Gooney Bird on the Map

Gooney Bird Greene #5

by Lois Lowry, Middy Thomas (Illustrator)

A girl leads her classmates on a geographic adventure in this “witty and perceptive” novel by the New York Times-bestselling author of The Willoughbys.   Gooney Bird Greene returns for more adventures in this chapter-book series from Newbery Medal winner Lois Lowry, with Middy Thomas’s black-and-white illustrations bringing the classroom to life throughout.   Mrs. Pidgeon’s second grade class has a lot to celebrate in presidents’ birthdays, Valentine’s Day, and school vacation. Of course, the students are talking about their awesome vacation plans every chance they get. It can be hard to focus on subtraction problems when you’re heading to Hawaii or Florida in seventeen minus seven days! But most of the class (twelve minus three of them, in fact) will be staying home during vacation. Can Gooney Bird Greene keep spirits up while everyone is feeling down? Gooney Bird has a great idea that sends her and her classmates on a snowy spin through U.S. history and geography…   “Gooney Bird doesn’t need much help putting herself on the map. She’ll be famous for years to come.”—Kirkus Reviews

Genres: Fiction, Childrens, Juvenile, Chapter Books, School, Middle Grade, Maps

139 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Taken from Lowry's website:
"I’ve always felt that I was fortunate to have been born the middle child of three. My older sister, Helen, was very much like our mother: gentle, family-oriented, eager to please. Little brother Jon was the only boy and had interests that he shared with Dad; together they were always working on electric trains and erector sets; and later, when Jon was older, they always seemed to have their heads under the raised hood of a car. That left me in-between, and exactly where I wanted most to be: on my own. I was a solitary child who lived in the world of books and my own vivid imagination.

Because my father was a career military officer - an Army dentist - I lived all over the world. I was born in Hawaii, moved from there to New York, spent the years of World War II in my mother’s hometown: Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and from there went to Tokyo when I was eleven. High school was back in New York City, but by the time I went to college (Brown University in Rhode Island), my family was living in Washington, D.C.

I married young. I had just turned nineteen - just finished my sophomore year in college - when I married a Naval officer and continued the odyssey that military life requires. California. Connecticut (a daughter born there). Florida (a son). South Carolina. Finally Cambridge, Massachusetts, when my husband left the service and entered Harvard Law School (another daughter; another son) and then to Maine - by now with four children under the age of five in tow. My children grew up in Maine. So did I. I returned to college at the University of Southern Maine, got my degree, went to graduate school, and finally began to write professionally, the thing I had dreamed of doing since those childhood years when I had endlessly scribbled stories and poems in notebooks.

After my marriage ended in 1977, when I was forty, I settled into the life I have lived ever since. Today I am back in Cambridge, Massachusetts, living and writing in a house dominated by a very shaggy Tibetan Terrier named Bandit. For a change of scenery Martin and I spend time in Maine, where we have an old (it was built in 1768!) farmhouse on top of a hill. In Maine I garden, feed birds, entertain friends, and read...

My books have varied in content and style. Yet it seems that all of them deal, essentially, with the same general theme: the importance of human connections. A Summer to Die, my first book, was a highly fictionalized retelling of the early death of my sister, and of the effect of such a loss on a family. Number the Stars, set in a different culture and era, tells the same story: that of the role that we humans play in the lives of our fellow beings.

The Giver - and Gathering Blue, and the newest in the trilogy: Messenger - take place against the background of very different cultures and times. Though all three are broader in scope than my earlier books, they nonetheless speak to the same concern: the vital need of people to be aware of their interdependence, not only with each other, but with the world and its environment.

My older son was a fighter pilot in the United States Air Force. His death in the cockpit of a warplane tore away a piece of my world. But it left me, too, with a wish to honor him by joining the many others trying to find a way to end conflict on this very fragile earth.
I am a grandmother now. For my own grandchildren - and for all those of their generation - I try, through writing, to convey my passionate awareness that we live intertwined on this planet and that our future depends upon our caring more, and doing more, for one another."

Reviews

[Library Lady Terri · Rating 2 out of 5]

The bloom is off the rose for me with Gooney Bird. This 2nd grader has too much influence over what appears to be the whole school.

[Sarah Berk · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was cute and I love Lois Lowry! No matter her audience, she knocks it out of the park

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wasn’t a big fan. I haven’t read other books with Gooney Bird in them, but I didn’t really care for her personality. I may be missing something from previous books, but I didn’t like how much attention Gooney Bird got from her teacher, principal, and classmates. I wasn’t sure why they put up with her crazy styles and antics. I felt like everybody catered to her somewhat outrageous demands and ideas. I didn’t think she was completely bossy and domineering, but I just got frustrated with some of her ideas and the way she seemed to “know” what was best for everyone else. I wouldn’t recommend, but other people might like this book if they enjoyed previous books with this character.

*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2011...

[Tori · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can tell Gooney bird will be a good character for us to read aloud. I discovered her by accident at the library, but in this book she and her classmates make a U.S. map in the snow outside and learn interesting facts about states that start with the same letters as their name. Kids learn a little about geography, friendship, and that it is ok to be different. Lowry does a good job of including a diverse set of kids in the class, but Gooney Bird has too much control and influence in the classroom.

[Kenisha Vats · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a realistic fiction because it can happen in real life. this book is written by Lois Lowry and is illustrated by Middy Thomas. I liked this book beacuse it gives me knowledge of countries especially USA. Eg. Georgia is the Headquarter of Cocacola, Texas has a place which sends us to space centre.
I loved the story and the lead character. Gooney bird has so many ideas and she tells good stories.
everyone must read this book.

[Jen de R · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book didn't quite suspend my disbelief that a second-grader could have so much influence over her teacher, class, and the activities of the entire school. There was a lot of boring childish banter that was difficult to get through. The ending did redeem it somewhat.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Gooney Bird and Lois Lowry but this one felt a little forced.

[Britany M Saunders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun book about appreciating staying home for school vacations.

[Kris Kizer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actually, quite funny.

[Melissa Wintin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent book in the series. A must-read series for children, lower to mid elementary. Great character development. Excellent narrator in the audio version as well.

[Kendal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ruby enjoyed this book.

[Kendra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, but not my favorite in the series. It didn't inspire any fun learning for us alongside Gooney Bird and her classmates, as others in the series have done.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclosure: I received an Advance Reader's Copy of this book from the Amazon Vine Program

Gooney Bird on the Map by Lois Lowry

From the back of the book: Mrs. Pidgeon's second grade class has a lot to celebrate in February: presidents' birthdays, Valentine's Day, and school vacation. Of course, some students are talking about their awesome vacation plans every chance they get. It can be hard to focus on subtraction problems when you're heading to Hawaii or Florida in seventeen minus seven days!

But most of the class (twelve minus three of them, in fact) will be staying home during vacation. Can Gooney Bird Greene keep spirits up while just about everyone is feeling down? Gooney Bird has a great idea that sends her classmates and her on a snowy spin through the United States history and geography!
What I liked about the book: I love Gooney! If you like Ramona, Judy Moody, and Clementine you can't help but like Gooney. She is what my Granny would call a "character." How can a second grader have so much wisdom? Gooney's school is a small school - only one class per grade level. There are only 15 students in Gooney's class - an educator's dream in these days of crowded classrooms. I really like how Lowry manages to create learning opportunities (math, geography, history and character education) while entertaining young readers with an engaging story. Students will enjoy Gooney's outrageous style and "out of the box" thinking.

What I didn't like about the book: I love Gooney, BUT - as an educator I have a real problem with the relationship between Mrs. Pidgeon and her class. Sometimes Mrs. Pidgeon acts more like a student. Frequently it appears as though Gooney is the teacher. Gooney is never disrespectful - that's not her style, but there are times, when she does seem rather condescending to the adults around her. Even so, I can't seem to stop myself from running out and grabbing each new book in this series. Gooney makes me smile. I wish I had her confidence.

Recommended for 2nd Grade and Up.

AR Level - not yet rated

Release date: November 15, 2011

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

The one-and-only Gooney Bird Greene is back with another idea! Gooney Bird is quite the individual. She is in second-grade and doesn't care what anyone else thinks about her wardrobe, her ideas or anything! She shows kids that it is okay to wear mismatched socks, to talk to the principal and to beat whatever you want for lunch. Her class is studying US geography right before February vacation time. There are three students in the class going to relatively exotic destinations and they can't help but brag to the class over and over and over again. Gooney Bird thinks up a plan to involve the whole class, in fact the whole school in a geography lesson they will not soon forget. She works her magic to tone down the boasters and make those staying at home feel good, all at the same time. She even teachers her class about observing "a moment of silence" to honor sad things. The Gooney Bird Greene series is a fun series for those just starting into chapter books. Lois Lowry is a wonderfully diverse author that reaches out to all age groups. My only complaint is that the teacher seems to allow free-spirited Gooney Bird a little too much control and influence in her classroom. This is a bit too unrealistic in most classroom settings.

[Tamra · Rating 1 out of 5]

I figured this book was a sure bet: An easy reader written by the author of The Giver. But no. This book is sloppily written, sloppily edited (twice within 5 pages, a short paragraph was written at the bottom of one page and then again at the top of the next page), and un-funny. The main character is an annoying know-it-all who apparently runs her 2nd grade class ("I propose we do this, Mrs. Teacher," she says. "What a great idea! 2 week class project!" Mrs. Teacher replies - not a real quote, but you get the idea).

