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Clementine #2
The Talented Clementine
Winner or washout?
When it comes to tackling third grade, Clementine is at the top of her game—okay, so maybe not all the time. After her teacher announces that the third and fourth graders will be putting on a talent show, Clementine panics. She doesn't sing or dance or play an instrument. She can't even hop with finesse. And as if she didn't feel bad enough, her perfect best friend, Margaret, has so many talents, she has to alphabetize them to keep them straight.
As the night of the big "Talent-palooza" draws closer, Clementine is desperate for an act, any act. But the unexpected talent she demonstrates at the show surprises everyone—most of all herself.
This next Clementine book is sure to bring the house down!
When it comes to tackling third grade, Clementine is at the top of her game—okay, so maybe not all the time. After her teacher announces that the third and fourth graders will be putting on a talent show, Clementine panics. She doesn't sing or dance or play an instrument. She can't even hop with finesse. And as if she didn't feel bad enough, her perfect best friend, Margaret, has so many talents, she has to alphabetize them to keep them straight.
As the night of the big "Talent-palooza" draws closer, Clementine is desperate for an act, any act. But the unexpected talent she demonstrates at the show surprises everyone—most of all herself.
This next Clementine book is sure to bring the house down!
144 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2007
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1698 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 503 reviews
March 1, 2008
I think this one might be even more hilarious than the first one. The school is having a talent show, but there's just one problem-- Clementine doesn't have a talent.
I like this one partly because a lot of the adults that were flat characters in the first book (because, let's face it, in a kid's eye, most adults are flat characters) round out a bit more, especially the principal.
I really just want to cut and paste a bunch of quotations, or possibly the entire book, but you just read it yourself. I will leave you with this:
"But he ignored me, which is called Getting on with the Day when a teacher does it, and Being Inconsiderate when a kid does it."
see all my reviews at www.tushuguan.blogspot.com
I like this one partly because a lot of the adults that were flat characters in the first book (because, let's face it, in a kid's eye, most adults are flat characters) round out a bit more, especially the principal.
I really just want to cut and paste a bunch of quotations, or possibly the entire book, but you just read it yourself. I will leave you with this:
"But he ignored me, which is called Getting on with the Day when a teacher does it, and Being Inconsiderate when a kid does it."
see all my reviews at www.tushuguan.blogspot.com
February 15, 2018
This second Clementine book is just delightful. Pennypacker once again takes us inside the mind of a very active 3rd grader. The book begins with a wonderful and telling statement from Clementine: "I have noticed that teachers get exciting confused with boring a lot." And then there's the visit she makes to Principal Rice's office to ask if she could bring in a substitute on talent show day. After all, teachers do it all the time. Ha! Love the way this girl thinks. Another great read aloud for 8-10 year olds.
August 22, 2009
Despite being nothing at all like the Ramona Quimby books, they still remind me a LOT of them.
In this edition, Clementine is left scrambling for an act for the talent show. She has, she says, NO talents. Not even hopping. No, really, at 8 years old she still can't hop, poor child. And no doubt it doesn't help that her "perfect" upstairs neighbor and friend has more talents than she can count.
After rejecting tap-dancing (apparently, beer caps do NOT make acceptable taps when superglued to sneakers), moving to Egypt, and hiring a substitute, Clementine hits upon the perfect talent - leash her brother and perform Elvis! (It makes sense... sorta.) Unfortunately, her father nixes this idea and she ends up at rehearsal with nothing to do.
Fortunately, her ability to notice everything but what she's supposed to pay attention to keeps her occupied instead of moping - and she ends up applauded as the last-minute stage manager, a believable and in-character happy ending.
There were two false notes for me, both related to the tap shoes. First, when Clementine goes to buy new sneakers to replace the ones she ruined, her parents stage a big fight over who gets to take her (her father eventually bribes her mother with new shoes for herself AND a trip out to dinner at the Ritz) because she's a pain to shop with and insists on trying every pair of shoe so she can "not-choose" them before she chooses the ones she picked at the beginning. Reading about Clementine promising to "be normal" and not act like that... well, it breaks my heart, it does, and it seems out of character for her parents who typically seem pretty understanding of their daughter (not that they're overindulgent, just that they try to understand her). Secondly, at the end of the talent show they invite her to go to dinner at the Ritz with them, saying "we wouldn't even be going out if it weren't for you". To me, this reads as though they're rewarding her for ruining her shoes because they're only going out as the bribe for buying her new ones! It would have been better to say they're taking her to dinner to celebrate her starring backstage role in the talent show, I think.
Still, the rest of the book is wonderful. And, as I said in the first book, I love how the author writes the sibling relationship. You *know* your sister loves you when she writes "NO NUTS FOR ME!" on your head before she feels safe leaving you in care of the babysitter.
