Second Grade Holdout

First Grade Dropout #2

by Audrey Vernick, Matthew Cordell (Illustrator)

Second grade? Pffff!
No, thanks.
First grade had its problems, but overall, it was pretty awesome.
But second grade?
All kinds of scary things happen there.
Or do they?

Find out in this laugh-out-loud-funny story of a boy who must find a way to face not just growing up but moving up.

Genres: Picture Books, School, Humor, Childrens, Back To School, Realistic Fiction, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published July 4, 2017

About the author

Audrey Vernick is the author of books for young readers.

Forthcoming titles:

When I Redraw the World, illustrated by Heather Fox

Homesick, written with Liz Garton Scanlon, illustrated by Daniel Miyares


www.audreyvernick.com

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

The young narrator from author Audrey Vernick and illustrator Matthew Cordell's First Grade Dropout returns in this follow-up adventure, this time confronting the somewhat intimidating experience of entering the second grade. Convinced by his best friend Tyler's older sisters that his new teacher is strict and demanding, he tries to think of ways to remain in the first grade for another year. It is only when the older girls begin trying to scare Tyler, that the narrator realizes what is going on...

Like its predecessor, which explored the sometimes outsized embarrassment that young children can feel when they make a social faux pas, Second Grade Holdout highlights another emotional hurdle that schoolchildren can face. Namely, feeling intimidated by change, and wishing for things to stay the same. Vernick handles her story well, presenting a believable and endearing young protagonist, while Cordell's artwork, done in pen and ink with watercolor, is every bit as humorous and entertaining as in the previous title. Recommended to anyone who read and enjoyed First Grade Dropout , as well as to anyone looking for children's stories that address fears about changing grades and growing up.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

What kids hasn't struggled with the idea of change. Sometimes it feels exciting, other times scary. Vernick has hit it out of the park with this amusing account of a young boy's reluctance to move on to second grade. He doesn't want to let go of the familiar, plus his best friend is in a different class. And when his best friend's sisters tell him horrible things about his new teacher, he is determined that second grade isn't for him. But, if there is one thing that is certain about life it's that change comes. And when the boy discovers that he's been had, he realizes that maybe second grade won't be quite so bad.

This would be a great book to share with students moving from 1st to 2nd grade. Especially kids who are a bit scared of it. The discussions that could be had about the challenges of facing change also make this a real keeper.

[Steve Holden · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a second grade teacher, a new book with the grade in the title and a focus of the story is automatically a score! This one focuses on the anxieties associated with any transition, but this one focuses on the one from first to second grade. Older siblings give younger students a scare when telling them fibs of their second grade teacher to be. They eventually work themselves through the issues, and realize they have a lot to look forward to. I work at a great school with wonderful educators all around at every grade level - the transitions are initially tough for students, and that says a lot about the great teachers we have at each level. Once they discover their teacher for the current year, most students realize they're in for a wonderful year! I feel this is very relatable and a good read for the first few days that are quickly approaching for us!

[Mary Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I wish everything could just stay the way it was." Yep, so many of my students know just how this feels. Great twist at the end, as the two kids realize their big sisters are trying to fool them all along.

[Jonathan Cavazos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this to my second graders tomorrow. I hope they enjoy it.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute picture book about the fears that can come up with change, especially when you're a kid. A boy who had a really good First Grade year has been told all of the things that will be different in Second Grade, and some of them are terrifying. Some older kids make it worse, with their horror stories about his new teacher. So, he decides to simply stay in First Grade. Sure, what could go wrong?
Rather than a story about forcing him to move on, it's about his growing realizations about his fears, and that's what makes it such a good story...well, there's also the art, which has some outstanding moments. My favorites include the image of the reverse-order presidents with the vocabulary words, and the fact that his imagination apparently knows how to speak Russian well enough to talk about speaking Russian...not everyone's does, I'm pretty sure.
Highly recommended for kids moving up a grade or to a new school, because of the friendly resolution to his fears.

