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The Magical Ms. Plum
Ms. Plum is the magical teacher every schoolkid wishes for!
Everybody wants to be in Ms. Plum’s class. It’s not just that she teaches the usual things in unusual ways. There’s something more, something about Ms. Plum herself—and her mysterious supply closet. Whenever she asks her students to get her an eraser or a pencil or some paper clips, they come back with something . . . unusual. Who’d have thought a pinky-sized alligator, a big-mouth parrot, or a tiny wolf could teach kids a thing or two about life?
Each year, Ms. Plum is certain she’s had her best class ever. And it looks like this year . . . she’s right!
Relatable behavioral and personality issues are poked gently with empathy and humor in this fun, warmhearted chapter book.
Everybody wants to be in Ms. Plum’s class. It’s not just that she teaches the usual things in unusual ways. There’s something more, something about Ms. Plum herself—and her mysterious supply closet. Whenever she asks her students to get her an eraser or a pencil or some paper clips, they come back with something . . . unusual. Who’d have thought a pinky-sized alligator, a big-mouth parrot, or a tiny wolf could teach kids a thing or two about life?
Each year, Ms. Plum is certain she’s had her best class ever. And it looks like this year . . . she’s right!
Relatable behavioral and personality issues are poked gently with empathy and humor in this fun, warmhearted chapter book.
112 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
36 people are currently reading
576 people want to read
About the author
Bonny Becker
25 books114 followersBonny Becker is the author of a number of award-winning picture books and middle-grade novels. She lives in Seattle.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
December 29, 2009
Oh, magical grown-ups. You never get old. There is a long and strong tradition of grown-ups with extraordinary powers helping (or hindering) their young charges in the annals of children's literature. Your Mrs. Piggle-Wiggles. Your Mary Poppins. Your Ms. Frizzles. Your Younguncles, even. They're usually nannies or caretakers, but once in a while you get a teacher thrown into the mix. When someone described the plot of the early chapter book Magical Ms. Plum to me, though, I raised a skeptical eyebrow. They said, "Three words: Magical. Supply. Closet." Oh ho? Then they said two more words. "Bonny Becker." Ah. Well. That's all right then. Bonny Becker is one of my favorite writers for kids today. Whether it is her delightful Holbrook: A Lizard's Tale or the charming future picture book classic, A Visitor for Bear, this is a woman who has a way with words and always seems to know which ones to use.
Maybe she says it every year and maybe she doesn't but when Ms. Plum says that this new group of third graders will be her best class yet, you are inclined to believe her. As it happens, the kids are excited too. Each year children come out of Ms. Plum's class with secret smiles, and everyone wants to know what the big deal is. As it happens, the answer comes every time a student is asked to get something out of the classroom supply closet. Tashala goes in and comes out with a tiny horse that indirectly teaches her not to be a snob to her classmates. Messy Darma goes in and comes out with a pack of squirrels that are at her beck and call, much to the admiration of her classmates. Only Carlos is never selected to go in, and the fact that Ms. Plum doesn't recognize his superior intelligence eats away at him until he gets the very animal he deserves, but not one he expects. Yes, every year Ms. Plum says that this will be her best class ever. And every year, in a way, it's true.
They're not the usual problems and solutions, these little stories. Some are predictable, that's true. There's the pessimist, the kid who doesn't speak English well, and the interrupter. But the story of Emiko, a girl who sees everything through rose-colored glasses, is a little more out of the ordinary. Hers is not a huge problem, after all, but it can be dangerous to only see the good side of things, rather than their potential dangers. It's a complicated lesson for kids, but Becker deals deftly with it. There's also a very interesting chapter where Ms. Plum gets something out of the supply closet herself, and finds herself saddled with an attention-seeking peacock. It's an interesting choice on Becker's part. A kind of acknowledgment to the child readers that sometimes even adults have ways in which they could improve. That's my interpretation of the chapter, anyway. I suspect that if you read it to kids they might come up with some entirely different reasons for why Ms. Plum got a peacock. Whatever the case, I liked it too because you almost never get to see Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle or Ms. Frizzle show any weaknesses in their own stories. Becker has created a very modern and complex look at an old, once simple theme.
