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Questioneers Chapter Books #4
Sofia Valdez and the Vanishing Vote
New York Times bestselling series! Now a Netflix Series! From the #1 New York Times bestselling team Andrea Beaty and David Roberts who createdAda Twist, Scientist and Iggy Peck, Architect comes a spirited story full of adventure, friendship, and science! This is a unique and exciting series of children’s chapter books for children, parents, and teachers who want to make STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) fun. Miss Lila Greer announces it’s time for Grade Two to get a class pet, and she wants the kids to participate in choosing which one. After all, they will all have to share the responsibility of caring for it. The class narrows it down to two Team Turtle and Team Bird. Sofia is named Election Commissioner, in charge of overseeing a fair and honest election between the two teams. There’s a class-wide campaign, complete with posters, articles, and speeches. Then it’s time for the election! But when the votes are counted, there’s a tie, and one vote is missing. How will the class break the tie? And what happened to the vanishing vote? It’s up to Sofia Valdez and the Questioneers to restore democracy! Collect the Whole Revere and the Raucous The Questioneers Book #1Ada Twist and the Perilous The Questioneers Book #2Iggy Peck and the Mysterious The Questioneers Book #3Sofia Valdez and the Vanishing The Questioneers Book #4Ada Twist and the Disappearing The Questioneers Book #5Aaron Slater and the Sneaky The Questioneers Book #6
162 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 6, 2020
51 people are currently reading
267 people want to read
About the author
Andrea Beaty
75 books606 followersFor more information, visit my website (www.AndreaBeaty.com).
Also, visit www.Questioneers.com for posters, activities, educator resources, and other information about the Questioneer books.
Further, check out Story Time From Space to see Ada Twist and Rosie Revere read at the International Space Station by astronauts! It’s out of this world.
https://storytimefromspace.com/ada-tw...
Also, visit www.Questioneers.com for posters, activities, educator resources, and other information about the Questioneer books.
Further, check out Story Time From Space to see Ada Twist and Rosie Revere read at the International Space Station by astronauts! It’s out of this world.
https://storytimefromspace.com/ada-tw...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
August 21, 2022
Great story, informative backmatter, although 6yo has decided she no longer wants to run for president, instead she plans to "save nature."
March 7, 2023
I thought the chapter book was great! It brings the charm of The Questioneers and practical information about the Democratic process as Sofia Valdez serves as election commissioner in the vote for class pet. My 5yo gave it 4 stars because she wanted more turtle pictures- hah!
November 29, 2020
For this series, surprisingly good! Deals with the topics of political polarization, labor rights, information literacy and building a community all in a zippy package. I'm, frankly, impressed.
Also, the librarian who tells everyone cheesy jokes is my new spirit animal.
Also, the librarian who tells everyone cheesy jokes is my new spirit animal.
February 7, 2021
What a great book to read to kids! Read this to my daughter.
Read
November 29, 2020Sofia Valdez's second grade class gets to choose a class pet! They will hold an election, and Sofia gets to serve as Election Commissioner. She needs to make sure that she doesn't show any bias towards either of the final two candidates--Bird and Turtle--especially since her two best friends are campaigning against each other! Sofia makes sure the election is fair in every way, but when she counts the final votes, one vote is missing! Who could have stolen the vote? How will her class break the tie?
Another cute addition to The Questioneers chapter book series. This particular title was a fun look at elections and the importance of voting, though the teacher's confusion was strange. After a while, I had to assume that she was faking her confusion to create a learning experience for her students, but that isn't the way the story sells it? (She genuinely seems to think that if the class voted for a giant squid as a pet, they would get one? And she doesn't think to set parameters on the type of pet until after the first round of voting has taken place?) Overall, however, this is a cute, fun read, especially before an elementary school class votes on their own class pet or student council representative.
Another cute addition to The Questioneers chapter book series. This particular title was a fun look at elections and the importance of voting, though the teacher's confusion was strange. After a while, I had to assume that she was faking her confusion to create a learning experience for her students, but that isn't the way the story sells it? (She genuinely seems to think that if the class voted for a giant squid as a pet, they would get one? And she doesn't think to set parameters on the type of pet until after the first round of voting has taken place?) Overall, however, this is a cute, fun read, especially before an elementary school class votes on their own class pet or student council representative.
March 10, 2021
An early chapter book about a second grade class's election to choose the class pet has many short chapters that make it easy for kids to grow their reading chops with. The class has a tiny size (17 students!) and the teacher is endearingly clueless. Or extreme clever, I mean. The class doesn't seem to spend time of Reading or Math, but instead the teacher suddenly decides to have a class pet and they spend the whole day designing an election and the next few weeks implementing it.
I liked the complexity of the cousin's need to find a home for her pet bird, and the public librarians who are ready to drop anything to help, and how the second grader finds books on elections to see how to handle ties. The end has some education material on things from the Grape boycott to presidential elections and the importance of journalism and the dangers of fake news and lying politicians. Read! Question! Think!
Good luck with that.
I think this is a series based on some of the kids in the class -- Iggy seems to be an engineer, and Sofia here is the budding politician.
I liked the complexity of the cousin's need to find a home for her pet bird, and the public librarians who are ready to drop anything to help, and how the second grader finds books on elections to see how to handle ties. The end has some education material on things from the Grape boycott to presidential elections and the importance of journalism and the dangers of fake news and lying politicians. Read! Question! Think!
Good luck with that.
I think this is a series based on some of the kids in the class -- Iggy seems to be an engineer, and Sofia here is the budding politician.
July 9, 2021
Summary from the book:
Sofia Valdez always wants to make things better in her community, whether it's campaigning to build a new park or teaching her classmates about the government. Miss Lila Greer could really use Sofia's help, because it's time for Grade Two to choose a class pet!
The class narrows the field to two candidates - Bird and Turtle - and runs a campaign. Finally, an election is held. But when the votes are counted, there's a tie... and one vote is missing! What happened to the vanishing vote? And how will the class break the tie? It's up to Sofia and the Questioneers to restore democracy and save their class election!
I love that this story has inclusivity, with Sofia's cousin in a wheelchair, and how every step of the way towards the end of the election is explained in simple terms. It's a lovely series that should be on your to-read lists if you love books by Andrea Beaty.
Sofia Valdez always wants to make things better in her community, whether it's campaigning to build a new park or teaching her classmates about the government. Miss Lila Greer could really use Sofia's help, because it's time for Grade Two to choose a class pet!
The class narrows the field to two candidates - Bird and Turtle - and runs a campaign. Finally, an election is held. But when the votes are counted, there's a tie... and one vote is missing! What happened to the vanishing vote? And how will the class break the tie? It's up to Sofia and the Questioneers to restore democracy and save their class election!
I love that this story has inclusivity, with Sofia's cousin in a wheelchair, and how every step of the way towards the end of the election is explained in simple terms. It's a lovely series that should be on your to-read lists if you love books by Andrea Beaty.
February 29, 2024
The most realistic of the books so far, which was nice, this managed to get a lot of civics information into a kids' book, including the importance of voting.
My biggest gripe is I don't love how it framed getting a pet as a decision with impacts for only a few months. The teacher purposely stayed out of the decision, saying it was the kids', though it will be her pet for years (if not decades, given that the choice came down to turtle or bird). I also didn't love that a criteria was that it not be loud but a bird made the cut. Perhaps I know too much about animal rescue, but a lot of birds are given up because people don't realize how messy, loud, and needy they are, nor how long they live; they think they're a simple pet who just needs a small cage like this book presents. I understand it was a plot device, and do love the way the election was done, but I wish it had been presented better to minimize unintended side effects.
A5R5K5
My biggest gripe is I don't love how it framed getting a pet as a decision with impacts for only a few months. The teacher purposely stayed out of the decision, saying it was the kids', though it will be her pet for years (if not decades, given that the choice came down to turtle or bird). I also didn't love that a criteria was that it not be loud but a bird made the cut. Perhaps I know too much about animal rescue, but a lot of birds are given up because people don't realize how messy, loud, and needy they are, nor how long they live; they think they're a simple pet who just needs a small cage like this book presents. I understand it was a plot device, and do love the way the election was done, but I wish it had been presented better to minimize unintended side effects.
A5R5K5
October 30, 2020
My daughter (age 7) and I have been reading The Questioneers chapter book series together and we love them. We just finished Sofia Valdez and it was fun and timely for election season. Discusses fair elections, the importance of facts and unbiased journalism, and the reasons why your one vote matters. All within a sweet story with cute illustrations and diverse characters. Highly recommend for kids grades 2 through 4, and grown-ups, too.
