First Graders from Mars, Episode 1: Horus's Horrible Day

First Graders From Mars #1

by Shana Corey, Mark Teague (Illustrator)

Horus is exited about starting first grade. That is, until he discovers there are no slime tables, no snooze mats, and no snacks; and he gets put in the Beta reading group instead of the Alpha, and finds himself longing for the good old days of Martiangarten.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, 1st Grade, School Stories, School, Science Fiction, Fiction

32 pages, Library Binding

First published August 1, 2001

About the author

Lives in Brooklyn, NY with her husband.

Reviews

[Marie Flanigan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I good read-aloud introduction to science fiction. This is a series, which is a nice introduction to sci-fi series. It's funny in parts and children can identify with Horus's difficulty adjusting to a new classroom. A great read for the first week of first grade.

[Cosette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super clever

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's Horus's first day in 1st grade and he hates it because it is nothing like martiangarten. There's too much work and not enough play time, no snack time, and no nap time. He refuses to go back but Mom makes him. Turns out he's not the only one not wanting to go to school because a new friend Pelly, is feels just the same way that he does.

This is a great scifi book for young readers with just enough aliens and martians to get them started in this genre.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Horus was looking forward to attending his first day as a first grader. But to his surprise he wasn't quite ready for the changes, and found it difficult to adjust. He told his mother he wasn't going back, but she convinced him to give it another try. He met Pelly who was having an even harder time adjusting, and with Horus' help first grade became much better.

[Pamela Powell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Horus's first day of first grade on Mars is very different from the previous year and he's not sure he likes it. He decides he's not going back, but then another student changes his mind. The vocabulary is a creative mix of "alienized" words. Well done.

[Elliott Cardenas · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay, the art was good. I liked how it talked about even if things don'r work out the first time you have to keep trying and eventually things will work out. I like how it talks about how even if you are afraid to do something you just have to believe in yourself.

[Isis · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love it!!!!!!

[Zach Hansen · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was alright. Had a good "first-grader" story line.

[Ashley Moser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun little book about the hard transition from kindergarten to first grade.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Horus is excited for his first day of first grade but soon gets a rude awakening when he realizes it's nothing like martiangarrten.

[Judy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not enjoyable for this Grandma to read. Kids liked.

[Autumn · Rating 5 out of 5]

We picked this book up from out public library.

Loved this book, when I saw it at the library I thought it was perfect for my first grader. And of course he thought so as well.
You have Horus who is now a first grader and he is so excited to start until he realizes it is not like Martiangarten (which is kindergarten). He wants to stay home until he meets a new friend and he ends up showing Pelly around.
The story was awesome and teaches that you should try new things and not be scared. You may have fun.
My son's favorite parts were when Horus stayed in bed because he did not want to go to school. And the ending where him and Pelly became friends and went to first grade together.
My favorite part was when Horus's mom dragged Horus to school there are times that I have had to drag my little guy to school so I can relate. He doesn't like school either until he gets there and decides oh it is not too bad here. This is a great introduction to sci-fi books being as you are reading about aliens and the story is funny. A great read for I would say first graders being as they may be able to relate to Horus.

[Lisa Sandidge · Rating 3 out of 5]

First Graders From Mars: Episode #01: Horus's Horrible Day is about a young martian named Horus. He is starting the 1st grad and is disappointed to see that 1st grade does not have the same things that he was used to in kindergarten. The story goes on to discuss the challenges that Horus faces with starting 1st grade and what happens new experiences happen. This makes for a great book for young students when the school year is ending and will give them some insight of what to expect when going to a new grade, in a new classroom with a new teacher and different students.

The theme of this story is that change is okay. While we get use to having things be a certain way, we will be able to adapt to things changing. This story was repetitive in its pattern of going back and forth between what was new and how it was different than what he was used to. The story was told from third person point of view since the reader has insight to how Horus is feeling and what his thoughts are. The interaction between the words and images enhances the story. If it were just words or just images, the story would not be as interesting.

[Hayley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Author: Shana Corey
Illustrator: Mark Teague
Genre: Science Fiction
Grade Level: 2.4
Lexile: 150L

Summary: This is an extremely cute story of a Martian (Horus) starting 1st grade and being disappointed there weren’t certain things in 1st grade he was used to. This story talks about the challenges of starting a new grade and what happens when new and sometimes scary things can happen. This is a great story about starting 1st grade. This is a great book for teachers of that level to read to their students in the beginning of the year.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun book about starting first grade and how scary and intimidating it can be. Many changes occur between Kindergarten and first grade and while our girls relished the feeling of being a big girl, I can see how others might miss the comforts of a grade they knew. The illustrations are hilarious and the narrative is just strange enough for children to feel a bit of objective detachment. It's a fun story to read aloud and we enjoyed reading it together.

[Rebecca Mullins · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book on lessons and individuality. The main character in the book does not feel like he is good at anything. Everyone else is better than him at everything. In the end, he does not win the race but he tried his hardest. He was praised for that, and he learned his lesson. This is a good book for 1-3 grade.

[Becky B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Horus is crushed when he realizes how different 1st grade is from martiangarten. He doesn't want to go back, but an encounter with another horrified 1st grader helps both Horus and the new girl gather the courage to go to school.

A good one for kids suffering from firstgradeitis or for preparing kids for the differences between kindergarten and 1st grade.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute children's book. I did not really prefer it because of how low the level is. I am sure that if a second grader read it then they would like it. The storyline was cute and gave a great lesson. You could use it in a classroom.

[Naomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely better than one of the other books that I read in this series; however, still has that dime a dozen feeling to it. Illustrations felt the same way. I didn't see this as one that would stand out.

[Alia GoinHam · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book was funny kind of like junie b. jones books i love her but any way if u like funni books this book is allllllllll yours.

[Caitlin Mauragas · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think that reading books like this to students who are in the 1st grade is super fun! I think that the students feel connected to the book because the book is about children that are their age.

[Katey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This again a fun book for those going into a new grade. Things are a lot different going into the next grade but friends always make it better.

[Nanee Zogaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book about the fears accompanied with the first day of school jitters and adapting to the changes. Great read and should help alleviate anxiety about the first day of school

[Briana Deleon]

This is a good read aloud to showcase science fiction. The hilarious plot is one in which children might identify with if they have ever been new. Great read aloud for the younger elementary crowd!

[Avaj · Rating 2 out of 5]

Poor Horus wants nothing to do with school, until he meets a fellow classmate who shares the same fears but is able to motivate Horus. Definitely a book most every kid can relate to.

[Alicia]

THEME: starting Kindergarten
USES: teaching science fiction and/or for reading the first week of Kindergarten

[Leyla · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter enjoyed the illustrations. She said she loved Reading, unlike Horus. I wonder why. I'm only hopeful.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Horus has a bad first day at school, but is able to solve his problem by helping another new student face her first day.