It's a small thing, but one plot element I like about this book is that Ms. Plum's class is of third graders. Sometimes I feel like third graders get short shrift in literature while the fourth graders hog all the glory. After all, it's called Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing not Tales of a Third Grade Nothing. It's Fourth Grade Rats not Third Grade Rats. So when it became clear that Ms. Plum specializes in third graders, I was instantly intrigued. At last! Something for them.
There's not much to find fault with here, but I admit that I was a little shocked at how abruptly Magical Ms. Plum ended. One minutes we're hearing about Nadia and the little cat that purrs away her worries, and then suddenly the text is italicized and we're getting half a page of conclusion to the entire book. Maybe it wouldn't have felt quite so out of the blue if the Nadia storyline had wrapped up all the others, but really it didn't have much to do with them. The Carlos storyline would have made more sense, really. Then again, Ms. Plum says at the end of the Carlos story that "There's always another chance at the closet for everyone," and while he never seems to get that chance, you certainly couldn't make this the final story with that sentence in it. Tis a puzzlement.
Now let's talk about Amy Portnoy for a moment. You can certainly write an early chapter book like this one without including any pictures, but I wouldn't advise it. From what I have been able to determine, this is Ms. Portnoy's first children's book, though you'd never know it to look at it. The artist makes use of a loose pen-and-ink style that complements the story very well indeed. To that end, her work is not too dissimilar from that of Ms. Becker's previous chapter book collaborator Abby Carter. Maybe Ms. Becker's books just lend themselves to thin pen-and-inks. Dunno.
Teachers are often looking for good books to read aloud in class. Sure, you could read Stuart Little for the tenth straight year in a row, but wouldn't your third graders like something new as well? Here you go then. Your wishes have been answered, since the chapters in this book are just the right length to read one per day for twelve days, as needs be. Failing that, kids will enjoy reading about the kids in Ms. Plum's class on their own. It must be exceedingly hard to write a book containing little stories about self-improvement without sounding preachy or didactic. The strange thing about Magical Ms. Plum is that it comes off as just fun storytelling, with lessons to be learned that require a bit of thought and interpretation. It's a good book for kids who are thinkers, and even better for book discussion. A worthy addition to a popular genre and a heckuva nice book.
Ages 7-10.
Maybe she says it every year and maybe she doesn't but when Ms. Plum says that this new group of third graders will be her best class yet, you are inclined to believe her. As it happens, the kids are excited too. Each year children come out of Ms. Plum's class with secret smiles, and everyone wants to know what the big deal is. As it happens, the answer comes every time a student is asked to get something out of the classroom supply closet. Tashala goes in and comes out with a tiny horse that indirectly teaches her not to be a snob to her classmates. Messy Darma goes in and comes out with a pack of squirrels that are at her beck and call, much to the admiration of her classmates. Only Carlos is never selected to go in, and the fact that Ms. Plum doesn't recognize his superior intelligence eats away at him until he gets the very animal he deserves, but not one he expects. Yes, every year Ms. Plum says that this will be her best class ever. And every year, in a way, it's true.
They're not the usual problems and solutions, these little stories. Some are predictable, that's true. There's the pessimist, the kid who doesn't speak English well, and the interrupter. But the story of Emiko, a girl who sees everything through rose-colored glasses, is a little more out of the ordinary. Hers is not a huge problem, after all, but it can be dangerous to only see the good side of things, rather than their potential dangers. It's a complicated lesson for kids, but Becker deals deftly with it. There's also a very interesting chapter where Ms. Plum gets something out of the supply closet herself, and finds herself saddled with an attention-seeking peacock. It's an interesting choice on Becker's part. A kind of acknowledgment to the child readers that sometimes even adults have ways in which they could improve. That's my interpretation of the chapter, anyway. I suspect that if you read it to kids they might come up with some entirely different reasons for why Ms. Plum got a peacock. Whatever the case, I liked it too because you almost never get to see Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle or Ms. Frizzle show any weaknesses in their own stories. Becker has created a very modern and complex look at an old, once simple theme.