February 7, 2023
We've been big fans of Ms. Greer's classroom characters, but only ever read the picture books until we spotted this little beauty at the library. Definitely a change in tone and style, but inspiring the same critical thinking in readers. My kids and I enjoyed reading this one together and had lots of great convos. Will probably revisit when they're a bit older: they were definitely interested in the classroom pet storyline but the election comparisons absolutely went over their head.
October 25, 2020
Another brilliant book from the Questioneers. I loved that this one dealt with the importance of voting through something as simple as a class pet. You can’t beat these books for introducing kids to big ideas in ways which are accessible to them! Sofia is a gorgeous main character and I love how much she cares. Gorgeously illustrated throughout too!
November 10, 2020
This would be a wonderful resource for both parents and teachers to help children understand the importance of elections and voting, along with how to determine what makes media sources factual and what makes media sources bias. All in all, a great story with good plot and amazing details/information. It will definitely become a staple resource within my classroom!
November 13, 2020
This was great! My favorite of the series so far. It was still quirky but much more realistic. I love how it really showed the election process and the importance of voting. I also love how the library is highlighted (“there is always help at the library”). I ALSO love Sophia’s grandpa and their relationship. So much to love!!!
March 24, 2021
Fourth in the series. Completes the chapter books for the current Questioneers. Sofia steps forward in this book to run a class election to choose a pet. Readers see how an election runs - the good and the challenging. In the end, they do choose a class pet following a tie vote. Beaty includes informative text at the end for readers who want to know more.
April 14, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. I appreciate the diversity within the Questioneers series. This book delivers an engaging story with also teaching children about social studies, in particular, elections. The section at the end provides students with more information about the topic. Perfect for 1-3rd grade students.
February 26, 2021
I don't typically review books I read with my kids, but I think this one is definitely worthwhile. It's such a simple, cute story for kids to hear about the election process, voting, the press, and what happens if/when people don't vote. I especially like the End Notes that provide nonfiction information. Definitely a must read!
July 16, 2021
Fourth book in the Questioners series. Talks about the voting process. Sofia learns the idea of being neutral when there is a tie vote. She is the overseer and does not want to influence anyone. Great introduction to democracy. Would be paired well with Frindle.
August 30, 2021
A cute little story about classroom pets that ties in the election process--from campaigning to voting to what happens when an outcome is in question. Not my cup of tea as far as age-range goes, but definitely something enjoyable for early readers.
September 25, 2021
Another wonderful Questioneers story. Probably my favorite so far. As always the picture books and the chapter books are equally solid, beautifully illustrated, and frankly, totally inspiring. Love love love
March 3, 2022
Love this series!! Read aloud to Penny and Brooks, and they loved it. This one was a little more mature, in that it’s trying to get kids to understand politics. But I LOVED the Sofia struggled and made mistakes and sought for change and found solutions.
March 24, 2022
This is a fun, informative book about a second grade pet election that also references responsible journalism, negative campaigning, community-building, ethical debating, and even the 1965 migrant worker grape boycott. All of this while remaining relatable to kids—the target audience.
May 9, 2022
155 pgs. Great realistic story about how elections work and the responsibilities associated with it, even on a local school level. Kids will enjoy the situation and creative solutions. Extra information on election process and Delano Grape Strike at the end. Highly recommended for Grades 4-5.
February 26, 2023
This was such a cute book about voting for a class pet. The story does a great job of illustrating the electoral process, and I would have loved it as a child. Unfortunately, my kids like books with a little more action, and they passed on this one.
January 26, 2021
Really cute, lots of good information about voting and the process. Though I can't see many early elementary school kids understanding all the references lol fun series!
February 11, 2021
Great, easy-to-understand book for kids about the election/voting process and the necessity of a free press that promotes unbiased facts.
February 16, 2021
What a cute chapter book about the importance of elections geared towards young kids! Loved it!
March 7, 2021
This is another great Questioneers book!
August 21, 2021
Rounded up from 3.5 because I'm quite old for it--see http://www.eatreadandbemommy.com/2021... for details.
August 23, 2021
I read this out loud to my 6.5 year old. It taught her not only how voting works but how important it is to vote, even though you can still choose not to.
September 7, 2021
Entertaining and informative.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews