Second Grade Holdout

May 15, 2017
The star of First Grade Dropout returns, and once again he has big reservations about proceeding to the next grade. It doesn’t help that his best friend Tyler’s older sisters are feeding him whoppers about what life as a second grader is like: “Every student has to be able to speak Russian perfectly before Thanksgiving! Also... you have to invent a substitute for water!! Or you fail!!!” Cordell’s scraggly cartooning expertly channels the narrator’s nervousness (and Tyler’s sisters’ mischievousness), and although Vernick ends on an encouraging note, she keeps the anxiety-fueled jokes coming until nearly the last page. Ages 4–7. Author’s agent: Erin Murphy, Erin Murphy Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Rosemary Stimola, Stimola Literary Studio.

June 1, 2017
After a rocky period in first grade (First Grade Dropout, 2015), the same anxious blond, white boy decides not to advance to second grade.After all, those first-grade books will be a breeze for him to read, he'll always be the one who's lost the most teeth, and that zoo field trip scavenger hunt? In the bag! His real worries involve being in a separate class from his best friend, Tyler, having a new teacher who doesn't know his quirks, being too big for the playground with the twisty slide, and just change in general. But Tyler's big sisters may also have something to do with his fears. The naive boy believes their tales of having to learn Russian by Thanksgiving and invent a substitute for water. They finally come clean to the protagonist but then start telling tales to Tyler. But the two don't fall for their tricks. After all, they're second-graders now. Cordell's scribbly-style pen-and-ink-and-watercolor illustrations again portray the kids' every fleeting emotion. The unnamed protagonist is white while Tyler and his sisters are black. The other kids and teachers are diverse. A new look at an age-old fact: change is hard but maybe not as hard as what one might imagine. (Picture book. 5-9)

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August 1, 2017

Gr 1-3-The protagonist of this story is not looking forward to entering second grade. He is sure that he won't get to have fun anymore, his teacher will be mean, and he won't be with his friend Tyler. All of the signs seem to indicate that the new school year will be catastrophic. He starts to devise a plan: Maybe he could repeat first grade! This plan becomes even more appealing when Tyler's older sisters begin to taunt him with horror stories about their own second grade experiences. They taunt Tyler as well, and the two friends bemoan their fate together. Eventually, they realize that they are being tricked and that second grade might not be so terrible after all. The story closes with the two boys giving each other a high-five, confident that if they can see through the schemes of Tyler's sisters they are smart enough to conquer second grade. This is a witty and fun story that will resonate with any child nervous about moving up a grade. Caregivers will find it particularly useful as a springboard to discuss school-related fears and anxieties with their children. Cordell's colorful cartoon illustrations make the topic seem less scary, and will appeal to youngsters. VERDICT An excellent addition to library collections during the back-to-school season.-Katherine Hickey, Metropolitan Library System, Oklahoma City

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2018
The young narrator from First Grade Dropout is weathering another psychological storm: he and his best buddy have been assigned to different second-grade classrooms. The narrator decides he will stay in first grade. Once again, Vernick introduces a problem familiar to a certain personality type and allows readers to recognize, and maybe even laugh at, themselves; Cordell's relaxed pen-and-ink and watercolor drawings honor the narrator's active imagination.

(Copyright 2018 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

September 1, 2017
In First Grade Dropout (rev. 7/15), the young narrator made a harrowing social blunder at school ("I. Called. My. Teacher. MOMMY!!!"). Here, he weathers another psychological storm: he and his best buddy, Tyler, have been assigned to different second-grade classrooms. What's more, second grade doesn't sound all that promising. The narrator makes a decision: he will stay in first grade. This way, he will not only enjoy perks ("I'll definitely be the one who's lost the most teeth") but also avoid Mr. Glazer, who, Tyler's older sisters tell him, is a really hard teacher ("You have to learn the presidents by heart. Forward AND backward"). Also hard? Realizing when older kids are pulling your leg, as the narrator and Tyler come to understand. This sequel doesn't pack quite the comedic wallop of its predecessor, but it borrows its calling card: Vernick introduces a problem familiar to a certain personality type ("I wish everything could just stay the way it was") and allows readers to recognize, and maybe even laugh at, themselves. Once again, Cordell's relaxed pen-and-ink and watercolor drawings honor the narrator's active imagination. One standout illustration is a spread showing past U.S. presidents parading with signs featuring brain-straining spelling words: "Platypus!" "Rendezvous!" "Discombobulated!" nell beram

(Copyright 2017 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)