It's a small thing, but one plot element I like about this book is that Ms. Plum's class is of third graders. Sometimes I feel like third graders get short shrift in literature while the fourth graders hog all the glory. After all, it's called Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing not Tales of a Third Grade Nothing. It's Fourth Grade Rats not Third Grade Rats. So when it became clear that Ms. Plum specializes in third graders, I was instantly intrigued. At last! Something for them.
There's not much to find fault with here, but I admit that I was a little shocked at how abruptly Magical Ms. Plum ended. One minutes we're hearing about Nadia and the little cat that purrs away her worries, and then suddenly the text is italicized and we're getting half a page of conclusion to the entire book. Maybe it wouldn't have felt quite so out of the blue if the Nadia storyline had wrapped up all the others, but really it didn't have much to do with them. The Carlos storyline would have made more sense, really. Then again, Ms. Plum says at the end of the Carlos story that "There's always another chance at the closet for everyone," and while he never seems to get that chance, you certainly couldn't make this the final story with that sentence in it. Tis a puzzlement.
Now let's talk about Amy Portnoy for a moment. You can certainly write an early chapter book like this one without including any pictures, but I wouldn't advise it. From what I have been able to determine, this is Ms. Portnoy's first children's book, though you'd never know it to look at it. The artist makes use of a loose pen-and-ink style that complements the story very well indeed. To that end, her work is not too dissimilar from that of Ms. Becker's previous chapter book collaborator Abby Carter. Maybe Ms. Becker's books just lend themselves to thin pen-and-inks. Dunno.
Teachers are often looking for good books to read aloud in class. Sure, you could read Stuart Little for the tenth straight year in a row, but wouldn't your third graders like something new as well? Here you go then. Your wishes have been answered, since the chapters in this book are just the right length to read one per day for twelve days, as needs be. Failing that, kids will enjoy reading about the kids in Ms. Plum's class on their own. It must be exceedingly hard to write a book containing little stories about self-improvement without sounding preachy or didactic. The strange thing about Magical Ms. Plum is that it comes off as just fun storytelling, with lessons to be learned that require a bit of thought and interpretation. It's a good book for kids who are thinkers, and even better for book discussion. A worthy addition to a popular genre and a heckuva nice book.
Ages 7-10.
November 6, 2009
Disclaimer: I read this book in manuscript form and fell in love with it immediately, sensing I was reading a contemporary Mrs. Piggle Wiggle. What kid isn't going to love a book about a magical closet that you enter looking for markers or art supplies and come out with a miniature animal. There's a catch, however: that mini animal ends up causing each kid to change in some way. Perfect for confident readers who are ready for a more sophisticated text but not the often age-inappropriate content that sometimes goes along with that sophistication.
April 23, 2018
My 6 y.o. and I read this for his school and I have to jump on here and say it was the best chapter book we read last year. Way to dig deep into children's behaviors and intentions through fiction! Absolutely artful.
January 27, 2021
Reminded me of Mrs. Piggle Wiggle. Would be a fun read aloud in second grade.
June 11, 2023
It was a cute story.
August 16, 2010
If Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle had a sister who taught 3rd grade, she would be the delightful magical Ms. Plum. Bonny Becker has created that perfect teacher who is able to understand each student's quirks and needs. Every time Ms. Plum sends a student into her supply closet, they come out with a magical little animal friend or two. Tashala, the horse lover, comes out with a tiny horse, and she soon realizes that horses outside of her dreams have clean up issues. Eric, the class clown, gets a talking parrot that steals all of his punchlines. Darma, the ostracized Pigpen-type, gets a small squad of squirrels who give her a manicure.
Each chapter introduces us to another student and their animal solution. In a delightful twist, even Ms. Plum goes into the supply closet and is followed out by the animal that is perfect for her as well.
PS -- My seven year old son LOVED this book, hence the 5 stars...
