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Rip and Red #1
A Whole New Ballgame
Rip and Red are best friends whose fifth-grade year is nothing like what they expected. They have a crazy new tattooed teacher named Mr. Acevedo, who doesn't believe in tests or homework and who likes off-the-wall projects, the more "off" the better. They also find themselves with a new basketball Mr. Acevedo! Easy-going Rip is knocked completely out of his comfort zone. And for Red, who has autism and really needs things to be exactly a certain way, the changes are even more of a struggle. But together these two make a great duo who know how to help each other―and find ways to make a difference―in the classroom and on the court.
With its energetic and authentic story and artwork, this is a fresh, fun book about school, sports, and friendship.
This title has Common Core connections.
With its energetic and authentic story and artwork, this is a fresh, fun book about school, sports, and friendship.
This title has Common Core connections.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published August 18, 2015
84 people are currently reading
1106 people want to read
About the author
Phil Bildner
36 books118 followersPhil Bildner is the New York Times bestselling author of numerous books for kids. His latest book is the groundbreaking, #OwnVoices middle grade novel, A High Five for Glenn Burke. He is the author of many children’s picture books including the Margaret Wise Brown Prize winning Marvelous Cornelius, the Texas Bluebonnet Award winning Shoeless Joe & Black Betsy, Martina & Chrissie, Twenty-One Elephants, and The Soccer Fence. Phil is also the author of A Whole New Ballgame, Rookie of the Year, Tournament of Champions, and Most Valuable Players in the critically acclaimed middle grade Rip & Red series.
Phil grew up in Jericho, New York, a Long Island suburb of New York City. He studied political science at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland and then attended law school at New York University School of Law. After passing the bar in New York and New Jersey, Phil worked as an associate at a large Manhattan law firm, but he quickly realized the legal profession wasn’t for him. So he followed his heart and went back to school, earning a master’s degree in early childhood and elementary education from Long Island University.
For eleven years, Phil taught in the New York City Public Schools. Teaching fifth and sixth grade in the Tremont section of the Bronx in the 1990s, he built an innovative ELA curriculum around song lyrics and music. Dave Matthews, Barenaked Ladies, Blues Traveler, Lauryn Hill, and Wyclef Jean all visited his classroom. Teaching middle school English and American History in Manhattan in the 2000s, Phil continued to integrate music and the arts into his curriculum, working with the Lincoln Center Institute, Broadway shows (Wicked, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), and Off-Broadway shows (Def Poetry Jam, De la Guarda).
After leaving the classroom to write full time, Phil began chaperoning student-volunteer trips to New Orleans to help in the post-Hurricane Katrina recovery effort. He founded The NOLA Tree, a non-profit youth service organization and served as the co-Executive Director.
These days, Phil lives in Newburgh, New York with his husband in a two hundred year old farmhouse. Most of the time, you’ll find him out in the yard playing with his dog named Kat or writing on the back porch (aka, his office) overlooking the Hudson River.
Phil grew up in Jericho, New York, a Long Island suburb of New York City. He studied political science at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland and then attended law school at New York University School of Law. After passing the bar in New York and New Jersey, Phil worked as an associate at a large Manhattan law firm, but he quickly realized the legal profession wasn’t for him. So he followed his heart and went back to school, earning a master’s degree in early childhood and elementary education from Long Island University.
For eleven years, Phil taught in the New York City Public Schools. Teaching fifth and sixth grade in the Tremont section of the Bronx in the 1990s, he built an innovative ELA curriculum around song lyrics and music. Dave Matthews, Barenaked Ladies, Blues Traveler, Lauryn Hill, and Wyclef Jean all visited his classroom. Teaching middle school English and American History in Manhattan in the 2000s, Phil continued to integrate music and the arts into his curriculum, working with the Lincoln Center Institute, Broadway shows (Wicked, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), and Off-Broadway shows (Def Poetry Jam, De la Guarda).
After leaving the classroom to write full time, Phil began chaperoning student-volunteer trips to New Orleans to help in the post-Hurricane Katrina recovery effort. He founded The NOLA Tree, a non-profit youth service organization and served as the co-Executive Director.
These days, Phil lives in Newburgh, New York with his husband in a two hundred year old farmhouse. Most of the time, you’ll find him out in the yard playing with his dog named Kat or writing on the back porch (aka, his office) overlooking the Hudson River.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 203 reviews
August 8, 2017
This is a story about best friends Rip and Red, and their experience in 5th grade. They expect things to go a certain way but are greeted with unexpected change everywhere they look. The school district budget has been cut and with these cuts come staff changes and changes to the sports program. Rip and Red have been looking forward to playing basketball together and having a certain 5th-grade teacher. Red has some issues, but Rip has always been there to guide him through. But the changes this year challenge both of them.
