Clementine

By: Sara Pennypacker Illustrator: Marla Frazee

         Sara Pennypackers, Clementine, is the first book out of this exciting and numerous series. The book begins by introducing readers into the life of a 8 year old girl. Clementine is very wiggly, inquisitive, and always trying to 'help'. Although, her help is not always as positive as she thinks - she doesn't mean to cause trouble. Throughout this book we get to read all about her horrible week from her perspective. The week begins when she gets sent to the principals office for cutting off her best friend, named Margaret, hair. Margaret got glue in her hair so she was trying to cut it out but she made it worse so, she asked Clementine for assistance. Clementine was trying to help so she cut it all off, colored her hair, and then tried to glue on Margaret hair and got in trouble. Later on in the book we see her week get worse, not only because of all the incidences with Margaret, but because her parents, and Margaret's parents were mad. Clementine ended up cutting her hair short and using markers to color it green - the goal of this was to make Margaret be more comfortable in school.  After reading about Clementines numerous trips to the principals office and her actions in the class - we learned that Clementine is very energetic and does not mean harm! She also really admires Margaret and tries to be the same age as her, have the "same bracelets on my teeth" etc. At the end of the book we see that Clementine acts the way she does just because that is how she is - she doesn't think about the consequences. After her parents comforted her, and Margaret and Margaret mom came to their surprise party Clementine became much happier. 

Classroom Application: This book can also be used as a read along. Teachers could divide up this realistic fiction book into different sections and have students relate their bad week to Clementines.