In this edition, Clementine is left scrambling for an act for the talent show. She has, she says, NO talents. Not even hopping. No, really, at 8 years old she still can't hop, poor child. And no doubt it doesn't help that her "perfect" upstairs neighbor and friend has more talents than she can count.
After rejecting tap-dancing (apparently, beer caps do NOT make acceptable taps when superglued to sneakers), moving to Egypt, and hiring a substitute, Clementine hits upon the perfect talent - leash her brother and perform Elvis! (It makes sense... sorta.) Unfortunately, her father nixes this idea and she ends up at rehearsal with nothing to do.
Fortunately, her ability to notice everything but what she's supposed to pay attention to keeps her occupied instead of moping - and she ends up applauded as the last-minute stage manager, a believable and in-character happy ending.
There were two false notes for me, both related to the tap shoes. First, when Clementine goes to buy new sneakers to replace the ones she ruined, her parents stage a big fight over who gets to take her (her father eventually bribes her mother with new shoes for herself AND a trip out to dinner at the Ritz) because she's a pain to shop with and insists on trying every pair of shoe so she can "not-choose" them before she chooses the ones she picked at the beginning. Reading about Clementine promising to "be normal" and not act like that... well, it breaks my heart, it does, and it seems out of character for her parents who typically seem pretty understanding of their daughter (not that they're overindulgent, just that they try to understand her). Secondly, at the end of the talent show they invite her to go to dinner at the Ritz with them, saying "we wouldn't even be going out if it weren't for you". To me, this reads as though they're rewarding her for ruining her shoes because they're only going out as the bribe for buying her new ones! It would have been better to say they're taking her to dinner to celebrate her starring backstage role in the talent show, I think.
Still, the rest of the book is wonderful. And, as I said in the first book, I love how the author writes the sibling relationship. You *know* your sister loves you when she writes "NO NUTS FOR ME!" on your head before she feels safe leaving you in care of the babysitter.
June 1, 2023
2.5
it was fun the time I read it but it wasn't amazing yk? would probably not enjoy if i reread it
it was fun the time I read it but it wasn't amazing yk? would probably not enjoy if i reread it
August 16, 2023
Maybe some talents are just not that obvious… very sweet book! I just loved how Clementine created her very own tab-dancing shoes 🤭
September 23, 2016
I really Like It. I like the Clementine series and I thought Clementine was funny. The pictures were great and the details were nice. The ending was good!
June 4, 2016
This mildly disappointing chapter book, pitched as required summer reading for 3rd to 4th graders, does have its moments. Clementine is certainly sassy and has the ability to misconstrue sayings and ideas that turn into comical learning moments. Unfortunately, she sounds a lot like Ramona Quimby, her predecessor from forty years earlier. In this one, Clementine gears up for a talent show. Hey author, the 21st century called. Get with the times and make this book more feasible for kids living in today's world!
June 7, 2018
Read aloud at some point this year. I endorse the whole series.
August 23, 2020
This series is great for young readers in grades 2-4. They are very interesting with lots of humor and Clementine is such a great relatable character.
February 14, 2018
I read this today while I waited for my phone to charge to at least thirty percent and man what a great read.
January 8, 2008
Writer Sarah Pennypacker and illustrator Marla Frazee join forces once again to continue exploring the adventures of Clementine, a very unique third grader with a very big problem in “The Talented Clementine” (the second book in the Clementine series).
In order to raise money for the school, Clementine’s class is going to have a talent show where every student is expected to take part. That’s all well and good if you have a talent, but Clementine doesn’t seem to have any. Every other kid (literally) in the class is doing cartwheels. Her best friend, lovably-snooty Margaret the fourth grader, is going to explain how to dress fashionably. Everyone seems to have a great act. Except for Clementine.
In her search for a talent, Clementine discovers a lot of things she can do like math in her head better than her own father or Margaret’s brother (who is not, Clementine is quick to point out, her boyfriend). But you can’t do math in a talent show. Margaret tries to pass one of her numerous, and alphabetized, talents to Clementine. But after an ill-advised encounter with beer bottle caps, glue, and a pair of sneakers that seems like maybe not the best idea.
Just as Clementine is at the end of the rope, sure she has nothing to offer to the show–her school’s principal realizes something Clementine had missed bringing everyone’s new favorite third grader out on top.
I really loved the first installment in this series (”Clementine”) and was thrilled to find that “The Talented Clementine” is just as good. Pennypacker keeps all of the good things from the first book while expanding the characters here. This book spends more time at Clementine’s school and with Clementine’s very cool, very likable mom and dad.
I also like that the book has some real drama as Clementine struggles to find a talent without getting too sad. By the end of the story everything is okay and, more importantly perhaps, Clementine and readers realize that everyone does have a talent (even if it’s not always something you can perform on stage).
