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Walker Wildcats Year 1: Age 10 #1
Episode 1: The New Girl: The Extraordinarily Ordinary Life of Cassandra Jones
Cassie's only ten years old, but her life is already ruined.That's what happens when her dad moves her family away from her big city life and friends in Texas. As if that weren't bad enough, now she's surrounded by chickens and blood-sucking spider-bugs called TICKS.Everything is weird in Arkansas.But they think she is weird.Not only is she starting a new school with no friends, but she doesn't even know her phone number. Or where her house is. Or how to get to the cafeteria.All she wants is to go back to Texas. But her parents won't let her, so she falls back on Plan Make new friends.It's not that easy when everyone thinks she's a little unusual. Cassie has to prove one thing to all of she's an extraordinarily ordinary girl.Read along with Cassie as she navigates the pitfalls of school days in this fantastically funny and heart-warming illustrated series for preteens filled with friendship, embarrassing moments and, of course, ice cream.The first book in a hilarious series for children. Perfect for fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Junie B. Jones, and Dork Diaries.Praise for Cassandra "My daughter, 12, started with the last one and loved it so much we ordered this (and the next) so she can keep up with the stories. It’s age appropriate, funny, interesting and keeps her wanting to keep reading. Great Book!" - Amazon Reviewer"My granddaughter loves this series.. I’m buying it every year for her birthday for the appropriate age!" - Carol Vizina, Amazon Reviewer
130 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 9, 2015
2010 people are currently reading
604 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
June 22, 2016
Amazing!
I chose 5 stars because I love this book! I'm going to 5th grade so I wanted to see how Cassie felt about it. Even though she had some best friend problems and adult problems I think she loves her school and house. I hope Cassie's best friends Riley and Danelle get along!
I chose 5 stars because I love this book! I'm going to 5th grade so I wanted to see how Cassie felt about it. Even though she had some best friend problems and adult problems I think she loves her school and house. I hope Cassie's best friends Riley and Danelle get along!
February 7, 2016
You must understand I am a dissolute old man and I read this book about a young Cassandra changing schools and making new friends in the hostile environment of adult domination and sneaky so called friends from a strictly male viewpoint. I thoroughly enjoyed all the heart ache she went through and I recalled vividly how stupid girls were at school. It is part of a series and I urge Tamara to avoid happy endings, Cassandra deservers all that life throws at her. Girls! Bah!
Should I be getting so involved in this story? Just goes to show it was well written.
Should I be getting so involved in this story? Just goes to show it was well written.
May 18, 2016
Tamara Hart Heiner nails the angst and euphoria of adolescence in this MG read about a ten-year-old transplant to a new town and school. Kids will love that Heiner "writes" in ten-year-old speak, with dialogue that feels real . Parents will appreciate that Cassandra and her friends are smart, normal kids, testing boundaries, needing some independence, and aware of the opposite sex, but Heiner's cast is still innocent and they generally like their families. There are lots of good themes here, about loyalty, friendship, disappointment, and yes, some adults are kind of jerky. But through it all, Cassandra hangs on, deals with what life throws at her, and offers a hand to others along the way. Great family read!
October 28, 2018
The Extraordinarily Ordinary Life of Cassandra Jones: Walker Wildcats Year 1: Episode 1: The New Girl (Kindle Edition)
That's quite a mouthful for a title.
This is a story of school going girl Cassandra. Her family moves from Texas to Arcansas. And she goes through a typical new-and-estranged phase.
She makes a couple of friends, too.
The best part of this episode was the small lessons you learn, that apply even to us adults.
For me, as I posted on my blog, I was going through self doubt. This book taught me that because of one mean person, you can't lose on the good, kind, nice friends of yours.
That's quite a mouthful for a title.
This is a story of school going girl Cassandra. Her family moves from Texas to Arcansas. And she goes through a typical new-and-estranged phase.
She makes a couple of friends, too.
The best part of this episode was the small lessons you learn, that apply even to us adults.
For me, as I posted on my blog, I was going through self doubt. This book taught me that because of one mean person, you can't lose on the good, kind, nice friends of yours.
August 17, 2016
Cassandra is going to start fifth grade but first she and her parents move from Texas to Arkansas. She has the normal difficulties in starting over at a new school but before long she has made some friends. She even joins a Girls Club but ends up having trouble with one of the adult leaders.
She also learns about some kind of coldness between two of the girls she knows. Later she has her own problems with a girl and a problem centered around a dog.
The story is sort of in the family of Angela Brazil where a young schoolgirl is the focus of the story. Like Brazil's stories, this one is sort of peaceful, no threats, no violence, no physical fights and sometimes that's just the type of book I look for.
She also learns about some kind of coldness between two of the girls she knows. Later she has her own problems with a girl and a problem centered around a dog.