Also, it was a swing and a miss on what 2nd graders are like / should know. For instance, the book was written this year: 2011. A kid gets a conversation heart that says Magic and he says, "Like Magic Johnson?" I'm sorry, when did Magic Johnson play basketball? FOREVER AGO to a 2nd grader, that's when.

I was very generous and read about 45 pages. You should not be so generous.

[Enasia Lee]

Gooney Bird on the Map is about a second grade class who is already for their vacation, Valentine’s day and President’s day. They all want to talk about their vacations, while the teacher tries to reel them back in and talk about subtraction. Gooney Bird always saves the day, and comes up with great ideas. To keep the students from talking about their vacations, she decides to make a map of the United States in the snow. All the students can see where they are going on vacation and it can relate to geography.
Lois Lowry does a great job with setting. She really creates a good atmosphere of a second grade class and this helps develops her characters as well as set the mood for the story. Duffy explains how, “ a sense of place is key to all writing.” Creating a scene will help with the imagery of the story. I would use this book to help students with the setting as well as integrating it with social studies and math.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second grader Gooney Bird Greene and her classmates in Mrs. Pidgeon's class are trying to get through February. When three classmates keep describing the exotic vacations planned for them while the others will be staying in town with nothing particularly exciting to do, the always creative Gooney Bird comes up with the idea of creating a map of the United States on the playground and plotting where everyone will be. They end up conducting an informative program for the other classes, and the classmates who were gloating about their great trips get the message about their own inconsiderate behavior. Fans of the series will enjoy this installment about the irrepressible Gooney Bird who always seems to come up with the right answer. It often seems as though she runs the classroom more than the on-the-edge-of-being overwhelmed Mrs. Pidgeon.

[VerJean · Rating 4 out of 5]

3/21/2014
February is also the birthday of TWO other presidents: Ronald Reagan and William Henry Taft.
Gooney takes special interest and many "moments of silence" with her second grade classmates for William Henry who died after only one month in office.
Geography made interesting by a map in the snow, surrounded by blue painted oceans and flags of where Barry, Beanie & Ben will be vacationing. But, wait - no one else has a special vacation location and the 3 B's are GLOATING. So we overcome that by assigning states (by first name initial again) to each classmate who gives a presentation on little known fact and the 3B's do the audio sound effects.
Tyrone's Raps are becoming quite the attraction, as well. Even Mr. Leroy raps along!!!

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

This addition to the Gooney Bird series just falls flat. The first book, Gooney Bird Greene, is pretty entertaining, but this book (5th in the series) doesn't have much going for it. If you are looking for a short chapter book series that is consistently good, try Graham Salisbury's Calvin Coconut books.

[Stacey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Let me start off by saying I love Gooney Bird Greene! She is one of my favorite characters that I suggest for my second grade students. This book, for me, falls far short of what I come to expect from a Lois Lowry book. I really wanted to really enjoy this book, but I didn't.

Also there were a few pages that had the same text at the bottom of one page and at the top of the next page.

[Amber the Human · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh, Gooney Bird. You are too clever by half. Whatever will we do with you? This book is quite relateable, for everyone, really. We've all had that classmate or coworker who will not stop talking about their upcoming vacation. Don't worry, Gooney Bird will fix it. I wonder what kind of job she'll have when she's older? Public relations, perhaps?

[Jeri · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some of the other Gooney Bird books are better. This one focused on US geography and my kids enjoyed reading it. However, after reading Gooney Bird is Absurd (the 4th book on poetry) that was so good, this one was kind of a let down for me.

[Horace Mann Family Reading Challenge · Rating 4 out of 5]

You have to love Gooney Bird and her flair, which comes across in all of the books in this series by Lois Lowry. Great classroom read aloud (especially 2nd grade), that may inspire some exciting projects. PK

[Virginia Brace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gooney Bird is my favorite second grader and Mrs. Pidgeon gets the award for the most patient teacher! I have chuckled through all of Lois Lowry's interesting and inventive Gooney Bird Greene books. I so appreciate the way the kids show respect for each other and the adults in their lives.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gooney Bird comes up with an excellent geography lesson just before her second grade class starts their February vacation. It's great to see an author pick something besides Valentine's Day. There were 2 repeating lines of text. Where was the efitor?

[Karen Arendt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an imaginative story. Great school story and some character education about gloating!

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mildly entertaining.

[Carol Moore Kollar · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm going to order the rest of this series for the elementary schools. Gooney Bird is sure to make you laugh.

[Anne Tipton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute character. A refreshing change from Junie B and the Magic Tree House books.

[Goble Family · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like Gooney Bird because she wears silly clothes. My favorite part was everything. They made flags.