Frazee’s illustrations continue to add to the prose making Clementine and her world even more vibrant than the text already does. The continuity is also admirable. It is clear from the illustrations of Margaret that her hair is growing out. Which, believe it or not, brings me to the next point: While the stories do work together, this book can stand alone. It would, of course, be better to read the series in order but not vital.
I dare say “The Talented Clementine” is as good as its predecessor “Clementine” and am anxiously awaiting the third installment in the series (”Clementine’s Letter” is scheduled to release this April). I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: Clementine is a vivid, independent character who has the capacity to make reading fun for readers of all ages.
In order to raise money for the school, Clementine’s class is going to have a talent show where every student is expected to take part. That’s all well and good if you have a talent, but Clementine doesn’t seem to have any. Every other kid (literally) in the class is doing cartwheels. Her best friend, lovably-snooty Margaret the fourth grader, is going to explain how to dress fashionably. Everyone seems to have a great act. Except for Clementine.
In her search for a talent, Clementine discovers a lot of things she can do like math in her head better than her own father or Margaret’s brother (who is not, Clementine is quick to point out, her boyfriend). But you can’t do math in a talent show. Margaret tries to pass one of her numerous, and alphabetized, talents to Clementine. But after an ill-advised encounter with beer bottle caps, glue, and a pair of sneakers that seems like maybe not the best idea.
Just as Clementine is at the end of the rope, sure she has nothing to offer to the show–her school’s principal realizes something Clementine had missed bringing everyone’s new favorite third grader out on top.
I really loved the first installment in this series (”Clementine”) and was thrilled to find that “The Talented Clementine” is just as good. Pennypacker keeps all of the good things from the first book while expanding the characters here. This book spends more time at Clementine’s school and with Clementine’s very cool, very likable mom and dad.
I also like that the book has some real drama as Clementine struggles to find a talent without getting too sad. By the end of the story everything is okay and, more importantly perhaps, Clementine and readers realize that everyone does have a talent (even if it’s not always something you can perform on stage).
Frazee’s illustrations continue to add to the prose making Clementine and her world even more vibrant than the text already does. The continuity is also admirable. It is clear from the illustrations of Margaret that her hair is growing out. Which, believe it or not, brings me to the next point: While the stories do work together, this book can stand alone. It would, of course, be better to read the series in order but not vital.
I dare say “The Talented Clementine” is as good as its predecessor “Clementine” and am anxiously awaiting the third installment in the series (”Clementine’s Letter” is scheduled to release this April). I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: Clementine is a vivid, independent character who has the capacity to make reading fun for readers of all ages.
April 3, 2012
Just started The Talented Clementine which was loaned to me by my 6 year old granddaughter. She said, "Grandma, you HAVE to read this book." Can't wait to read the book that has her so excited.
Finished it this morning and I loved it. It's the first Clementine book I've read and I can see why my granddaughter loved it. I found it to be laugh out loud funny and certainly encourages kids to look at and love those things about themselves that are unique. Can't wait to read the other two.
Finished it this morning and I loved it. It's the first Clementine book I've read and I can see why my granddaughter loved it. I found it to be laugh out loud funny and certainly encourages kids to look at and love those things about themselves that are unique. Can't wait to read the other two.
July 22, 2010
This was a really cute little book about an 8-year-old girl who doesn't think she has any talents because most of her skills are not performance-based. Will she ever figure out what to do?
I love how supportive her parents are, even though Clementine gets into a LOT of mischief. It's not as though she's TRYING to make trouble... she just doesn't think things all the way through... ever.
This would be a really cute little book for young girls.
I love how supportive her parents are, even though Clementine gets into a LOT of mischief. It's not as though she's TRYING to make trouble... she just doesn't think things all the way through... ever.
This would be a really cute little book for young girls.
October 2, 2018
Another cute book read aloud with my darling girl. Clementine is just the perfect mixture of innocence and mischief!
June 4, 2025
My youngest sister listened to this story before me, and fell in love with it—and then when she heard me listening to it, she gave me a full rundown of how her favorite parts of the story went! We ended up listening to the rest of it together. Such a fun story! I especially loved how Clementine’s parents and teachers all worked together to help her find a job she could excel in and feel needed—that was super special! Another fun, lighthearted, humorous read.
November 16, 2019
This was a sweet young readers story about a young girl named Clementine who doesn't have any talents for the upcoming Talent Show at her school. I liked how the author showed that various things ARE talents, and that they aren't always what is touted as such. I highly recommend for young readers. A very entertaining chapter book.
August 13, 2017
Jokin Klementiinassa ilahduttaa minua todella paljon. Näitä kyllä voisin suositella.