The story is sort of in the family of Angela Brazil where a young schoolgirl is the focus of the story. Like Brazil's stories, this one is sort of peaceful, no threats, no violence, no physical fights and sometimes that's just the type of book I look for.
November 6, 2016
A Great Story!
I began reading this book, not knowing what to expect. I really got into it. Cassandra Jones is an interesting kid. She deals with all the things that normal kids do. The author expounds on these incidents very well, telling--in Cassandra’s words--how she feels as she works through different issues, how she relates to her friends, and, her not-so-friendly peers, and, how adults can pose more of a problem than kids. Being a grown woman, I didn’t realize that this story is for a much younger audience; however, that didn’t affect my interest. I think it’s a great book for any age, really.
I began reading this book, not knowing what to expect. I really got into it. Cassandra Jones is an interesting kid. She deals with all the things that normal kids do. The author expounds on these incidents very well, telling--in Cassandra’s words--how she feels as she works through different issues, how she relates to her friends, and, her not-so-friendly peers, and, how adults can pose more of a problem than kids. Being a grown woman, I didn’t realize that this story is for a much younger audience; however, that didn’t affect my interest. I think it’s a great book for any age, really.
September 25, 2020
Childhood is certainly captured in this story, which I appreciated. Sometimes we make kids sound a little too adult in children's stories. I think a lot of girls can relate to Cassandra and her transition to a new school, meeting adults she struggles with at school, and the conflict of making friends. I realize the book is in "episode" form, which I have never experienced before so most conflicts in the story do not really get resolved. Hardly anything gets resolved and I wish a few more pieces of the story could have at least been explained/resolved better. Though the reader can grow curious enough to look into the other books.
July 6, 2017
Its quite interesting
I like the way Cassidy is working out to the daily life problems which we will have gone through..
I am liking it
I like the way Cassidy is working out to the daily life problems which we will have gone through..
I am liking it
March 12, 2016
CASSIE AND THE NEW GIRL, RILEY ISABELLA
An interesting short read for children, and it actually catches their world; friendship, love for pets, jealousy-fights and funny pranks. When Cassandra Jones or Cassie from Texas finished from the elementary school, because the father was transfered to a new city, her mother enrolled her, (and her brother, Scot and sister, Emily) in a new school. She met a strange blonde girl, a grade mate and later her best friend, Riley Isabella who also like pets and driving her little car like she love to too. She and cassie fought a lot over pet and being best of friend inspite of the fact that cassie (Cassandra jones) love making friends and doting on her dog, Adrianne. She decided to start a new club, and she realized it was going tobe harder than she thought. She tried to hold it together as she and her friends manipulated their patient and supporting parents. The group including Margaret, and Danielle played with pets and made dolls.The world of Cassie in the Seven Chapters; her club, school friends, siblings and her fights for abest friend with Riley Isabella (over her pets, a cat (blue,) and the dogs itchy and pioneer) was worth reading. Funny, entertaining, well plotted(to me)and a very good read ( and others in the series) to occupy the children.
An interesting short read for children, and it actually catches their world; friendship, love for pets, jealousy-fights and funny pranks. When Cassandra Jones or Cassie from Texas finished from the elementary school, because the father was transfered to a new city, her mother enrolled her, (and her brother, Scot and sister, Emily) in a new school. She met a strange blonde girl, a grade mate and later her best friend, Riley Isabella who also like pets and driving her little car like she love to too. She and cassie fought a lot over pet and being best of friend inspite of the fact that cassie (Cassandra jones) love making friends and doting on her dog, Adrianne. She decided to start a new club, and she realized it was going tobe harder than she thought. She tried to hold it together as she and her friends manipulated their patient and supporting parents. The group including Margaret, and Danielle played with pets and made dolls.The world of Cassie in the Seven Chapters; her club, school friends, siblings and her fights for abest friend with Riley Isabella (over her pets, a cat (blue,) and the dogs itchy and pioneer) was worth reading. Funny, entertaining, well plotted(to me)and a very good read ( and others in the series) to occupy the children.
February 26, 2016
Heiner aptly shows us the world through the eyes of 10-year-old Cassandra. She may not see things as an adult would, but we can understand her concerns as we place ourselves in her spot. This is Cassie's first year in school in Arkansas, having left behind her friends in Texas. Will the new kids be nice? Will they like her? Will she find a best friend?
Her experience is familiar to most of us. And that is refreshing. No dysfunctional family, no dysfunctional school, no bullies. Nevertheless she experiences the ordinary conflicts--such as misunderstandings and lose of direction.
I enjoyed this simple tale, which brought to my remembrance the country school I attended as a child. I felt, though, that the author included too many names. She mentioned Cassandra's youngest sister without proper introduction--the name just popped up. And as we're reading along, suddenly we run off a cliff. Where did the rest of the book go? Well, it continues in another book, but I feel the ending was not really an ending, so I was surprised and jarred.
