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The Kids in Mrs. Z's Class #1
The Kids in Mrs. Z's Class: Emma McKenna, Full Out
Emma McKenna can’t wait for third grade at the brand-new Curiosity Academy. She’ll have a cool teacher who wears high-tops and science earrings. She’ll meet interesting classmates from all over Peppermint Falls. Best of all, she’ll get a fresh start after last year’s talent-show disaster left her with that awful nickname. It’s going to be the best year ever!
Then Lucy walks into Mrs. Z’s room.
Lucy, Emma’s best-friend-turned-enemy.
Lucy, who gave Emma that nickname and spread it all over school!
Emma’s fresh start is doomed . . . unless she can make friends before Lucy ruins everything.
So Emma sets out to be pals with everyone, just like her favorite animal, the capybara. As her classmates argue over the choice of a new school mascot, Emma stays quiet and doesn’t pick sides. (The last thing she needs is another enemy.) But maybe speaking up could be the thing that helps her really connect with her class—and saves her at last from third-grade doom.
Both sweetly poignant in its attention to kids’ worries and friendships and laugh-out-loud funny in its storytelling, with black-and-white illustrations throughout by Pura Belpré Honor artist Kat Fajardo, Emma McKenna, Full Out is the perfect launch for the exciting new Kids in Mrs. Z’s Class chapter-book series.
Then Lucy walks into Mrs. Z’s room.
Lucy, Emma’s best-friend-turned-enemy.
Lucy, who gave Emma that nickname and spread it all over school!
Emma’s fresh start is doomed . . . unless she can make friends before Lucy ruins everything.
So Emma sets out to be pals with everyone, just like her favorite animal, the capybara. As her classmates argue over the choice of a new school mascot, Emma stays quiet and doesn’t pick sides. (The last thing she needs is another enemy.) But maybe speaking up could be the thing that helps her really connect with her class—and saves her at last from third-grade doom.
Both sweetly poignant in its attention to kids’ worries and friendships and laugh-out-loud funny in its storytelling, with black-and-white illustrations throughout by Pura Belpré Honor artist Kat Fajardo, Emma McKenna, Full Out is the perfect launch for the exciting new Kids in Mrs. Z’s Class chapter-book series.
126 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 30, 2024
14 people are currently reading
139 people want to read
About the author
Kate Messner
150 books1,697 followersKate Messner is an award-winning author, TED 2012 speaker, and former middle school English teacher. Her books for kids include THE BRILLIANT FALL OF GIANNA Z.,SUGAR AND ICE, and EYE OF THE STORM (Walker/Bloomsbury Dec. 2010) the MARTY MCGUIRE series (Scholastic), SEA MONSTER'S FIRST DAY, and OVER AND UNDER THE SNOW (Chronicle, Books). Kate also wrote SPITFIRE and CHAMPLAIN AND THE SILENT ONE, both Lake Champlain historical novels published by North Country Books.
Kate lives with her family on Lake Champlain, where she loves to read, write, hike, swing on birch trees, and eat chocolate. She also hangs out in various places online.
Visit Kate's website: http://www.katemessner.com
Find Kate on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/KateMessner
...or follow her on Twitter - @katemessner
Kate lives with her family on Lake Champlain, where she loves to read, write, hike, swing on birch trees, and eat chocolate. She also hangs out in various places online.
Visit Kate's website: http://www.katemessner.com
Find Kate on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/KateMessner
...or follow her on Twitter - @katemessner
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
October 14, 2024
This is going to be a fun series!
I absolutely love when author's work together to create series that, in some ways, build off of each other. It appears that each one of these will focus on the experiences of each child in Mrs. Z's class. Kate Messner starts us off with Emma McKenna who is both excited and nervous to start in a new class at Curiosity Academy. Not only is Emma a fun, relatable, and quirky character, but she also deals with typical things like friendships, new classes, old friendships, and self-image.
With great illustrations done by Kat Fajardo, this is the perfect read for emerging readers. I'm excited to see how each author shapes the characters that readers meet in the classroom.
I absolutely love when author's work together to create series that, in some ways, build off of each other. It appears that each one of these will focus on the experiences of each child in Mrs. Z's class. Kate Messner starts us off with Emma McKenna who is both excited and nervous to start in a new class at Curiosity Academy. Not only is Emma a fun, relatable, and quirky character, but she also deals with typical things like friendships, new classes, old friendships, and self-image.