Each chapter introduces us to another student and their animal solution. In a delightful twist, even Ms. Plum goes into the supply closet and is followed out by the animal that is perfect for her as well.
PS -- My seven year old son LOVED this book, hence the 5 stars...
October 8, 2013
Ms. Plum is a teacher at Springtime Elementary. The supply closet in her classroom holds many useful things, but it also holds something else...something mysterious. Join Ms. Plum's best class ever through a year of friendship, discoveries, and transformations! The students in Ms. Plum's third grade class learn a lot about each other and themselves in this allegory of growing up.
The prologue of the book is a great way to entice third graders to continue reading. The Magical Ms. Plum is an outstanding addition to an independent reading shelf. While the chapters are a bit repetitive, readers are guaranteed to identify with the students in Ms. Plum's class. By the end of the book, readers will wonder what magical animal will follow them out of the supply closet. Though few, the illustrations help add to the mystery and humor of the journey through this third grade class.
The prologue of the book is a great way to entice third graders to continue reading. The Magical Ms. Plum is an outstanding addition to an independent reading shelf. While the chapters are a bit repetitive, readers are guaranteed to identify with the students in Ms. Plum's class. By the end of the book, readers will wonder what magical animal will follow them out of the supply closet. Though few, the illustrations help add to the mystery and humor of the journey through this third grade class.
February 5, 2011
Mrs Piggle Wiggle as a teacher finding the perfect solution for each of her students' problems. Shades of the fabled 4th graders. Fun story to read aloud.
March 7, 2017
This book is about a third grade teacher who is not only a unique character herself, but has something quite different about her classroom. Whenever the students try to talk about the mystery inside her classroom, they are unable to speak! The students quickly find out that its Ms. Plum’s supply closet that is quite odd. Every time Ms. Plum instructs a student to get something out of the supply closet, they return with some kind of animal! Every time a student has a problem, they will go to the supply closet and their problem will be magically solved. For example, Jeremy, an unhappy camper enters the supply closet and leaves with a raven that repeats a funny phrase that lightens him up.
This book can help young readers relate to the students problems in the book and watch them find magical solutions to those problems. It will not only make readers laugh, but it will allow them to feel connected to the students inside of the book. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars. “On this particular day, the day before the first day of school, Ms. Plum stood inside the closet, talking about her new third-grade students. But who was she talking to” (Becker 7)? This children’s book is clearly written for entertainment purposes but also has underlying purposes beyond a simple laugh. It can help children relate to other children their age in a funny manner. It also teaches many different lessons of kindness, good behavior and sharing. The intriguing black and white drawings in the book make it appealing for young readers.
This book can help young readers relate to the students problems in the book and watch them find magical solutions to those problems. It will not only make readers laugh, but it will allow them to feel connected to the students inside of the book. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars. “On this particular day, the day before the first day of school, Ms. Plum stood inside the closet, talking about her new third-grade students. But who was she talking to” (Becker 7)? This children’s book is clearly written for entertainment purposes but also has underlying purposes beyond a simple laugh. It can help children relate to other children their age in a funny manner. It also teaches many different lessons of kindness, good behavior and sharing. The intriguing black and white drawings in the book make it appealing for young readers.
April 24, 2020
I have no idea where this book came from as I have never seen it before, however, my 6 year old asked me to read it to her so I did. After the first chapter, we were hooked (including the 9 year old). It's a great book about teachers teaching you more than just curriculum and about how to become better people. It has magic, manicure-giving squirrels, and snowball riding monkeys, what could be better? The setting is a 3rd grade classroom so it makes it a good book for elementary kids in general.
November 24, 2019
What a wonderful book! My daughter and I were both entranced. We adored the whimsical story and loved the deeper meaning behind it. Such a treasure. I was surprised I’d never heard of this book before my daughter checked it out of her school library, and I really hope Bonny Becker will write more chapter books! Exquisite!
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January 26, 2021This is a good book for kids that like classroom/magical teacher stories. It didn't feature any of the obnoxious behavior featured in some kids' books that I don't like, and the kids that needed to learned lessons. I don't recommend to adults to read on their own, but my 8 year old really enjoyed it.
August 12, 2018
Alice: 5 stars.
Jenny: 3 stars. Cute story about a class where there are magical animals that come out of the teacher's supply cabinet to help her students correct their flaws in various ways. A bit difficult to read out loud.
Jenny: 3 stars. Cute story about a class where there are magical animals that come out of the teacher's supply cabinet to help her students correct their flaws in various ways. A bit difficult to read out loud.
March 5, 2025
Read this aloud to a girl I know. I liked how some students learned a lesson or changed somehow. I’m not sure what the point of most of the second half was for. I didn’t really see lessons learned or becoming better in some way as much as I
May 23, 2019
For the Davis Book Battle. Not my favorite.
July 17, 2019
This is a cute story that uses animals that come out of a magical closet to teach students life lessons.
November 25, 2019
Tyler read this to me from his Battle of the Books list. It was funny to see the unique things that came from the closet, but on the whole, not riveting for us.
December 27, 2019
Wish it was longer! Charming book!
February 26, 2020
A fun little book, where kids magically get exactly what they need
June 6, 2021
I enjoyed this. A bit like Mrs. Pigglewiggle, teaching kids good behaviors.
October 5, 2022
A fun family read-aloud for the beginning of the school year. Reminiscent of Wayside School, the girls loved this, and the short chapters made reading aloud in tiny windows of free time easy!
October 13, 2022
Each chapter is very exciting!
January 28, 2023
Kind of reads like connected short stories to me as every character essentially learns their own lesson via the closet in Ms. Plum's room. A fine book, if tales with lessons appeal to you.
October 30, 2009
Ms. Plum reminded me of Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle, except that, unlike Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle, Ms. Plum is a third grade teacher. In her classroom is a magical supply closet. Whenever a child is sent to the supply closet to get something mundane (paperclips or tape, for example), that child always comes back with some sort of animal. And this animal always teaches the child a lesson. Eric talks too much and is constantly interrupting others. His animal is a parrot that can read his mind and says out loud whatever happens to pop into Eric's head. Jeremy is a sullen child who thinks only of doom and gloom. His animal makes him laugh. And so it goes. Through these animals, Ms. Plum helps cure the children of their problems, both by teaching the recipient of the animal a lesson and by teaching the rest of the class something about the recipient of the animal.
This was a fine book. I didn't really have any complaints... but I just sort of felt that it did what the Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle books had already done, and it really isn't any better than the Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle books. There is certainly room for both books in the world of children's literature. But, given the choice, I would rather read or recommend Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle than Ms. Plum.
This was a fine book. I didn't really have any complaints... but I just sort of felt that it did what the Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle books had already done, and it really isn't any better than the Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle books. There is certainly room for both books in the world of children's literature. But, given the choice, I would rather read or recommend Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle than Ms. Plum.
October 29, 2012
After reading the first chapter of The Magical Ms. Plum, I felt like it was going to be a real drag of amateur writing from start to finish. While the writing did improve a bit, what really turned this tale of third grade around is the creative premise that kept my wife, daughter, and I coming back for more after each chapter.
The story follows a Ms. Plum's third grade class for a year, and what is unique about Ms. Plum is that she has a supply closet imbued with magic. Whenever a kid goes to the supply closet to get something for Ms. Plum, he or she is followed by an animal that teaches the kids a lesson to help the students learn how to be more confident, honest, and kind.
While not the best piece of literature ever, The Magical Ms. Plum belongs in the library of any teacher and as a worthy read aloud of all elementary age kids. Very fun!
The story follows a Ms. Plum's third grade class for a year, and what is unique about Ms. Plum is that she has a supply closet imbued with magic. Whenever a kid goes to the supply closet to get something for Ms. Plum, he or she is followed by an animal that teaches the kids a lesson to help the students learn how to be more confident, honest, and kind.
While not the best piece of literature ever, The Magical Ms. Plum belongs in the library of any teacher and as a worthy read aloud of all elementary age kids. Very fun!