Here is a gentle but meaningful story for children to enjoy. In addition, it offers insights that adults and children can share.
Her experience is familiar to most of us. And that is refreshing. No dysfunctional family, no dysfunctional school, no bullies. Nevertheless she experiences the ordinary conflicts--such as misunderstandings and lose of direction.
I enjoyed this simple tale, which brought to my remembrance the country school I attended as a child. I felt, though, that the author included too many names. She mentioned Cassandra's youngest sister without proper introduction--the name just popped up. And as we're reading along, suddenly we run off a cliff. Where did the rest of the book go? Well, it continues in another book, but I feel the ending was not really an ending, so I was surprised and jarred.
Here is a gentle but meaningful story for children to enjoy. In addition, it offers insights that adults and children can share.
December 16, 2016
Cute book for young ones.
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, but it was cute. It DID remind me of being the kid in a new school that lived so far out. Fortunately for me, there were two other kids who lived further than me so I wasn't the LAST one on the bus. I remember being sooo thankful for that! And we moved from upstate NY to Florida, so I got picked on about my accent all the time, but it only took first grade for me to get a little Southern drawl going on.
The way Jaiden's mom lit into Cassie during their altercation in the bathroom was shocking! I wouldn't want anyone like that coming at my kid, but maybe Jaidin's mom has issues of her own & forgiveness is necessary. Cassie handled it pretty well. Sometimes you have to pick your battles.
It was a great book for a young audience about working through transitions in their life. Making decisions about how to deal with being the new kid and that if a positive approach is used, the experience can be much more gratifying. That is an impressive message for children as well as adults!
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, but it was cute. It DID remind me of being the kid in a new school that lived so far out. Fortunately for me, there were two other kids who lived further than me so I wasn't the LAST one on the bus. I remember being sooo thankful for that! And we moved from upstate NY to Florida, so I got picked on about my accent all the time, but it only took first grade for me to get a little Southern drawl going on.
The way Jaiden's mom lit into Cassie during their altercation in the bathroom was shocking! I wouldn't want anyone like that coming at my kid, but maybe Jaidin's mom has issues of her own & forgiveness is necessary. Cassie handled it pretty well. Sometimes you have to pick your battles.
It was a great book for a young audience about working through transitions in their life. Making decisions about how to deal with being the new kid and that if a positive approach is used, the experience can be much more gratifying. That is an impressive message for children as well as adults!
May 30, 2015
While I am an adult, I still enjoyed reading this book. The main character is an elementary aged girl coming to a new school, and as one can expect, she has a lot to deal with. From making new friends, to dealing with new grown ups, some of them really great, others of them, well, not so much. And of course there are other highs and lows that she has to deal with through the course of the year that many young kids can relate to. I think that elementary aged readers will find that they have a lot in common with Cassandra.
January 18, 2017
This is a new to me author and I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book. Cassie’s the new kid in school which most of us can relate to. I did love how Cassie handled herself. Sometimes you have to think which battle you want to take on and Jaiden’s mom was one she shrug offed and handled the right way.
A cute story that all kids can relate to even adults. The author does a great job with the characters easy for a reader to enjoy and the setting was great. You feel like you are there with Cassie and her friends.
A cute story that all kids can relate to even adults. The author does a great job with the characters easy for a reader to enjoy and the setting was great. You feel like you are there with Cassie and her friends.
March 11, 2016
Cute
This was a cute story it was very short but it was cute. If you're looking for a funny short story and that is cute this the book for you. That is why this review is so short because there isn't really anything to say about it except for it was short and cute.
This was a cute story it was very short but it was cute. If you're looking for a funny short story and that is cute this the book for you. That is why this review is so short because there isn't really anything to say about it except for it was short and cute.
March 4, 2016
Nice children's story. It would be easy for a grade schooler to relate to.
September 6, 2016
Great book - I love it. Can't wait to Read the next one
October 8, 2017
Alright
It was alright. I nee d it to be better. I must picked it because it was almost free. That should explain a lot!!! But I would recommend it...
It was alright. I nee d it to be better. I must picked it because it was almost free. That should explain a lot!!! But I would recommend it...
March 25, 2018
Good book
It's a very good book to read in bed and it will make you sleepy enjoy the book xxx x
It's a very good book to read in bed and it will make you sleepy enjoy the book xxx x
August 15, 2025
I like the title of the book and there were some potentially interesting plot points, but the story seemed like a bunch of random things that happen to ten-year-old, Cassie. Story threads began to develop and then were dropped. The story starts out interestingly enough when Cassie and her family are moving from Texas to Arkansas following the last day of school. Trying to make friends, especially in a new school, is an important lesson for children, as it helps them feel safe and secure. Cassie initially struggles to find a pal, but eventually is befriended by Danielle, a classmate.
On of the odder parts of the story was when Cassie decides to join the Girls Club, an after school group run by two mothers. The leader is nice to Cassie, but her assistant is mean for reasons that never become clear. Cassie is so frightened by the assistant's outbursts that she wants to drop out of the group. She eventually speaks to the school counselor about the incident, but the author never goes back to this plot point, which would have been interesting.
The second half of the book was particularly disjointed. Nothing seemed connected. Cassie spends the night at a classmate's house and then decides she wants to take one of the family's three dogs home. That seemed particularly farfetched for a ten-year-old girl not to understand that this wasn't appropriate. There were also some glaring editing errors and inconsistent character names. This is the first in an eight-book series, but I'm afraid I can't recommend it.
On of the odder parts of the story was when Cassie decides to join the Girls Club, an after school group run by two mothers. The leader is nice to Cassie, but her assistant is mean for reasons that never become clear. Cassie is so frightened by the assistant's outbursts that she wants to drop out of the group. She eventually speaks to the school counselor about the incident, but the author never goes back to this plot point, which would have been interesting.
The second half of the book was particularly disjointed. Nothing seemed connected. Cassie spends the night at a classmate's house and then decides she wants to take one of the family's three dogs home. That seemed particularly farfetched for a ten-year-old girl not to understand that this wasn't appropriate. There were also some glaring editing errors and inconsistent character names. This is the first in an eight-book series, but I'm afraid I can't recommend it.
March 24, 2019
Best Friends
In which Cassandra is the new girl. I know what it is like to be the new kid in school--as a 4th grader I was introduced as "our new little girl from Germany," which had been Dad's last military duty station. Moving from Texas to rural Arkansas was probably just as daunting for Cassie, and the experiences related rang very true to my memories of trying to fit it in and being baffled by new and different things others took utterly for granted.
In which Cassandra is the new girl. I know what it is like to be the new kid in school--as a 4th grader I was introduced as "our new little girl from Germany," which had been Dad's last military duty station. Moving from Texas to rural Arkansas was probably just as daunting for Cassie, and the experiences related rang very true to my memories of trying to fit it in and being baffled by new and different things others took utterly for granted.
August 7, 2021
Cassie Jones is just an ordinary girl with nothing extraordinary about her. She enters jr. high with doubts and insecurities. First, jealousy kicks in when her best friend’s old friend comes back into town. Then it goes on to her soccer camp and meeting her other bunk mates, which slowed down the story dramatically. Suddenly it becomes all about the camp.
An okay YA read, but not that great to me.
An okay YA read, but not that great to me.
March 10, 2018
Best book I have ever read! Were can I find mor of your books!
Best book I have ever read! Were can I find more of your book's!💜💞👍👌
Consenter this to Lee Montgomery. By the way I'm Serenity Montgomery!
☺😊😀😁😂😃😄😅😆😇😜😍
Best book I have ever read! Were can I find more of your book's!💜💞👍👌
Consenter this to Lee Montgomery. By the way I'm Serenity Montgomery!
☺😊😀😁😂😃😄😅😆😇😜😍
April 14, 2018
Great story. Dive in and learn how the new girl feels in your school: scared and uncertain., wanting to fit in. Danielle is delight in that regard. Perhaps you can be like Danielle.
This is my honest review.
This is my honest review.
January 19, 2019
It was good,but I didn't like the pictures,and the punctuation was horrible.
I liked the book,but the punctuation and pictures were horrible!
I would recommend this book to my sister Brittany.She♥ books .
I liked the book,but the punctuation and pictures were horrible!
I would recommend this book to my sister Brittany.She♥ books .
April 19, 2020
Cassandra is new to her school, and she makes some great new friends! The only problem? She can't find time to be with both of them. Oh, and they don't really know each other. But Cassandra Jones has a plan to fix that!
September 25, 2017
A good story for teens.
February 5, 2018
Cute book
This is really a cute book for kids. I would recommend fifth graders to read this book it’s entertaining. 5 stars.
This is really a cute book for kids. I would recommend fifth graders to read this book it’s entertaining. 5 stars.
February 18, 2018
Why
I really liked this book
Why was Riley so daft
Why was Trisha an idiot
Keep up the good work
I really liked this book
Why was Riley so daft
Why was Trisha an idiot
Keep up the good work
May 10, 2018
Awesome 5 stars
Awesome book i like how you made it feel like your in the book good job Tamara
Hart Heiner .
Awesome book i like how you made it feel like your in the book good job Tamara
Hart Heiner .
December 23, 2018
Pretty good
Good, but too short and not very interesting. Kind of boring too. Other than that good, but also VERY dramatic. All in all, ok
Good, but too short and not very interesting. Kind of boring too. Other than that good, but also VERY dramatic. All in all, ok
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews