Dear Whiskers

Munchkin

by Ann Whitehead Nagda, Stephanie Roth Sisson (Illustrator)

Jenny hates pretending to be a mouse, but that's exactly what she has to do for her school project. Every fourth grader is writing letters to a second grader--in mouse character. Most of her classmates think it's fun, but Jenny can't think of much to say. When she fails to get an answer from her second grader, Sameera, Jenny is embarrassed and angry.

Soon Jenny discovers the reason behind Sameera's silence: she doesn't speak English. At first Jenny is mad that her project is a flop. But later she sees how hard it is for Sameera in her new country. Will Jenny decide to use her project to help the new girl fit in? Or will she trade her in for another second grader?

Genres: Chapter Books, Childrens, Realistic Fiction, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1948

Reviews

[Isabel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't really like this because it didn't have enough details. I really loved the main idea of the story. I don't like mice because get all over the house. This is a good book for people who like mice. I loved the mouse cookie idea it was a great idea to help the little girl.

[HeY iT's LuCy]

read it in like 2nd or 3rd i remember i liked it

[Bev · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really cute little book. It would be great for helping people understand other cultures and how lonely it is to move to a new country where you don't speak the language. A valuable lesson in today's world!

[Monica Lit · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book about listening to your teacher and doing a hard job. Being kind to someone younger than you, encouraging them, helping them, and showing kindness. It goes great with teaching letter writing too.

[Foxglow · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book for an early reader

[Bhabika Joshi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know why, but I remember reading this and liking it very much when I was young. I would recommend it even though I don't remember a single thing about it.

[Danielle]

Book w/ Adelaide

[Cheryl]

mentioned in Kelsey Green, Reading Queen

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

We recently read Meow Means Mischief and The Perfect Cat-Sitter by Ann Whitehead Nagda and we really enjoyed those stories. So I was excited to learn that the characters from that book returned in this one.

I'm not sure if it's a series or a sequel per se, but there appear to be five books that have characters common in each, but seem to focus on a different child. While the last two stories featured Rana and Susan, this book centers on Jenny.

The story is fairly straightforward and entertaining and it is easy for our girls to relate to the characters. I loved that Jenny finds creative ways to interact with Sameera and help her learn English.

Overall, we thought this was an entertaining story and we enjoyed reading it together. We plan to read Tarantula Power! next.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this is a well-written book about a girl learning to be friends with a new student despite the language barrier, I would reluctantly advise against my ESL students reading this until they feel truly at home in their new setting. The book looks candidly and sympathetically at the struggles a native English speaker might have when meeting a non-fluent speaker for the first time. Main character Jenny's emotional responses are honest, but they may make a new student already trying to feel comfortable and confident instead feel exactly the opposite.

On the other hand, I would enthusiastically recommend this to children in Jenny's situation. It is a charming story which will both validate their feelings (including those negative ones caused by discomfort and unfamiliarity) and show how they can move beyond them to reach out with actions to another child who might need their friendship.

[Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was excellent. I love Nagda's writing. Our children can really relate to the stories that she writes. This book deals with 4th and 2nd graders and working on a writing project. There is a young girl Jenny whom has a pen pal that is on the shy side you could say. Jenny is a clever bright and shy girl herself that really loves writing when she puts her heart and mind into it. This book has great messages in it for the children that read it along with their parents. I loved reading this book and I look forward to the next one. I love how these books describe how things are done in school, and describe the steps in details that makes it enjoyable for kids. My daughter doesn't like to write and these books sure encourage her to move in a more positive direction.

Happy Reading, Heather

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jenny's assignment is to write a letter from a mouse's perspective and send it to a second grader. All the other students get wonderful letters back from their second grade pen pal, but not Jenny. All her letters says is "No mouse in desk." While everyone else is having fun with this assignment, Jenny struggles to figure out what to do to make friends with Sameera. What she finds out is a lesson in cultures.

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jenny is writing to a so called "new" second grader. That second grader is from a place near Cuba. She often speaks in her language. Susan is the pretty know-it-all girl,she got a boy named Daniel. She brags about their letters and saying that it's really deataily. Jenny is really mad so she tries to make Susan jealous of her. To find out more read "Dear Whiskers"

[Kitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute book about a girl named Jenny who reluctantly is paired with a "pen pal" who doesn't write much. Jenny learns more about her mysterious pen pal as the story goes on, and what begins as the worst pen pal ever becomes a great new friendship and opportunity for Jenny to meet a challenge.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story about a 4th-grader who is paired as "penpal" with a 2nd-grade Arabic immigrant girl who speaks little English.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing and cute.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute

[Musical · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book. The girl is my age.

[Titik Musyarofah]

ceritanya tidak terduga. meski kisahnya anak-anak, tapi inspiratif

[Maelee · Rating 5 out of 5]

An early chapter book about an american girl befriending an arab immigrant girl - very touching and will appeal to second and third graders.

[Mrs. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was such a sweet book. Would work well with buddy readers.

[Roxanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A reluctant 4th grader letter-writer gets a Pen Pal who doesn't speak English. Jenny comes up with some creative ways to reach her pen pal, and help her acclimate to life in the US.

[Arwen · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a good book so far! I love to read a chapter at school, At home or just for fun!

[Heather]

We are reading this as a family. My son has begged me several times to just read it in his own time, but we are sticking to reading together. So far so good. We didn't finish it though.

[Neens West · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful read for children

[Ja'Nyse]

I loved this book even though I don't like mice.It has gave me attention to this book when I had first read this book .I had really liked it so give it a chance.

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great story to help children understand cultural differences!

[Haaley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. I've read it many times and I'm sure I'll read it many more.