This is a fun realistic fiction story that kids who love basketball (and others) will enjoy. The friendship between Red and Rip is special and meaningful. The new teacher, Mr. Acevedo embodies the naivete and hope of teachers fresh out of college. He really wants to make a difference in the lives of his students. The book is well written and fun to read.
This is another book nominated for the 2017-18 Sunshine State Young Readers Award, grades 3-5. I'm sure there will be more than a few fans of this book in our school.
This is a fun realistic fiction story that kids who love basketball (and others) will enjoy. The friendship between Red and Rip is special and meaningful. The new teacher, Mr. Acevedo embodies the naivete and hope of teachers fresh out of college. He really wants to make a difference in the lives of his students. The book is well written and fun to read.
This is another book nominated for the 2017-18 Sunshine State Young Readers Award, grades 3-5. I'm sure there will be more than a few fans of this book in our school.
May 11, 2015
What stuck to me as a teacher was Mr. Acevedo's teaching style. Readers Workshop. Writers Workshop. Preview stacks. Read Alouds.
What will stick to young readers is the basketball parts. The parts that show the friendship between Rip and Red. The Nasty inquiry project the teacher assigns.
I cannot wait to share this book with readers next fall. Be sure to put this book on your August purchase list!
What will stick to young readers is the basketball parts. The parts that show the friendship between Rip and Red. The Nasty inquiry project the teacher assigns.
I cannot wait to share this book with readers next fall. Be sure to put this book on your August purchase list!
February 27, 2015
The characters in A Whole New Ballgame are complex and well-developed. Bildner has captured the wide range of personalities and emotions on display in any middle school.
Note: I received an ARC from the publisher.
Note: I received an ARC from the publisher.
February 16, 2021
somewhere between 3.5-4 stars.
September 20, 2021
Wasn't any good kind of boring plot
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July 17, 2017"A Whole New Ballgame seemed like it could be a promising study of friendship between an autistic character and neurotypical character. Based on the description on the cover flap, I was looking forward to seeing how the main characters’ love of basketball helps them through a stressful school year. Unfortunately, while the neurotypical character Rip gets a separate narrative and character development, Red is often relegated to muttering statistics and nervously stimming in the background."
Read contributor Jessica Mulqueen's full review at Disability in Kidlit.
Read contributor Jessica Mulqueen's full review at Disability in Kidlit.
August 18, 2016
Loved promoting this at local elementary schools leading up to the 2016 Summer Reading Program (sports-themed!).
Great sports action scenes with believably passionate characters, Nice variety of perspectives in the stars of the show.
I was surprised by how much focus was on classroom teaching methods. I described it to friends as "educational escapism." It felt a little contrived, but that coulda been my personal bias. Anyway, I'm really glad there was a heavy emphasis on the sports action too.
Like like like!
Great sports action scenes with believably passionate characters, Nice variety of perspectives in the stars of the show.
I was surprised by how much focus was on classroom teaching methods. I described it to friends as "educational escapism." It felt a little contrived, but that coulda been my personal bias. Anyway, I'm really glad there was a heavy emphasis on the sports action too.
Like like like!
March 29, 2016
This book made me smile, made me glad kids are kids and are nicer to each other than adults ever are. I learned some tidbits about basketball which is always a bonus to me. I also welled up a little at the final basketball game section. Most of all? It made me want to be a better teacher.
May 20, 2018
My last book off the SSYRA 2017 list! I didn't think that this one would appeal to me personally, but I actually got really into it. The book is long for kids, but the chapters are short and it really sticks to the important plot highlights & character details rather than getting mired down in irrelevant info so it is still an achievable read. Loved the diversity in this book. And I got a little attached to Mr. Acevedo, who at first I didn't like because he was a little too unprofessional for me, but as a school system rebel myself, I loved his "do what's best for kids, not scores" attitude. I don't think it would be a very exciting read-aloud, but it's a great chapter book to get sports lovers reading.
May 23, 2017
I really liked so much about this book. The characters are diverse, complex, and engaging. The narrator, Rip, is compassionate and thoughtful and his relationship with his best friend, Red, is truly touching. Much of the book focuses on the two things that take up most of Rip's time: school and basketball. This year, Rip and Red have a new 5th grade teacher, Mr. Acevedo, who is also their new basketball coach. Mr. Acevedo's teaching and coaching methods are unusual...will Rip and Red have a great year, or will it be a bust?
May 5, 2020
I loved this book, one of the lessons I learned was that you always have teamwork and that evrn if you think you will not like someone you could end up being there friend and really liked them. In this book it showed that when Rip was partners with Avery but he was really mad and wanted to be with Red but he ended up being friends with Avery this showes that you always have to give people a try.
January 27, 2018
4.5- An adorable Book that I can’t wait to get into my students hands. Basketball is king with many of my students this year and I can see them eating this series up. Mr. A was also a fun teacher to read about. It made me think of my first year of teaching and all the things I tried to make learning more fun.
January 4, 2020
This book was really cute. Rip and Red are best buds. They get a new teacher in fifth grade, and he's a DIFFERENT kind of teacher who gets everyone out of their comfort zones. He also coaches the basketball team. I'll need this whole series for my classroom library for sure.
February 21, 2021
LOVE this middle grade school and sports story. Great for readers who enjoy Gordon Korman.
April 9, 2017
I stayed up past my bedtime two nights in a row to devour this funny and touching book. Love the diverse characters and wish more teachers were like Mr. A. Can't wait to read the sequel!
August 26, 2015
Stuff I Read - A Whole New Ballgame by Phil Bildner REview
Sometimes regular fiction can be a hard sell for me. I trace my reading preferences back to Goosebumps and I've just moved more into speculative fiction since then, but that doesn't mean that I don't like fiction, especially when it's done well. And, luckily for me, this book is done quite well. And for a children's book it tackles some thorny issues in education that make it interested even for someone who will probably have nothing much to do with education ever again. For all that, I do believe in the power of education, and the responsibility to provide children an education that will encourage them to reach their highest potential. And this book provides a nice glimpse at how the current system is a bit broken and how we might go about starting to fix it.
The story follows Rip and Red, two best friends. The book also does a great job of not reducing the characters to what might make them stand out. Rip is black, Red is on the autism spectrum, Avery is in a wheelchair, and yet the book treats them as full characters, as nuanced and strong and with their own problems that have nothing to do with what they look like. They all go to the same school and have to deal with a new teacher when the district reorganizes after having its budget cut. And Mr. Acevedo is not what any of them were expecting. Instead of teaching overtly toward standardized tests, Acevedo emphasizes fun and engagement. He gets the kids interested in school, in reading, and almost tricks them into learning.
And it’s a point that's quite a fun one to make, that teaching toward a test doesn't really have to look like teaching toward a test. That, indeed, it becomes something entirely different. Sort of like the teach a person to fish saying, the focus here is on teaching the kids the skills that they will be tested on and not the specific problems. They are allowed to set a lot of their own schedules as long as they make deadlines, thereby giving them more responsibility in their education. Which is not how things happen, because more and more people seem unwilling to trust kids with their own education. They must be shielded or brainwashed to learn this or that, must be kept ignorant in targeted ways. But here they are freed to try, and to learn, and it works. And, yes, it's fiction, but the book does seem to give some good advice for how teaching could be better.
In this is also a story about friendship, about not judging people based on how you first gauge them. It's a nice story, full of diversity and with a great mix of humor and heartwarming moments. It's also focused on setting goals and keeping at them even if they don't seem attainable, even if you have to fail a lot until you succeed. It's a fun book with an uplifting ending, and in the end I think that it's entertaining for both young readers and adults and well worth reading. Which means it's an 8.25/10 for me.
Sometimes regular fiction can be a hard sell for me. I trace my reading preferences back to Goosebumps and I've just moved more into speculative fiction since then, but that doesn't mean that I don't like fiction, especially when it's done well. And, luckily for me, this book is done quite well. And for a children's book it tackles some thorny issues in education that make it interested even for someone who will probably have nothing much to do with education ever again. For all that, I do believe in the power of education, and the responsibility to provide children an education that will encourage them to reach their highest potential. And this book provides a nice glimpse at how the current system is a bit broken and how we might go about starting to fix it.
The story follows Rip and Red, two best friends. The book also does a great job of not reducing the characters to what might make them stand out. Rip is black, Red is on the autism spectrum, Avery is in a wheelchair, and yet the book treats them as full characters, as nuanced and strong and with their own problems that have nothing to do with what they look like. They all go to the same school and have to deal with a new teacher when the district reorganizes after having its budget cut. And Mr. Acevedo is not what any of them were expecting. Instead of teaching overtly toward standardized tests, Acevedo emphasizes fun and engagement. He gets the kids interested in school, in reading, and almost tricks them into learning.
