Big Whopper

Zigzag Kids #2

by Patricia Reilly Giff, Alasdair Bright (Illustrator)

The author of the beloved Kids of the Polk Street School series introduces a new generation of readers to a multicultural group of kids who enjoy all the activities of an after-school center.It’s Discovery Week at the Zigzag Afternoon Center! Everyone writes their discoveries on a big sheet of paper in the hallway. But Destiny Washington can’t think of anything new to discover. Before she knows it, Destiny has told a BIG whopper. And snooty Gina, who’s great at discovering things, knows all about it. Destiny has to find a way out of the whopper. In the end, she makes the best discovery of all. In this delightful new series, award-winning author Patricia Reilly Giff introduces readers to a quirky, lovable group of kids, capturing all the excitement and surprises of new friends and after-school fun.

Genres: Childrens

82 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Patricia Reilly Giff was an American author and educator whose warm, emotionally resonant books made her a beloved figure in children's literature. After spending roughly two decades as a teacher, she turned to writing and brought a deep understanding of young readers to stories that balanced humor, resilience, and emotional truth. Educated at Marymount Manhattan College, St. John's University, and Hofstra University, she drew on both her classroom experience and literary instincts to create memorable fiction for children and middle-grade readers. She became especially well known for the popular Polk Street School series, which captured the everyday dramas of school life with charm and empathy. Beyond those books, she wrote acclaimed novels such as Lily's Crossing, Nory Ryan's Song, Pictures of Hollis Woods, Eleven, and Genevieve's War, often exploring themes of belonging, family, hardship, and courage. Her work earned wide recognition, including Newbery Honors, an ALA Best Book for Young Adults designation, and a Christopher Award. Giff also influenced younger writers through her workshops and teaching spirit. Throughout her career, she remained a compassionate literary voice whose stories spoke directly to children's fears, hopes, and imaginations.

Reviews

[Nielson · Rating 2 out of 5]

In this new series, join the Zigzag kids in their after-school adventures. Destiny Washington is in a bind when everyone but her discovers something new during discovery week. What will she discover? How will she get out of telling her big whopper?
This is a good beginner book with its short story, easy text, and simple sentences. However, I feel like there are better easy read series...this wouldn't be my first pick for the library.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a little girl trying to discover how to discover. I like the format of this series. Each book is told from the viewpoint of a different kid in the same after school group. And each book covers about a week in the life of the child. I also love the illustrations.

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think it is the end of our reading for lessons to be learned etc. for this summer. OK, book but that is all. It feels like we have read this story before. The same old stereotype of girls competing and mean girl themes.

[Dennis Patterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK, good for G3-4

[Julia Jasztal · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mommy's review from 9/19/11 -


Although this was a quick, decent book neither Julia nor I were very impressed. For one, in my experience, kids this age just don't want to read about school for the most part. Maybe once kids get old enough to get into YA but not kindergarten and elementary school age kids.
We found this at the library and the author is fairly well known so I thought we'd give it a shot. Right now and for the past year, give or take, we've been reading picture books during the day and chapter books before bed. This routine works out well for us.
On a side note - I tried to read Patricia Reilly Giff's Pictures of Hollis Woods and while I think I did keep it to try again in the future I was totally bored while reading it and set it down not very far in. These two books are my only experiences with the author but I've made up my mind to try no more.
Big Whopper is simple, quick and easy to read out loud/follow along. Julia liked some of the characters and the one she didn't like it was interesting to see and hear her thoughts and feelings progress as the story went on.
Another review I happened upon here for this said this was okay but not something they'd recommend or read again and I definitely agree. There are far better books in this category to waste time on a mediocre one.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Big Whopper is the second book in Patricia Reilly Giff's Zigzag Kids series. The books are loosely connected, I believe, by the fact that all the main characters attend the same school, Zelda A. Zigzag elementary school. But the books do not share main characters. The book is narrated by Destiny Washington.

The theme this week for the after-school program at the school is discovery. Students are being encouraged to share what they've discovered with others on an art-project in the hall. Destiny Washington, the heroine, is discouraged and frustrated. She doesn't think she'll have even one discovery to share with others. In general, she's having a hard time of it. A few poor choices have her really down. Can she find a way to turn things around? A secondary story focuses on a cat...

While I enjoyed this one slightly more than the first book in the series, I still can't say that I am enjoying the series overall.

[Mundie Moms & Mundie Kids · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this is a the start to a delightful series that both kids and those reading these books to them will enjoy. Patricia Reilly Giff introduces a group of lovable characters, with whom young kids will easily relate to. I think she has done a fabulous job at capturing the emotions kids go through from worries and excitements of meeting new friends, going to a new school, being with a group of kids they may not know, attending after school care and discovering the world around them.

The Zigzag Kids will be real and relatable to young readers and as they learn some important lessons with Mitchell and Destiny. Mitchell learns that he doesn't have to do something special to be a winner, as everyone is a winner. Destiny learns the importance of telling the truth. I would definitely recommend this series to young readers, parents and teachers.

[Karen Arendt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good for character education read aloud to 1st and 2nd grade. Destiny tells a big lie and worries that others will find out about it. This is the second book in the ZigZag Kids series. I don't know how much this will appeal to children to read on their own, but it would work well in the classroom.

[Deborah Maxwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember loving Patricia Reilly Giff's Polk Street School books, so I thought I'd read this to my son. It was ok. In an attempt to stand up for herself against a bully, Destiny tells a big whopper about her family. The bully is impressed, but Destiny feels horrible. In the end, the truth comes out, and the bully is inspired by Destiny's honesty to confess her own whopper.

[B · Rating 2 out of 5]

Second in the Zigzag Kids series. I've liked Patricia Giff before in the Polk Street Kids but this one was dull.

[Hanna Collins · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is the dumbest book I've ever read. Very scatterbrained and a very stupid plot.

[Flower · Rating 3 out of 5]

it is about a girl who tells a very big lie and finally spits it out.

[Seianna]

started but didn't like it. "Not for me" shelf.