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and will buy it for my seven year old granddaughter. This child wants what most children want . . .to be in the same class as his best friend when he moves to second grade. But they find they have different teachers. His friend's older sisters can really mess with the boys when they tell them what their new teachers will be like. But what if your first grade teacher really "gets" you and you don't want to go on? Great premise for a boy to explore ideas as he decides what to do.
The ending is worth the read.

[Jana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a terrific follow up to First Grade Dropout and a great picture book to share with young readers (especially second graders) during the first few days of school. The little boy in the story is dreading the start of second grade. Things were just fine in first grade and he's not ready for the big changes that he's certain will come with the next grade level. This could be a great conversation starter about goals and expectations for the new school year. It could also be a great springboard for writing!

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 2 out of 5]

An unnamed boy is nervous about entering 2nd grade. He and his best friend had a blast in first grade. He's hearing horrible things about the 2nd grade teacher and he can't change into his best friends class. He doesn't care about all the new things he'll learn in 2nd grade. He'll be the best at everything if he stays in first!

A good story for those kids nervous to begin school. However some of the text is confusing b/c it isn't complete sentences.

[Dina · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was excited to find this follow-up book to First Grade Dropout at my public library; however, as much as I loved the First Grade Dropout this was not the case for Second Grade Holdout. I like the concept of the book, but some of the ideas that Tyler's sister said about second grade was learning the presidents backwards and forwards, spell discombobulated, and have speak Russian perfectly before Thanksgiving. Overall, I thought this book was ok.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a delightful story for the beginning of the school year as students are adjusting to a new teacher, new friends, new routines and plenty of anxiety. The fear of the unknown or what they've "heard" is often worse than reality. I'm looking forward to sharing it with my second graders soon.

[Juliana Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's no reason to go to second grade, after all first grade was the best. Second grade will be horrible according to Tyler's older sisters, especially since Tyler will be in a different class this year. But these two friends quickly realize that Tyler's sisters are teasing them and they know they'll have a great year even though they're not together.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very witty tale of a boy who is unsure about second grade. He's heard the rumors. He's not going to be in the same class as his friend. Maybe he should stay in first grade. I loved that his parents said,"Not. Gonna. Happen." Funny illustrations too. Perfect for back to school time!

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great follow up to First Grade Dropout. Now our students are dealing with new concerns as they advance to second grade - homework, variety of learning subjects, not in the same class as my friend, etc.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had forgotten about "First Grade Holdout" until I read this entertaining follow up! First grade is tough - until you get to second grade! Then it looks easy, especially when second-grade fears are fueled by mean older sisters!

[Quintina · Rating 4 out of 5]

First grade was tough but awesome. Second grade sounds down right terrifying. What kind of scary things go down there? Readers will find out in the humorous tale of transitioning to a new grade level.

[Haley Muench · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book, it is the second book to first grade dropout. But in this book the main character is afraid of change and doesn’t want to go to second grade. In the end him and his best friend come to the conclusion everything is going to be fine!

[MaryLibrarianOH · Rating 3 out of 5]

The dreaded not in the same class as your best friend tale.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Relatable anxiety over moving on to something new and unknown.

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story that does a nice job with an issue lots of kids will recognize!

[Brianna Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this would be a good book to read on the first day of school because it deals with kids who are scared to move on to the next grade or something new.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun and funny sequel to First Grade Dropout.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A perfect end-of-the-year read aloud for first graders. (or beginning-of-the-year second graders.)

[Turrean · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute end-of-year book to share with first graders.

[Paula Hollohan · Rating 4 out of 5]

For all those reluctant students in your class. K-3 (especially grade 2)

[Steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

LOVE the first grade version, and this one was okay.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book for a child who is reluctant to move from one grade up to the next in school.

[Michele Knott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun book in the series!

[Bethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute sequel to first grade story

[Eme87 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute read aloud for kids going from 1st to 2nd grade, especially if they are nervous about the changes.