And it’s a point that's quite a fun one to make, that teaching toward a test doesn't really have to look like teaching toward a test. That, indeed, it becomes something entirely different. Sort of like the teach a person to fish saying, the focus here is on teaching the kids the skills that they will be tested on and not the specific problems. They are allowed to set a lot of their own schedules as long as they make deadlines, thereby giving them more responsibility in their education. Which is not how things happen, because more and more people seem unwilling to trust kids with their own education. They must be shielded or brainwashed to learn this or that, must be kept ignorant in targeted ways. But here they are freed to try, and to learn, and it works. And, yes, it's fiction, but the book does seem to give some good advice for how teaching could be better.
In this is also a story about friendship, about not judging people based on how you first gauge them. It's a nice story, full of diversity and with a great mix of humor and heartwarming moments. It's also focused on setting goals and keeping at them even if they don't seem attainable, even if you have to fail a lot until you succeed. It's a fun book with an uplifting ending, and in the end I think that it's entertaining for both young readers and adults and well worth reading. Which means it's an 8.25/10 for me.
September 3, 2015
I'm not exactly sure who the target audience is, but I greatly enjoyed the book. I presume it's for kids, slightly older elementary school children (the characters in the book are 5th graders) but an adult can read it and enjoy it, too and it could be read aloud to younger school-age children. It provides a good illustration of best-case scenario interactions and what it can mean for someone to understand (and not just accept or be aware of) a person with autism.
The portrayal of Red, who has high-functioning autism, and his reactions to certain stressful situations are very accurate (although the closest thing to a total meltdown Red has is pretty tame in comparison to what my son is capable of - I guess, if it were my son in Red's shoes, then the author stepped away before it got REALLY bad - but I'm pretty impressed that the author even goes there so I'm not going to nit pick it). The friendship between Rip and Red is an example of the kind of friendship every parent of a child on the spectrum hopes their child will have one day. At least, it's what this mom hopes for her child on the spectrum.
The book also takes to task the current teach-to-the-test/teach-how-to-pass-the-test/SOL academic culture we're stuck with, which I know frustrates a lot of people. However, the author's depiction of the teacher, the testing, and the feedback is probably pretty spot-on. (Not being a teacher myself, I cannot vouch for the validity but it sure sounds about right from what I hear from my teacher friends.)
I saw, elsewhere, that someone described some of the scenarios as convenient. Well, yes. Some of the story is predictable and some of it is downright far-fethed, but it's a book and one that I presume is directed toward children. I've already purchased a copy to donate to my kids' school library and one for his best friend's birthday.
The portrayal of Red, who has high-functioning autism, and his reactions to certain stressful situations are very accurate (although the closest thing to a total meltdown Red has is pretty tame in comparison to what my son is capable of - I guess, if it were my son in Red's shoes, then the author stepped away before it got REALLY bad - but I'm pretty impressed that the author even goes there so I'm not going to nit pick it). The friendship between Rip and Red is an example of the kind of friendship every parent of a child on the spectrum hopes their child will have one day. At least, it's what this mom hopes for her child on the spectrum.
The book also takes to task the current teach-to-the-test/teach-how-to-pass-the-test/SOL academic culture we're stuck with, which I know frustrates a lot of people. However, the author's depiction of the teacher, the testing, and the feedback is probably pretty spot-on. (Not being a teacher myself, I cannot vouch for the validity but it sure sounds about right from what I hear from my teacher friends.)
I saw, elsewhere, that someone described some of the scenarios as convenient. Well, yes. Some of the story is predictable and some of it is downright far-fethed, but it's a book and one that I presume is directed toward children. I've already purchased a copy to donate to my kids' school library and one for his best friend's birthday.
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September 2, 2015It is not often that a book marketed for an elementary/middle grade audience also strikes a chord with the teachers who offer it to their students. Author Phil Bildner has written such a book. A WHOLE NEW BALLGAME may be intended for kids ages 8-12, but it speaks to educators just the same.
Rip and Red are starting fifth grade in the elementary school they have attended since kindergarten. When they arrive at school on the first day, they are greeted by unfamiliar faces. Where is Ms. Hamburger, the usual fifth grade teacher? Where is Ms. Darling, the principal? Where is Waldon, the parent coordinator?
Upon entering their classroom, Rip and Red come face to face with a man who introduces himself as Mr. Acevedo. A new teacher? How can this be?
As the days pass, all the students realize that Mr. Acevedo is not a usual kind of teacher. He encourages reading and writing and starts the students on a research project, but he doesn't believe in worksheets and he doesn't believe in TESTS. Another surprise comes along after school when Rip and Red discover that Mr. Acevedo is also going to be their new basketball coach.
Will the fifth graders learn what they need to to pass the district-required standardized tests? Will they actually learn anything at all? And, will their mixed up basketball team ever win a game? Mr. Acevedo doesn't seem to be worried at all.
Phil Bildner's fast-paced style and illustrator Tim Probert's great sketches are sure to capture the attention of young readers, but that's just the beginning. Mr. Acevedo's bold approach and dedication to helping kids learn to think and not just regurgitate facts for some mandated test will speak to and encourage teachers to do what is best for their students. A WHOLE NEW BALLGAME truly has something for all audiences!
Rip and Red are starting fifth grade in the elementary school they have attended since kindergarten. When they arrive at school on the first day, they are greeted by unfamiliar faces. Where is Ms. Hamburger, the usual fifth grade teacher? Where is Ms. Darling, the principal? Where is Waldon, the parent coordinator?
Upon entering their classroom, Rip and Red come face to face with a man who introduces himself as Mr. Acevedo. A new teacher? How can this be?
As the days pass, all the students realize that Mr. Acevedo is not a usual kind of teacher. He encourages reading and writing and starts the students on a research project, but he doesn't believe in worksheets and he doesn't believe in TESTS. Another surprise comes along after school when Rip and Red discover that Mr. Acevedo is also going to be their new basketball coach.
Will the fifth graders learn what they need to to pass the district-required standardized tests? Will they actually learn anything at all? And, will their mixed up basketball team ever win a game? Mr. Acevedo doesn't seem to be worried at all.
Phil Bildner's fast-paced style and illustrator Tim Probert's great sketches are sure to capture the attention of young readers, but that's just the beginning. Mr. Acevedo's bold approach and dedication to helping kids learn to think and not just regurgitate facts for some mandated test will speak to and encourage teachers to do what is best for their students. A WHOLE NEW BALLGAME truly has something for all audiences!
March 9, 2019
This book felt so forced to me. Maybe it’s because I’m a teacher and I get tired of the “new young teacher sweeping in with innovative teaching styles and LOOK everyone succeeds” troupe. And for those rolling their eyes, I’m a young teacher, and somewhat innovative. I guess my rating/review is a personal bone I’m picking, but to make issues in schools seem so simple as to throw in fresh blood that has complete disregard for all of the school’s rules and mandated curriculum (newsflash you literally can’t do whatever you want in a class) and then see a complete student turnaround, despite massive budget cuts and a huge loss in the number of teachers in the building. I dunno. It just doesn’t sit well with me. It’s not reality. This teacher stands on desks, is covered in tattoos, reads with expression, and doesn’t believe in tests. All of a sudden everyone does better in school because of that? Okay. I will give kudos to the author for hilighting that the teacher did get parental pressure for his “new” methods though, because that is very real.
But, bottom line, if it gets kids reading and excited to see themselves in literature (sports, seeing a student with autism, students of color, and a student in a wheelchair being represented), then I won’t knock it too hard. I bought it for my classroom shelf. I just don’t agree with the plot.
But, bottom line, if it gets kids reading and excited to see themselves in literature (sports, seeing a student with autism, students of color, and a student in a wheelchair being represented), then I won’t knock it too hard. I bought it for my classroom shelf. I just don’t agree with the plot.
July 30, 2015
I read a digital ARC from NetGalley and I really liked this book a lot. I think the author has important things to say to a number of different readers. To kids, the author has an important message about inclusion, friendship, and hard work. All of the characters in this story have ways that they struggle: Red is autistic, Avery is wheelchair-bound, and Rip is the glue that holds everyone together. Mr. Acevedo is working hard to teach and reach children in an environment of budget cuts and standardized test mania. There are also some exciting basketball scenes for sports fans, too. I think this is a great book for my 5th grade classroom library.
Also, the author has some wonderful things to say to teachers and educators. Mr. Acevedo (the new 5th grade teacher) has awesome ideas for reaching and teaching kids. I love that there are some book titles that I excitedly added to my GoodReads To Read list and some ideas for getting kids excited about authentic learning projects. So I want to get an extra copy for my own bookshelf as a reference and an inspiration!
Also, the author has some wonderful things to say to teachers and educators. Mr. Acevedo (the new 5th grade teacher) has awesome ideas for reaching and teaching kids. I love that there are some book titles that I excitedly added to my GoodReads To Read list and some ideas for getting kids excited about authentic learning projects. So I want to get an extra copy for my own bookshelf as a reference and an inspiration!
July 28, 2015
Okay, I don't usually read sports books, but when I got the ARC of this one from Macmillan at ALA, I was really drawn to it for the variety of ways diversity is featured in the cast of characters-- and I'm SO glad I gave it a try! As a librarian, I want to read widely so I can recommend books to all kinds of readers, and now I know I've got a solid middle grade sports story recommendation right here. I should clarify for my fellow non-sports-story readers that this is not ACTUALLY all about basketball. It's more of a friendship/school story about a class that gets a new teacher with inventive methods that help them think outside the box and grow to understand each other... and some awesome basketball scenes that'll thrill the sports fans. This book made me want to stand up and cheer- I was really rooting for the characters. It's got very natural dialogue and nicely short chapters that keep the pace moving. Totally endearing.
March 23, 2015
I loved this story about a fifth grade class dealing with budget cuts (so they have a new teacher who is teaching lots of different classes), testing (their teacher wants to actually teach the kids rather than teach the test), an amazingly diverse class (kids who speak different languages as well as a girl in a wheel chair and an autistic boy), and basketball bullies. The book has a fun, fresh voice and although it has a rosier ending than it probably should have, I think kids will really like the narrator and want to read more about these kids and this class.
September 1, 2016
Boo-yah! I love this book so much! On my best days, I hope I'm at least a little like Mr. Acevedo. I know for sure we share the same philosophy that good teaching and active learning trumps test prep any day. I love the diversity of the characters. Rip's essay on p. 191 about being unique...when you read that page, stop and read They All Saw a Cat. Perfect text/text connection!
I think this will be my next read aloud. And it looks like perhaps the theme for this year's read alouds might be school stories. We'll see.
I think this will be my next read aloud. And it looks like perhaps the theme for this year's read alouds might be school stories. We'll see.
February 12, 2019
Updated review -- I read this aloud to my class and am bumping up to 4 stars (from 3). We all loved it! I enjoyed a lot of the little details in the book. Again, I didn't appreciate the use of the word "frigging" or "crap" -- not sure those have a place in middle grade novels...
This book would make a great beginning of the year read aloud, although I didn't love the use of the word "frigging". There were a couple of instances where the story fit together a little too well that gave it an inauthentic feel. That being said my fourth graders will love it!
This book would make a great beginning of the year read aloud, although I didn't love the use of the word "frigging". There were a couple of instances where the story fit together a little too well that gave it an inauthentic feel. That being said my fourth graders will love it!
March 15, 2016
This book is really cool. There's this one teacher that comes to rip and reds' school. He is covered with all types of tattoos on his body. He is in charge of the basketball team to. Rip has to deal with a mean girl name Avery in a wheelchair. Red he is just just ill. That teacher is so cool that he doesn't do worksheets or test's. They won not one game yet but they were working on it. The teacher came in one day acting all weird and stuff.
April 8, 2016
Phil Bildner writes a book that relates to a variety of students and Every teacher out there in this world of High-stakes testing. I loved everything about Rip and Red's friendship, Mr. Acevedo's personality and teaching/coaching style, and the community he built in room 208.
I can't wait to share this with my fifth graders and I can't wait to read Rookie of the Year!
I can't wait to share this with my fifth graders and I can't wait to read Rookie of the Year!
February 27, 2016
4.5 stars. Wishing there were more teachers like Mr. Acevedo at my school, or shall I say, that my teachers had the freedom to employ reader/writer workshop without constant pressure from admin about test scores! Love the diverse kid characters and that Red isn't labeled. Looking forward to book 2.
November 27, 2015
This book about an unlikely pair of basketball-loving 5th graders & their unorthodox first-year teacher is totally rad, dude! I want to BE a Mr. Acevedo to my students! I can't wait for the next Rip & Red adventure!
September 23, 2015
I don't run across a lot of books for school-age kids that reflect a modern school experience and classroom, but this one does. A boy book, a diverse book, a reluctant reader friendly book, a book against testing, a book for kindness. And, kids will actually like it. Hats off to Phil Bildner!
January 24, 2017
Must read read-aloud for all teachers and students. Phil Bildner captures the importance of being a hands on teacher and the effects thinking outside of the box have in school, sports, and life. Rip and Red's story is amazing to follow and one students can relate to of any middle aged grade.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 203 reviews