With great illustrations done by Kat Fajardo, this is the perfect read for emerging readers. I'm excited to see how each author shapes the characters that readers meet in the classroom.
September 27, 2024
I’ll be the first to admit that i am a kids in mrs. z’s class superfan. have actually not shut up about this series all day! btw I’m not counting any of these toward my goal so don’t try to cancel me…
January 13, 2024
I’ve got to be honest… A lot of books are blending together lately. And I understand why! There are so many options out there. How can creators possibly come up with an original idea?
So when I read that this is the first in an “innovative” series, I was trying to figure out what was up and was excited to be given an ARC at NCTE. When I got home and saw it was by Kate Messner, I knew I needed to read it.
Well here’s the deal: this is book one in a series called The Kids in Mrs. Z’s Class. The books start out by opening up to a few pages full of class photos and features a picture of each kid in the class along with their names. So this specific book is about Emma, and it’s written by the fabulous Kate Messner. The next book is going to be about a different kid in the class (Rohan) and written by a completely different author (none other than Rajani LaRocca!) What an incredibly cool idea that eventually we will know everyone in the class and watch is they build friendships and have experiences together!
This idea truly *is* unique, and I am super excited for this series to unfold. Our third graders will be so into it - just like our librarians already are! 🥰
So when I read that this is the first in an “innovative” series, I was trying to figure out what was up and was excited to be given an ARC at NCTE. When I got home and saw it was by Kate Messner, I knew I needed to read it.
Well here’s the deal: this is book one in a series called The Kids in Mrs. Z’s Class. The books start out by opening up to a few pages full of class photos and features a picture of each kid in the class along with their names. So this specific book is about Emma, and it’s written by the fabulous Kate Messner. The next book is going to be about a different kid in the class (Rohan) and written by a completely different author (none other than Rajani LaRocca!) What an incredibly cool idea that eventually we will know everyone in the class and watch is they build friendships and have experiences together!
This idea truly *is* unique, and I am super excited for this series to unfold. Our third graders will be so into it - just like our librarians already are! 🥰
June 11, 2024
Kait got an ARC from the library tween book club and we decided to read it together. It was excellent - entertaining for a fourth grader, a second grader, and their parent (the cat seems to have enjoyed it too.)
We liked that it involved being nervous about new things, new friends, and being on stage. Plus capybaras are cool.
We also had an evening that ended in me teaching the kids how to play Hot Cross Buns on the recorder. Perhaps there should be a parental advisory!
We liked that it involved being nervous about new things, new friends, and being on stage. Plus capybaras are cool.
We also had an evening that ended in me teaching the kids how to play Hot Cross Buns on the recorder. Perhaps there should be a parental advisory!
March 6, 2024
Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central
Emma is excited to be starting Curiosity Academy, a brand new school in her Peppermint Falls community, where she will be in the third grade with the sneaker wearing Mrs. Zamora. Emma wants her new classmates to think she is interesting, so brings a lot of exuberance to the classroom... until she finds out that her nemesis from last year, Lucy, is attending the school as well. Emma has younger twin sisters, Abby and Mae, who are interested in daily celebrations like National Skyscraper Day, and Emma starts sharing these with her classmates. National Extra Dessert Day doesn't go well when she tries to give away a handful of gummy worms one at a time. People are understandably leery, and Emma ends up standing on a table to advertise her plan, which gets her in a little trouble, although Mrs. Z is very understanding and constructive in her reprimand. The school is trying to figure out a new mascot, with students researching different animals, and the third graders are all learning to play the recorder. One of their assignments is to play a song for other people. When the teacher announces a competition, with the student who has the most people listen winning candy, one student opines that this is divisive, and suggests that each student should play for ten people, and if the class meets their goal, everyone can get candy. Emma teams up with Rohan for the recorder playing, traveling around their neighborhood and serenading neighbors, but is apprehensive about getting up and giving a speech about her mascot choice, the capybara. Last year, in a disastrous talent show incident, she fell out with Lucy, who gave her the nickname "Bongo Butt" after a cheerleading wardrobe malfunction revealed bright yellow underwear with her dog's picture on them! Will Emma be able to overcome her anxiety and to come to an understanding with her former best friend?
This is an interesting start to a series that will be written by a wide array of early middle grade authors. It's definitely school based, and embraces the same kind of format as Mills' Franklin School Friends or After School All-Stars books, with each new volume concentrating on a new character. The big difference is that the authors show a bit more diversity, which is reflected in the character on which they are focused. I love that the end of these lists the author's favorite thing about third grade, which is, after all, an awesome year!
Curiosity Academy is everyone's dream school, with student engagement and support, helpful teachers, and no evil administrators so far! We see just enough of Emma's family to understand her a little, which is important. Third grade is a time when children start to feel even more autonomous and develop personalities of their own. Still, family is critically important, so seeing the ice cream shop, Minnie's, that Emma's parents run, and her engaging four-year-old sisters, is helpful.
Series books are always a popular choice with emerging readers, and this slice-of-life look at students at Curiosity Academy, with illustrations by Kat Fajardo (Miss Quinces), will be embraced by readers who like to follow the antics of their favorite characters like Prior and Kissi's Emma Just Medium, Sheth's Nina Soni, Harley's Charlie Bumpers, Calandrelli's Ada Lace, and Kelly's Ballpark Mysteries and Football Mysteries.
Emma is excited to be starting Curiosity Academy, a brand new school in her Peppermint Falls community, where she will be in the third grade with the sneaker wearing Mrs. Zamora. Emma wants her new classmates to think she is interesting, so brings a lot of exuberance to the classroom... until she finds out that her nemesis from last year, Lucy, is attending the school as well. Emma has younger twin sisters, Abby and Mae, who are interested in daily celebrations like National Skyscraper Day, and Emma starts sharing these with her classmates. National Extra Dessert Day doesn't go well when she tries to give away a handful of gummy worms one at a time. People are understandably leery, and Emma ends up standing on a table to advertise her plan, which gets her in a little trouble, although Mrs. Z is very understanding and constructive in her reprimand. The school is trying to figure out a new mascot, with students researching different animals, and the third graders are all learning to play the recorder. One of their assignments is to play a song for other people. When the teacher announces a competition, with the student who has the most people listen winning candy, one student opines that this is divisive, and suggests that each student should play for ten people, and if the class meets their goal, everyone can get candy. Emma teams up with Rohan for the recorder playing, traveling around their neighborhood and serenading neighbors, but is apprehensive about getting up and giving a speech about her mascot choice, the capybara. Last year, in a disastrous talent show incident, she fell out with Lucy, who gave her the nickname "Bongo Butt" after a cheerleading wardrobe malfunction revealed bright yellow underwear with her dog's picture on them! Will Emma be able to overcome her anxiety and to come to an understanding with her former best friend?
This is an interesting start to a series that will be written by a wide array of early middle grade authors. It's definitely school based, and embraces the same kind of format as Mills' Franklin School Friends or After School All-Stars books, with each new volume concentrating on a new character. The big difference is that the authors show a bit more diversity, which is reflected in the character on which they are focused. I love that the end of these lists the author's favorite thing about third grade, which is, after all, an awesome year!
Curiosity Academy is everyone's dream school, with student engagement and support, helpful teachers, and no evil administrators so far! We see just enough of Emma's family to understand her a little, which is important. Third grade is a time when children start to feel even more autonomous and develop personalities of their own. Still, family is critically important, so seeing the ice cream shop, Minnie's, that Emma's parents run, and her engaging four-year-old sisters, is helpful.
Series books are always a popular choice with emerging readers, and this slice-of-life look at students at Curiosity Academy, with illustrations by Kat Fajardo (Miss Quinces), will be embraced by readers who like to follow the antics of their favorite characters like Prior and Kissi's Emma Just Medium, Sheth's Nina Soni, Harley's Charlie Bumpers, Calandrelli's Ada Lace, and Kelly's Ballpark Mysteries and Football Mysteries.
June 8, 2024
🎒 EMMA MCKENNA, FULL OUT REVIEW 🎒
📌 Pub date: 4/30/2024
*I received a free copy from Workman Publishing in exchange for a free and unbiased review.
Overview:
👧🏻 3rd grade class
1️⃣ 1st in a series
🏫 New school
🫱🏼🫲🏻 Making friends
😳 Overcoming fears
Synopsis: Emma McKenna is excited for a fresh start. She will begin her 3rd grade year at Curiosity Academy, where she can finally escape the mean nickname her former best friend, Lucy, gave her last year. Her hopes of having a fresh start are crushed when Lucy walks into Mrs. Z’s class. Emma finds it hard to start over and make new friends with Lucy and the secret of her mean nickname for Emma looming over her. Emma still wants this year to be a good one, and she tries her hardest to show her interesting traits to her new classmates.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 Reading this brought me back to my love for the Junie B. Jones and Ramona books when I was in early elementary school. I plowed through all of those books and won so many prizes during the summer reading program through our local library. 😊 I loved the diversity representation in this book in both the teachers and Emma’s classmates, and I love that each book in the series will feature a different student in Mrs. Z’s class. 3rd graders definitely are not too young for friendship conflicts, and Emma’s conflict with Lucy is a great opportunity to discuss how to handle conflicts. I could see a 2nd or 3rd grade teacher coming up with a lot of fun and engaging activities to go along with this book. Highly recommend for my parents and teachers of lower elementary school students!
📌 Pub date: 4/30/2024
*I received a free copy from Workman Publishing in exchange for a free and unbiased review.
Overview:
👧🏻 3rd grade class
1️⃣ 1st in a series
🏫 New school
🫱🏼🫲🏻 Making friends
😳 Overcoming fears
Synopsis: Emma McKenna is excited for a fresh start. She will begin her 3rd grade year at Curiosity Academy, where she can finally escape the mean nickname her former best friend, Lucy, gave her last year. Her hopes of having a fresh start are crushed when Lucy walks into Mrs. Z’s class. Emma finds it hard to start over and make new friends with Lucy and the secret of her mean nickname for Emma looming over her. Emma still wants this year to be a good one, and she tries her hardest to show her interesting traits to her new classmates.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 Reading this brought me back to my love for the Junie B. Jones and Ramona books when I was in early elementary school. I plowed through all of those books and won so many prizes during the summer reading program through our local library. 😊 I loved the diversity representation in this book in both the teachers and Emma’s classmates, and I love that each book in the series will feature a different student in Mrs. Z’s class. 3rd graders definitely are not too young for friendship conflicts, and Emma’s conflict with Lucy is a great opportunity to discuss how to handle conflicts. I could see a 2nd or 3rd grade teacher coming up with a lot of fun and engaging activities to go along with this book. Highly recommend for my parents and teachers of lower elementary school students!
November 19, 2024
Emma looks forward to attending her new school, Curiosity Academy with her new teacher, Mrs. Z. Until her former friend turned arch enemy, Lucy shows up in the same classroom. Emma wants to make friends but after an unfortunate incident between her and Lucy that resulted in an unpleasant nickname, she's wary. Friendships can be tricky things as Emma discovers as she wrestles with her conundrum. In addition to the friendship concerns, Emma wants to participate in helping her school choose a mascot for the school, but she absolutely doesn't want to get up on the stage to present her suggestion. Can Emma find a way through her friendship concerns to help her school or is she doomed to be too afraid to try? This very relatable story of concerns common to children will ring true to young readers. This series opener introduces readers to the kids in Mrs. Z's class and their problems and worries. Young readers who enjoy Ivy + Bean or Judy Moody and her brother Stink, or Junie B. Jones are bound to find much to enjoy here. Great for read aloud and classroom discussions as well. Recommended.
May 16, 2024
Strong start to this ambitious series. Lots to love - a diverse group of authors and kids, lightly illustrated so it feels like a "big kid" book, but provides a little support for younger readers/listeners. A school story where everybody is the new kid gives it a chance to explore new kid stuff in a different way. (Soooo many new kid at school books!)
Messner does some heavy lifting getting the series started and introducing the cast while also having a resolved story line...and leaving some stuff unresolved for the sequels - all in 106 pages. The pacing moves but doesn't feel rushed. A nice bridge from early chapter books to the 200 page early middle grade novel. Looking forward to the rest!
Also - kudos to Algonquin Young Readers for releasing the series in paperback and hardcover at the same time. The paperback will get this series into the hands of readers faster. I wish more kidlit came out in paperback sooner - it feels so short sighted to lean on hardcover sales for kids who churn through books so fast!
Messner does some heavy lifting getting the series started and introducing the cast while also having a resolved story line...and leaving some stuff unresolved for the sequels - all in 106 pages. The pacing moves but doesn't feel rushed. A nice bridge from early chapter books to the 200 page early middle grade novel. Looking forward to the rest!
Also - kudos to Algonquin Young Readers for releasing the series in paperback and hardcover at the same time. The paperback will get this series into the hands of readers faster. I wish more kidlit came out in paperback sooner - it feels so short sighted to lean on hardcover sales for kids who churn through books so fast!
June 14, 2024
I’m thrilled about this new early chapter book series! Book 1 features Emma, a third grader who’s excited about starting a new school (Curiosity Academy) and having a super cool teacher who wears high-tops and science earrings. Emma’s looking forward to new beginnings, since last year’s talent show was a disaster and left her with a horrible nickname, given to her by her former friend, Lucy. But when Lucy shows up in Emma’s class on the first day of school, Emma’s dreams of new friendships and a fresh start are threatened.
To me, one of the coolest things about this new accessible series is that each one is written by a different kid lit author. Book 2 is about a different kid (Rohan Murthy has a Plan by Rajani LaRocca) and already out, and books 3 and 4 will be released in October. And at only 107 pages with black-and-white illustrations throughout, this one is perfect for readers in second, third, and fourth grade. Themes of friendship & problem solving. Highly recommend!
To me, one of the coolest things about this new accessible series is that each one is written by a different kid lit author. Book 2 is about a different kid (Rohan Murthy has a Plan by Rajani LaRocca) and already out, and books 3 and 4 will be released in October. And at only 107 pages with black-and-white illustrations throughout, this one is perfect for readers in second, third, and fourth grade. Themes of friendship & problem solving. Highly recommend!
January 1, 2024
Perfect start to an exciting new series! As a former 3rd grade teacher-turned-librarian, I’m thrilled to see 3rd graders star in a series! This is the first book, and each subsequent story will feature a different student in Ms. Z’z class, written by different authors! I love this concept, and the first story starts strong. Emma has had a bad friend-turned-enemy experience and is anticipating a fresh start at a new school- until her ex-friend shows up in the same class! Emma is bold and confident with cheerleading, but can she avoid Lucy, make new friends, and find her courage at school as well?
Relatable, funny, and full of empathy- readers will even pick up on some things going on with Lucy, as we really don’t see her being mean during this story. This will be a definite purchase for my library!
Thank you @netgalley for the digital arc!
Relatable, funny, and full of empathy- readers will even pick up on some things going on with Lucy, as we really don’t see her being mean during this story. This will be a definite purchase for my library!
Thank you @netgalley for the digital arc!
August 10, 2024
This is the first book in a new series - The Kids in Mrs. Z's Class. Each book is about one kid in third grade at the brand new Curiosity Academy. And there is a different author for each book! How cool is that?
Emma is excited to start her new school year and make new friends and most importantly have no enemies. Until Lucy walks into class - Lucy was her enemy at her last school. She made fun of her and called her mean names.The story of Lucy and Emma unfolds in this book from Emma's POV. I am sure Lucy's take on things is different.
But there is a lot more to Emma's story. Capybaras. Problem solving. Conflict resolution. New friends. Overcoming fears. Back to school. Twin sisters. Her family runs an ice cream shop.
A great series for kids that like Ms. Frizzle and realistic fiction like the Ramona or Clementine books.
About 100 pages with short chapters - perfect for 2nd and 3rd. A good read aloud option, also!
Emma is excited to start her new school year and make new friends and most importantly have no enemies. Until Lucy walks into class - Lucy was her enemy at her last school. She made fun of her and called her mean names.The story of Lucy and Emma unfolds in this book from Emma's POV. I am sure Lucy's take on things is different.
But there is a lot more to Emma's story. Capybaras. Problem solving. Conflict resolution. New friends. Overcoming fears. Back to school. Twin sisters. Her family runs an ice cream shop.
A great series for kids that like Ms. Frizzle and realistic fiction like the Ramona or Clementine books.
About 100 pages with short chapters - perfect for 2nd and 3rd. A good read aloud option, also!
April 8, 2024
Excellent start for a chapter series with diverse characters with relatable stories to readers and children their age and fun to read aloud for parents who enjoy sharing reads with their little ones. Also, it is educational and with a lot of themes that educators and librarians can explore in each volume.
The first stars Emma, she's a third grader now and new at the Curiosity Academy. The best thing about it is to make new friends and leave old enemies behind. Bht guess what? Lucy... who caused her pain and trauma before joining, too. Emma is energetic, friendly, and sweet, and I bet she will find a way to surpass these obstacles.
Fun themes: uplifting, inspiring, positive, friends and family are supportive, includes a mention to a lot of silly, funny, and interesting national day mentions, a journey to finding a mascot choice, to learn more about each animal before making a case for each. We learn a great deal about capybara, the most but also how to draw a simple step-by-step piggy. Supportive friends and family.
I am very excited about the next book and know another character better.
The first stars Emma, she's a third grader now and new at the Curiosity Academy. The best thing about it is to make new friends and leave old enemies behind. Bht guess what? Lucy... who caused her pain and trauma before joining, too. Emma is energetic, friendly, and sweet, and I bet she will find a way to surpass these obstacles.
Fun themes: uplifting, inspiring, positive, friends and family are supportive, includes a mention to a lot of silly, funny, and interesting national day mentions, a journey to finding a mascot choice, to learn more about each animal before making a case for each. We learn a great deal about capybara, the most but also how to draw a simple step-by-step piggy. Supportive friends and family.
I am very excited about the next book and know another character better.
October 22, 2024
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A fun concept for a book series. Each one follows a different student in Mrs. Z's third grade class. The first book follows Emma McKenna. She's excited to start at Curiosity Academy, but making new friends is harder than she expected. Not to mention, her ex-best-friend-turned-enemy is in the same class. Follow Emma as she navigates disagreements, new connections, and old feuds.
Well-written and engaging. The wonderful black-and-white illustrations pair perfectly with the text.
Nice messages about listening to other's ideas, self-confidence, and being open to new things.
A fantastic start to the series. I'm looking forward to reading more.
A fun concept for a book series. Each one follows a different student in Mrs. Z's third grade class. The first book follows Emma McKenna. She's excited to start at Curiosity Academy, but making new friends is harder than she expected. Not to mention, her ex-best-friend-turned-enemy is in the same class. Follow Emma as she navigates disagreements, new connections, and old feuds.
Well-written and engaging. The wonderful black-and-white illustrations pair perfectly with the text.
Nice messages about listening to other's ideas, self-confidence, and being open to new things.
A fantastic start to the series. I'm looking forward to reading more.
June 23, 2024
EMMA MCKENNA, FULL OUT is the first in a new series about the students in Mrs. Z’s third grade class. In this installment written by Kate Messner, we meet the students and their teacher and get a peek into the start of the school year as the class starts to build community. Emma is excited about making a fresh start at her new school—until her “enemy” from last school year appears at the classroom door. Quick chapters, engaging characters, and relatable scenarios will draw readers in and leave them excited to meet more of Mrs. Z’s students in future books.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC of the book to read and review.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC of the book to read and review.
June 30, 2024
This is such a clever idea! Fun read, and a great set up for the other characters we'll meet. I think kids are going to enjoy this book. The main character worries she's not interesting for new friends in her new school, and she's worried that her ex-friend will make things worse for her. Readers will want to know what happened between them and if it's resolved. While some info is given here, I suspect we won't know how it's all resolved until we hear from the ex-friend's point of view, and I hear that's going to be the last one in the series! I like that there's a lot of diversity in the students and the adults are supportive.
July 7, 2024
A wonderful debut to the series which will be written by different middle grade/YA authors from Messner's brainchild of "The Kids in Mrs. Z's Class". They've plotted the classmates and the stories and each author is writing their specific character's story and Messner got to go first, introducing readers to Emma McKenna, older sister to twin sisters with a penchant for "daily celebrations" using the fun calendar she has and enjoys the mistakes from her family's ice cream shop.
It's a delightfully refreshing look at school, friendships, fitting in, and standing out.
... plus I learned about capybaras!
It's a delightfully refreshing look at school, friendships, fitting in, and standing out.
... plus I learned about capybaras!
September 25, 2024
There's a lot of things I liked about this book. The kids are in third grade. Perfect. It's pretty easy reading....accessible for my students. I read it aloud to my class...and the truth is, we all found it kind of meh. It's not exciting....just meh. Although, it did have some good friendship things to talk about. I had great hopes for it. I heard a podcast where Kate Messner discusses creating the series with a number of different authors (every book is written by a different author) and what an interesting experience it was to do that....but as for reading it...I just found it okay. It's not one I'll likely read aloud next year.
October 2, 2024
The first book in this series about a third grade classroom. I appreciate how the authors plotted the overall arc to create books about each individual classmate.
Emma struggles with starting at a new school and figuring out how she is special too. Then, a former friend ends up in her class. This friend was responsible for hurting Emma and bullying her at their old school. Messner brings out that Lucy acted out of her own hurt and seems to carry pain as well. I appreciate that this friendship did not resolve and look forward to reading Lucy's book later in the series.
A fun read with a strong message for mid-elementary level readers.
Emma struggles with starting at a new school and figuring out how she is special too. Then, a former friend ends up in her class. This friend was responsible for hurting Emma and bullying her at their old school. Messner brings out that Lucy acted out of her own hurt and seems to carry pain as well. I appreciate that this friendship did not resolve and look forward to reading Lucy's book later in the series.
A fun read with a strong message for mid-elementary level readers.
April 28, 2025
This new series is very promising. There will be one book about each student in Mrs. Z's class, each written by a different author. This first book, by Kate Messner, is about Emma McKenna. She is into cheerleading, loves her dog, has little sisters who are twins, and her parents own an ice cream shop. Despite all of that, she doesn't think she's a very interesting person. She starts 3rd grade in a brand new school, one that is opening for its first year. She thinks it's a fresh start, after having a tough time in 2nd grade, when Lucy walks in. Lucy was the reason Emma's 2nd grade year was so hard. This book held the interest of my students as a read-aloud and make them (and me) laugh.
March 11, 2024
I received an ARC of this book for my honest opinion.
Emma is starting the third grade and is haunted by her former best friend’s unkind nickname given to her the year before. Can Emma still speak her mind without feeling embarrassed?
I enjoyed the beginning of this series. The kids were realistic with realistic fears and issues. Overall, I just think it is a brilliant idea to not only have each book focus on one kid in the class but to also have different authors for each student, ensuring that all of the kids will be represented appropriately and uniquely. I loved learning about the kids as I was reading, looking at their portraits in the front and seeing how Rohan viewed Emma and vice versa. A really cool idea for an early chapter book series with options for all kinds of kiddos.
Emma is starting the third grade and is haunted by her former best friend’s unkind nickname given to her the year before. Can Emma still speak her mind without feeling embarrassed?
I enjoyed the beginning of this series. The kids were realistic with realistic fears and issues. Overall, I just think it is a brilliant idea to not only have each book focus on one kid in the class but to also have different authors for each student, ensuring that all of the kids will be represented appropriately and uniquely. I loved learning about the kids as I was reading, looking at their portraits in the front and seeing how Rohan viewed Emma and vice versa. A really cool idea for an early chapter book series with options for all kinds of kiddos.
April 18, 2024
Messenger was such a great choice for series opener, she has such an effortless way of establishing a setting and its energy. And Kat Fajardo on illustrations was a genius decision. Both have large fan bases of kids and grownups.
Messner’s character Emma is both singular and relatable. I love the problem of Lucy and what a common childhood situation!
It was cool catching glimpses of the students we will come to meet throughout the series—so kudos, I’m set to follow Mrs. Z’s Classroom.
Thank you publisher for the ARC.
Messner’s character Emma is both singular and relatable. I love the problem of Lucy and what a common childhood situation!
It was cool catching glimpses of the students we will come to meet throughout the series—so kudos, I’m set to follow Mrs. Z’s Classroom.
Thank you publisher for the ARC.
April 29, 2024
Brand new school, new class, and the hope to make new friends. The kids in Mrs. Z’s class have the opportunity to be part of creating their ideal learning space, the Curiosity Academy.
Each book features one student from Mrs. Zamora’s third-grade class and focuses on their hopes and challenges; gradually moving from strangers to a unity that will stay with them forever.
I always enjoy books with different POVs and giving each student their individual book is brilliant. This way we can get to know them on a deeply personal level and feel like we are becoming part of this class.
It is also very refreshing that different authors write these books. This way they bring their special voices and experiences into the stories, and make the books much richer.
This new series is a great exploration into different subjects for young readers and will engage them for a whole school year at Curiosity Academy.
Each book features one student from Mrs. Zamora’s third-grade class and focuses on their hopes and challenges; gradually moving from strangers to a unity that will stay with them forever.
I always enjoy books with different POVs and giving each student their individual book is brilliant. This way we can get to know them on a deeply personal level and feel like we are becoming part of this class.
It is also very refreshing that different authors write these books. This way they bring their special voices and experiences into the stories, and make the books much richer.
This new series is a great exploration into different subjects for young readers and will engage them for a whole school year at Curiosity Academy.
June 9, 2024
4 stars
I read a digital copy courtesy of the publisher and Net Galley.
Emma McKenna is excited about starting third grade in a new school but that all changes when her nemesis Lucy walks into the classroom. Lucy and Emma used to be friends but when Emma put cheer before Lucy it caused a rift that really became a disaster when after the school talent show last year Lucy gave Emma a not so nice nickname that stuck. Now Emma just wants to make friends and get along with everyone at her new school but is Lucy going to bring up the past? A delightful start to the series.
I read a digital copy courtesy of the publisher and Net Galley.
Emma McKenna is excited about starting third grade in a new school but that all changes when her nemesis Lucy walks into the classroom. Lucy and Emma used to be friends but when Emma put cheer before Lucy it caused a rift that really became a disaster when after the school talent show last year Lucy gave Emma a not so nice nickname that stuck. Now Emma just wants to make friends and get along with everyone at her new school but is Lucy going to bring up the past? A delightful start to the series.
March 19, 2025
This was a fine book, but nothing exceptional. The book follows Emma as she starts a new school. However, her old best friend and now enemy is there too. She's scared to put herself out there because of this girl and I hated to see it. The only thing she really loves is cheerleading. They have to decide a school mascot because its a new charter school so she finds her voice there and it all comes out why the girl is her enemy. I'm excited to read on in the series even though I didn't love this one.
January 3, 2024
The first day at a new school is full of excitement and hope... until your biggest enemy walks in the door.
Kate Messner's first installment is the perfect start to this new and quirky, multi-author series! The kids in Mrs. Z's class are funny, diverse and completely relatable for our young readers. This series will definitely be a must-buy for our school library!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
Kate Messner's first installment is the perfect start to this new and quirky, multi-author series! The kids in Mrs. Z's class are funny, diverse and completely relatable for our young readers. This series will definitely be a must-buy for our school library!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
June 17, 2024
👧🏻 reviews: Were you a Junie B Jones fan? This one is a bit of that and more. It is about Emma dealing with Lucy her previous ex-BFF and what she needed to do. I enjoyed this fast, short and funny chapter book. I used to read chapter and series books and many of them are short and entertaining just like this one. I enjoyed it even as a middle-school student because the story was simple and funny.
December 14, 2024
Emma is so excited to start third grade at a new school, until her enemy from last year shows up in her classroom. Emma just wants to be interesting, but she can't decide what to share with her class. When she remembers the weird holiday calendar her aunt gave her, everything changes. Follow Emma and her classmates through silly antics and working together to build new friendships. First in a series written by multiple authors, each following a different student in Mrs. Z's class.
August 12, 2025
What a great new series for my little ones. Every book is about a different character in Mrs. Z's class. This book is about Emma, starting at a new school and wants her new friends to think she is interesting. Emma is a fun quirky little girl. I love the "special days" she is always mentioning. Love how the class works together to win a music competition. The idea of a contest for a school mascot is very interesting. Can't wait to read the other books.
October 25, 2025
Emma McKenna is excited to start at a brand new school after a disastrous talent show at the end of the previous year. She is devastated to discover that her former best friend is also in her new classroom. Emma becomes terrified when her class selects her to give a speech in front of the school explaining why capybaras should be the school mascot. Despite her fear, she delivers her speech and earns second place in the votes! This is a great book for showing children that they can face and overcome their fears.
June 19, 2024
A fun early middle grade chapter book! I like that this book started at the beginning of the school year. A lot of my students request these in September. The variety of characters in this series will allow readers to see someone like themselves and connect with the different students. Looking forward to the rest of the series!
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