The Valentine Star

The Kids of the Polk Street School #6

by Patricia Reilly Giff

February is fun.
It's time for everyone in Ms. Rooney's room to make cards for the Valentine box. Emily Arrow couldn't be happier when Dawn Bosco gives her some colored starsto decorate her cards. She plans to make a special one for Ms. Vincent, the new student teacher.


But things take a turn for the worse when Ms. Rooney asks Emily to be class monitor.Emily feels important sitting at the teacher's desk, until Sherri Dent leaves her seat without Emily's permission. Emily reports her. That's when Sherri tells Emily, "You'll besorry."


Emily is really worried. What will Sherri do to get even?

"From the Trade Paperback edition."

Genres: Childrens, Middle Grade, Holiday, Fiction

Paperback

First published September 1, 1982

About the author

Patricia Reilly Giff was an American author and educator whose warm, emotionally resonant books made her a beloved figure in children's literature. After spending roughly two decades as a teacher, she turned to writing and brought a deep understanding of young readers to stories that balanced humor, resilience, and emotional truth. Educated at Marymount Manhattan College, St. John's University, and Hofstra University, she drew on both her classroom experience and literary instincts to create memorable fiction for children and middle-grade readers. She became especially well known for the popular Polk Street School series, which captured the everyday dramas of school life with charm and empathy. Beyond those books, she wrote acclaimed novels such as Lily's Crossing, Nory Ryan's Song, Pictures of Hollis Woods, Eleven, and Genevieve's War, often exploring themes of belonging, family, hardship, and courage. Her work earned wide recognition, including Newbery Honors, an ALA Best Book for Young Adults designation, and a Christopher Award. Giff also influenced younger writers through her workshops and teaching spirit. Throughout her career, she remained a compassionate literary voice whose stories spoke directly to children's fears, hopes, and imaginations.

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

The pathos! The angst! The conflicting motives and big emotions. These poor little second-graders. They're so bad at predicting and understanding outcomes and they seek approval so hard and they are so, so dumb.

Emily Arrow doesn't want to play with Sherri Dent at recess because she's doing unicorn things, and Emily, distracted, almost goes on the snow pile, but she doesn't, but it kind of looks like she did, so Sherri Dent almost snitches on her, and Emily makes a face, and Sherri almost snitches again. Then we're learning about presidents because it's February and Emily is just yearning to know Abraham Lincoln facts to get approval from Ms. Rooney, and there's a book about Lincoln in the library corner and Emily and Sherri see it at the same time, and Sherri gets up to snatch it before Emily can, and Emily does snitch, and there are so many big feelings of conflict and betrayal.

Emily and Beast dare each other to go outside on their way back from being lunch monitors and a third party snitches. Who were the children who went outside without hats and gloves? The class wonders if the principal is going to call the FBI. Sherri could snitch. Does Sherri know?

It's also Valentine's Day, back before one valentine per classmate was the mandatory amount of Valentines, so Emily is worried that she won't get any Valentines. So is Sherri, the loser.

There's a student teacher, and she's even hotter than the student teacher in the first grade.

So much drama. I did not like second grade. Emily thinks she likes it because she's a kid, but she'll look back and realize that her classmates were inordinately drama-ridden and snarky.

Dawn, as always, has all the cool shit. Back in the '80s, not all items for children were adorable and design-y like they are nowadays. Emily has five star stickers and she thinks she is rich with stickers. Dawn has sheets and sheets of stickers. Dawn has proven herself to be a good person in the Polka-Dot Private Eye series. Emily may be the problem. Second grade is terrible. As least the Polk Street School has small class sizes.

[Jamie Thomason · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found this book in my drawer and although it was more of a children's book, it is something I would have enjoyed in my younger years. Fun story about how little girls act towards each other just to try to impress a teacher. My daughter Dixie loved it so I say pretty good for the younger crowd.

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the book, The Valentine Star, we learn about the fun that goes into Valentine's Day, as well has how to deal with a conflict with a friend. The main character Emily is very excited for Valentine’s Day. Emily got along with everyone in the class, until one day. One day her teacher had to speak to the principal out in the hall, so she put Emily in charge of making sure that everyone continued to do their work, and if they didn’t she was to write their name on the board. Unfortunately, a girl in her class named Sherri didn't stay in her seat and went to get a book out of the library section which was not what they were supposed to be doing. Then Sherri wrote a mean note to Emily which started a feud between the two girls. They would call each other mean names or make mean faces at one another. Eventually, the student teacher in their class picked up on their feud and found a way to bring the two friends back together, which she did using a Valentine.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars -- I get so frustrated with these books. They have so much potential, but instead they are Junie B. Jones meets cruder comments, e.g. Mrs. Miller = Big Fat Stomach. This installment in the series revolves around Valentine's Day and girl drama. (Is there any other kind of drama?) A character who has always been included in the seating chart but has never been part of the plot - Sherri Dent - is the catalyst here. She and Emily provide the drama, but eventually make up with the help of Ms. Vincent, the new student teacher. Happy Valentine's Day!

[KaitandMaddie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The fatphobic comments mean the book hasn’t aged super well.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just finished reading this to my girl and loved all of the memories it brought back! I recall reading this in elementary school and really pondering the impact a shirt with green kittens on the collar could have.

[Melissa Cecchini · Rating 3 out of 5]

I used to love these books as a kid and I am sure I read this as a kid. But after reading it now and after many years I didn't really care for it. I felt a bit bad for the protagonist Emily Arrow and I thought the ending was too abrupt!

[Cws]

H-V-Gif

[Ethan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made me think of Valentine's Day and it made me excited for Valentine's Day!

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sort of dull look at life in a first grade classroom around Valentine's Day. I probably won't read this to my class next year.