Ghosts Do Splash in Puddles

The Bailey School Kids Jr. Chapter Books #1

by Marcia Thornton Jones, Debbie Dadey, Joëlle Dreidemy (Illustrator)

Meet the Bailey School Liza, Howie, Eddie, and Melody! Who knows what weird thing is going to happen to them next... Gurgle. Splat. Gurgle. Splat. Is something wrong with the plumbing or is there really a puddle ghost in the school bathroom?

Genres: Childrens, Juvenile

64 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Marcia Thornton Jones has published 131 books for children with sales totaling more than 43 million copies world-wide. Her works include CHAMP (mid-grade novel), RATFINK (mid-grade novel), GODZILLA ATE MY HOMEWORK (chapter book), THE TALE OF JACK FROST (picture book) and LEPRECHAUN ON THE LOOSE (picture book). She is the co-author of seven popular series including The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids, Keyholders, Ghostville Elementary, The Bailey School Kids Jr. Chapter Books, Triplet Trouble, Bailey City Monsters, and The Barkley School for Dogs.

Marcia has been listed as a top 100 author by the Educational Paperback Association and selected for the Children’s Top 100 Books list by the National Education Association, International Reading Associations Children’s Choice Award. Marcia's books have received many honors and have appeared on on the Publisher's Weekly Bestsellers lists,

Marcia, a full time writer living in Lexington, Kentucky enjoys presenting at schools and conferences. As a veteran teacher with more than 20 years of experience, she easily relates the importance of writing to students of all ages.

Reviews

[paige turner ♡ · Rating 1 out of 5]

This one was...okay, I suppose?

I was a little confused about this one, why would they think that the new cafeteria helper would like to make puddles when he went crazy over pretty much any mess that anyone made?

The bathroom scene didn't really make sense, and really nothing else made sense either. These kids just ended up chasing a neat freak away from his obviously messy job.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

After I read this book with my 7 year old son he told me I should give this book a 2.1. When I asked him why he said it was too predictable and not as good as the original series. I would have to agree. The original Bailey School Kids series has more humor and depth to it. This book feels more like a picture book than chapter book to me. There were many sentences that could have just been combined into one sentence. For example, "It splashed on Melody. It splashed on Howie. It splashed on Liza." Hmmm. . . Maybe the author could have just said, "It splashed on everyone." If you do a guided reading level check on the Bailey School Kids Jr. books they are actually at the same guided reading level as the original series. If your kid can read Level M books, I would suggest just reading a couple of the jr. chapter books if your child is in first grade or early 2nd grade and then moving on to the original or just skip the junior level all together. There is a lot of pictures for kids in the junior series which is helpful for kiddos who are transitioning from picture books to chapter books. Older or more advanced 1st and 2nd grade students at this guided reading level might not need so much support so should skip right on over to the original series for some laugh aloud humor and fun.

[Fallon]

no rating. Short and sweet, the art is really cute. I remember reading some of the original Bailey School Kids books but not which ones and this looks like the only one I own so I figured I'd give it a shot real quick to see if it's good enough to read to my niece. She's only 2 so I think I'll wait a couple more years since she doesn't really like sitting still but if you have young kids I think this is a cute Halloween time read for them.

[Victoria Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

As short introductory (junior) chapter books go, I'm not usually a fan. These little books have changed my mind to some degree. Yes, they are pretty predictable. Yes, they are a bit low on plot twists and turns. But, they do hold the kids' attention, and they keep them coming back for more. So if the goal is to get the kids to read and love what they're reading (and possibly fight over who gets the next book in the series...), then goal achieved!

[Mr. Tedrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ellie Alexander

meet the bailey school kids liza,howie,eddy,and melendy. Who knows what weird thing is going to happen to them next... Is something wrong with the plumbing or is there really a puddle ghost in the school bathroom? Its about these kids who think theres a ghost in the school bathroom making puddles.

[Colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute book, suited for the younger kids who are just learning to read. It was a difficult book to find though. You can't buy it in a regular store, I had to get it from amazon.com. I think this book is usually sold through scholastic and you can buy it during the school year when your kids bring home the scholastic pamphlet.

[Melissa Namba · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing is age appropriate, but it isn't as good as the other Bailey School Kids books. The kids are convinced one adult is a ghost. They drive him out by being annoying. Lacks the humor of the older kids books. Maybe not such a great idea to write these if they are trying to hook kids into the series at a younger age.

[Twyla · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite part was when the ghost left.the worst pay was when the kids were in trouble.my favorite character was Lisa.the worst character was shadow.Auryn 9 years old.

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little simplistic but a good kid voice.