

[Nancy Kotkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sixth installment of a chapter book series featuring African American characters. Even with the diversity movement in children's books, chapter books (always a second cousin) have been primarily left out. The dearth of chapter books for PoC, coupled with the fact that this is authentically rendered realistic fiction, make this chapter book series an important contribution to the canon of children's literature.

The writing is solid. Both the neighborhood and the school feel genuine. Written by a retired elementary school teacher, it is no surprise that the teacher is the strongest character in the series. The main shortcoming of this series is the lack of empathy the two BFFs have for one another. Nikki and Deja have a tendency to talk AT one another, rather than TO each other. I realize they are young children with not-yet-developed social skills, but this still feels wrong for two kids who are so close.

In this sixth book of the Nikki & Deja series, some of the kids in Ms. Shelby-Ortiz's class take advantage of a substitute teacher. Nikki and Deja intervene in an attempt to help, which actually complicates the situation further. Then the entire class learns that there are consequences to mistreating other people. This is my favorite book in this series due to the important lesson it imparts, though I'm not sure young readers will enjoy this book as much as I did.

[Alexis Vasquez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book it was funny. I like funny book and this book was funny so I liked it.

[Julia Richards · Rating 4 out of 5]

Substitute Trouble by Karen English is about a classroom of students whose teacher broke her ankle. A substitute came in to take over for a few weeks. When the students became unruly and disrespected the substitute to no end, the principle replaced him with a previous army drill sergeant. Nikki and Deja, the main students then devise a plan on how they are to service during their teacher’s absence. What struck me about this book was the authenticity of the characters. Nikki and Deja had a strong voice throughout the text creating a setting where it seems like the reader is having a conversation with the girls. The book also included mixed races and people of different backgrounds which is appealing to all audiences. Since the book itself was on substitute teachers, I could use this book to teach children how to not teach substitutes in the classroom. I could also use this book to show the class that teachers are people too and have personal lives and feelings outside of the school setting.


English, K., & Freeman, L. (2013). Nikki & Deja: substitute trouble. New York, NY: Clarion

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are several Nikki and Deja books in this series but each one can stand alone. These books are intended for beginning readers, ages 6-9.

Even though the two main characters are girls, my nine year old son enjoyed this book.

This book illustrates why it's important to behave for a substitute teacher and follow the rules at school in general in a fun way. Nikki and Deja are good girls who follow the rules without being tattletales or goody-goodies. I appreciated how the girls figured out how things would be different if the first sub was more sure of himself.

I really like how this series features children of color without race being the central issue to the story. They add a nice bit of diversity to our home library.

[Clare Rossetter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pleasant tale of two little girls who try to help a substitute teacher. This is a chapter book that reminds the reader of Miss Nelson is missing. The class has a teacher they like who is out with an injury. The first substitute is very mild mannered and the class makes his life miserable. The principal sends in a very tough substitute who makes life difficult for the kids in the class who try to give him a hard time. Like the Miss Nelson story the kids learn their lesson and are happy to have their teacher back.
There are a number of black and white illustrations that support the text. The illustrator does some full page and numerous partial page ones. They are simple with minimal detail.
The text is simple and will interest young girl early readers.

[Eboni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story, age-appropriate and accessible.

[Denetra Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story about how children try to get over on subtitute teachers. Very funny. We couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen next.

[Carterkempgmail.Com · Rating 3 out of 5]

N & D suffer through two imperfect substitute teachers. The fact that there's no real resolution to the tension except that their regular teacher returns greatly weakens this entry in the series.

[Daijah Rolle]

I think book is awesomeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee