Beat the Clock

Amelia Bedelia & Friends #1

by Herman Parish, Lynne Avril (Illustrations)

It’s a piece of cake!

Amelia Bedelia + Good Friends = Super Fun Stories to Read and Share

The first book in a new arc in the New York Times–bestselling Amelia Bedelia chapter book series featuring young Amelia Bedelia and her friends! The big day is finally here—Amelia Bedelia’s school, Oak Tree Elementary, is 100 years old, and the whole town is throwing a party. Best of all, a secret time capsule that has been buried for an entire century will finally be dug up and opened! Amelia Bedelia and her friends have some guesses about what they’ll find. Are they right? Or is everyone in for a big surprise?

A funny chapter book series about friendship perfect for fans of Ivy + Bean and Clementine. The Amelia Bedelia books have sold more than 35 million copies since we first met the iconic character in 1963! Includes “Two Ways to Say It,” Amelia Bedelia’s guide to the idioms used in the story. Illustrated in black and white throughout.

Genres: Chapter Books, Realistic Fiction, Childrens, Audiobook, Juvenile, Humor, School

160 pages, Paperback

Published September 3, 2019

About the author

Herman Parish (born 1953) is the author of Amelia Bedelia children's book series, nephew of original author, Peggy Parish. Having grown up with his aunt’s tales of Amelia’s humorous misadventures, Herman decided to carry on the legacy after his aunt’s death in 1988. He did not wish to entrust the future of the series into the hands of a children’s author outside of the family. Since Peggy had the summers off from teaching, she was able to stay with the Parish family for extended periods of time, allowing Herman and Peggy to develop a close relationship. More importantly, this gave Herman a chance to keenly observe Peggy during her writing processes, gaining great insight to the road ahead of him. To carry on the essence of the series, Herman thoroughly examined his aunt’s work and did his best to capture what exactly made the character of Amelia Bedelia such a hit. Having editor Susan Hirschman and illustrator Lynn Sweat in common with his aunt helped to make the transition. He has added thirteen more books to the series. Herman is a resident of Princeton, New Jersey, and travels to libraries and schools across the United States, speaking and inspiring young children. The importance of revising and editing is often stressed during these dynamic lectures. He has presented to students in more than 22 states.

-Wikipedia

***The photo at left is of Herman with his aunt, Peggy Parish, in 1985.

Reviews

[SheReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed for YA Books Central

Brilliant.

This was the perfect book to read with my five year old niece. It's every bit as adorable as the other Amelia Bedelia books and then some.
Amelia's school is turning a century old and to celebrate, they're unearthing a time capsule. It's a concept kids this age haven't come across yet most likely and led to a great discussion about what a time capsule is and why people would bury them, eventually ending in a talk about what is important enough in our time period to bury for future generations. There is nothing better than a fun, kid-friendly story that pushes them into deeper thinking.
Just like all the books in this series, friendship plays a large role and teaches great lessons at a time when kids are forming true friendships for the first time.

Final Verdict:
A truly great story, written in an engaging style that drives conversation and imagination. I can't wait to read it with my niece for the second time.

[Joanne Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was surprised to find how much I enjoyed the writing in this chapter book version of Amelia Bedelia. While not the first in the series, it was the first I had read. I recommend readers start at the beginning if possible because there are a lot of characters and world-building included in this one. Nevertheless, I thought the way the creators transitioned the classic character to a more modern little girl was clever and entertaining. The storyline was really good and beautifully age-appropriate. I liked that they never said exactly which grade the kids are in. The mystery is laden with clues for young readers and plenty of silliness. Though I did think some of the jokes might be too hard to understand. Also the author breaks a lot of writing rules for this age. For example, by the middle, the book turns out to be an old fashioned series of cute and funny episodes, instead of a plot with rising action and climax. But I still think it will be a favorite with emerging readers. Looking forward to reading and recommending more Amelia Bedelia chapter books.

[Cat · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second Amelia Bedelia chapter book that we have read. This time to dig outside. A fun little book and nice to talk about the idea of 100 years ago. Since we were reading it on Thanksgiving, we looked up thanksgiving from 100 years ago, and looked at pictures of the first giant balloons from 1924.
Ella wants to say - I loved the part where they rushed out and started digging, and the part where they found out that there was a time capsule. I loved it when they found the time capsule.
The stories in these books are nice, and I love emphasis this series is putting on Amelia Bedelia's good relationships with her little group of friends. Her name is so annoying to say out loud all the time though, also there's so many friends I don't have enough distinct voices and accents to make them all sound different.
Nice use of AB's friends, a fairly good one 6/10 

[Margie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first in a new series starring Amelia Bedelia along with her friends. Preparing for the new school year as well as the 100th anniversary of Amelia Bedelia's elementary school requires solving a mystery. There is a time capsule buried somewhere on the grounds of the school but finding it is stumping adults and students alike. The clues are revealed little by little and then Amelia's friend solves the mystery and the time capsule is found, just in time for the big celebration. Elementary readers will enjoy this simple mystery.

[Library Lady Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I sometimes used to feel bad for Amelia Bedelia. She was always getting things wrong and I don't know that people always explained what she had gotten wrong. They just always shook their heads at her. This set of books takes Amelia Bedelia back to when she was in elementary school and she has friends. In particular Joy stood out to me because it seemed Joy understood that sometimes Amelia is too literal and instead of laughing she would explain it again in a different way so Amelia understood. I love this empathetic approach to helping someone who doesn't understand.

[Terisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Was hoping for an alternative to "mean girls" like Ivy and Bean or Judy Moody. Mostly frustrated that it was a missed opportunity to sympathetically portray someone who takes things literally - possibly on the spectrum. Amelia's parents don't adjust their communication style to help Amelia with this at all. Most of the kids are nice but some name-calling like "chicken" which we don't need. All in all a disappointment on several levels. Also VERY white.

[Tenaya Akin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved beat the clock because Amelia Bedelia found something an it lead to digging in her school!
Tenaya age 8

[Noelani · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 3/4 stars

[Mallarie Clement · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book to my mom. I loved every second of it.

[Ellora · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it when they had to find the time capsule. But it's a quick read.
Ellora, age 9

[Colin Altevogt · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son still likes these.

[Chloe (Always Booked) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was about Amelia Bedelia and her friends finding a time capsule at school. Cute and fun. A little older than some of the other amelia books!

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This set of books takes Amelia Bedelia back to when she was in elementary school and she has friends. In particular Joy stood out to me because it seemed Joy understood that sometimes Amelia is too literal and instead of laughing she would explain it again in a different way so Amelia understood. I love this empathetic approach to helping someone who doesn't understand.