July 20, 2022
Makes me laugh and cry! The audio book is SO good.
August 5, 2022
Another really sweet and funny book. I liked how Clementine found something she was talented at even if that looked different than what other people consider to be talent.
December 16, 2024
Read alone to students. They loved it. Cute, but the first one is my fav so far!
June 4, 2025
Hehehe very cute. But what parents would intentionally deceive their daughter?
February 14, 2026
I enjoyed this even more than the first one.
4 stars
4 stars
April 7, 2018
that was so so so sweet! God I adore Clementine and her parents. I wish these were longer!
September 14, 2018
BEST BOOK EVER
I read the first book and fell in love now the second one is soo good to happy with both of the 10/10 book
I read the first book and fell in love now the second one is soo good to happy with both of the 10/10 book
July 17, 2021
I love this girl sooo much.
July 12, 2021
In my review of the first book in this series I said that some of Clementine's ideas are doozies. Well, this one has some that go way beyond that, and then some. Clementine means well, and her ideas always sound good, but she doesn't always, (hardly ever!), think things through. This one had me laughing so hard, but also thinking what wonderfully tolerant and loving parents she has. She is a very lucky kid.
Clementine wants to come up with something for the school talent show, but doesn't think she's talented at anything. Maybe she could tap dance like her friend Margaret, but she would need tap shoes for that. Hey, what about gluing bottle caps onto the bottom of her tennis shoes? They would make a great clickety clickety sound and she knows just where to get a bunch of bottle caps. The condo association has beer in the refrigerator for their meetings. Won't they be happy when they have their next meeting and they don't have to take the bottle caps off their beer because it will already be done for them? They will definitely thank her! Oh boy :(
Clementine wants to come up with something for the school talent show, but doesn't think she's talented at anything. Maybe she could tap dance like her friend Margaret, but she would need tap shoes for that. Hey, what about gluing bottle caps onto the bottom of her tennis shoes? They would make a great clickety clickety sound and she knows just where to get a bunch of bottle caps. The condo association has beer in the refrigerator for their meetings. Won't they be happy when they have their next meeting and they don't have to take the bottle caps off their beer because it will already be done for them? They will definitely thank her! Oh boy :(
May 28, 2011
This is the second book in the Clementine series by Sara Pennypacker. We've enjoyed the first two books and the main character is very similiar in to Ramona Quimby or Junie B. Jones, or perhaps even Judy Moody. She is funny and quirky and calls her brother by different vegetable names (since she is named for a fruit.) We will certainly look for the next story at our local library.
March 6, 2015
Clementine is a book about the adventures and spontaneous situations that an eight-year-old girl have with her friends and family. In this book Clementine gets in trouble when she is found cutting one of her best friends hair in the school bathroom. Clementine gets reprimanded for the misunderstanding and as an act of solidarity she decides to cut her hair as well. As the story progresses she gets in more trouble but her innocence and good intentions flourish at the end.
This chapter book is an easy read for young reader, some pages are illustrated with black and white pictures that help young readers to compliment the text. The book has some creative lines, subtle jokes that could be entertaining for children. I was not really impressed but it was not horrible.
This chapter book is an easy read for young reader, some pages are illustrated with black and white pictures that help young readers to compliment the text. The book has some creative lines, subtle jokes that could be entertaining for children. I was not really impressed but it was not horrible.
February 22, 2017
Sara Pennypackerin "Lahjakas Klementiina" (Twinsy, 2015) on amerikkalainen lastenromaani vähän alle kymmenvuotiaasta tytöstä, joka joutuu vastentahtoisesti ottamaan osaa luokan kykykilpailuun. Vaan mikäs neuvoksi, kun Klementiina ei osaa nimetä yhtään sellaista asiaa, jossa hän olisi lahjakas. Pieniä kommelluksia seuraa, ja lopulta käy ilmi, että kyllähän tyttärellä on sitten lahjoja vaikka mihin.
Lukihan tämän nyt ihan kivutta ja kun vielä Marla Frazeen kuvitus toimii mukavasti, niin annetaan kolme tähteä. Veikkaan vahvasti, että kohderyhmä voisi hyvinkin Klementiinasta tykätä.
Lukihan tämän nyt ihan kivutta ja kun vielä Marla Frazeen kuvitus toimii mukavasti, niin annetaan kolme tähteä. Veikkaan vahvasti, että kohderyhmä voisi hyvinkin Klementiinasta tykätä.
April 5, 2021
Read to Isabel: I just adore these books. Clementine is funny without being cloying and I love the way the adults talk to her—with respect and amusement. I feel like this series doesn’t get its due; it’s SO much better than that painful Junie B Jones that’s in “kid speak” (i.e. bad grammar and just obnoxious). Clementine is curious without being a brat.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 503 reviews