November 6, 2009
Indeed…it’s true that everyone wants to be in Ms. Plum’s class. I especially would have loved to have been in such a magical classroom as a child. This is most certainly a children’s book, which is not usually a book that I review and recommend, but upon seeing the title, I knew it would be the kind of book that a lot of people would enjoy. I feel like it should be added to the list of great children’s books that become classic over time, like Where the Wild Things Are and Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.
Even for adults, it’s an interesting allegory that can give some insight into who you were as a child and who you’ve become as an adult. Honestly, I kind of wish that there was a magical Ms. Plum right now that would show me some of my personal character flaws in order to help me figure out how to right them. I recommend this book to children, parents and teachers.
-Lindsey Miller, www.lindseyslibrary.com
Even for adults, it’s an interesting allegory that can give some insight into who you were as a child and who you’ve become as an adult. Honestly, I kind of wish that there was a magical Ms. Plum right now that would show me some of my personal character flaws in order to help me figure out how to right them. I recommend this book to children, parents and teachers.
-Lindsey Miller, www.lindseyslibrary.com
May 14, 2012
What a delightful read! Wouldn't it be nice if we could walk into a magical closet and find just what we need? That's the premise behind 'The Magical Ms. Plum'. Ms. Plum teaches third grade and every one of her students recognize that she's a little different. But they can't communicate how she's different. What happens in Ms. Plum's class stays in Ms. Plum's class. And what happens is this...each child will be sent to the supply closet when they need to go. Perhaps they are overly pessimistic, or snooping, or having trouble with the English language..., when they come out, they are accompanied by a magical animal and through that animal they will learn a lesson. Even Ms. Plum ventures into the closet in a moment of need.
The structure of the book is wonderful for highlighting each of the students and presenting morals to the story without feeling preachy. The illustrations are wonderful. This is a great read.
The structure of the book is wonderful for highlighting each of the students and presenting morals to the story without feeling preachy. The illustrations are wonderful. This is a great read.
August 12, 2011
Working in a school, I have a chance to see the power of a good teacher to make a difference in the lives of his/her students. While I too try to make a difference, I only see each class once a week, so except for the avid readers who I see almost every day, I often don't know all the challenges that students struggle with, both personal and familial.
This light read involves students facing up to and learning from their weaknesses through the use of a magical closet and its magical inhabitants. I wish I had such a closet, sigh. I appreciated that it wasn't just the students who learned from the animals, but also Ms. Plum. As a teacher, I feel it is important to keep learning every day. I plan to use this book with my third grade classes as a discussion starter about behavior and how we can help each other be better.
This light read involves students facing up to and learning from their weaknesses through the use of a magical closet and its magical inhabitants. I wish I had such a closet, sigh. I appreciated that it wasn't just the students who learned from the animals, but also Ms. Plum. As a teacher, I feel it is important to keep learning every day. I plan to use this book with my third grade classes as a discussion starter about behavior and how we can help each other be better.
Read
January 14, 2015Summary-The story is about a magical cabnet in a class .The teaacher picks on a kid to get something from the cabnet and they come out with a pet but it gose back at the end of the day .
Setting-The story takes place in a classroom .It is important to the story because in the classroom there is a magic cadnet .
Character Trait-Ms.Plum is the main character because she is a teacher .She is nice and kind .Because she says nice things like "it will be the best class ever"!
Most Important Event-One of the kids change the story by going into the cabnet because all of the kids want to be choose to go into the cabnet .
Recommendation-I think peopel who like magic and animals.
Kourtney
January 13, 2010
Easy chapter book (J fiction, could almost be J/E). Ms. Plum is a teacher with magical powers (or is it her supply closet that has the magical powers?) - each time she sends a 3rd grade student in to fetch supplies, the child comes out with an animal perfectly suited to help the child - whether they need help gaining confidence, humility, or something else. A pleasant, humorous read with gentle lessons about getting along. Ms. Plum is kind of like Ms. Frizzle, but with a more subdued demeanor, and not such fun, wacky clothes.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews