MrsK Books: 28 Tricks for a Fearless Grade 6

Friday, June 13, 2014

28 Tricks for a Fearless Grade 6

Catherine Austen

ISBN: 9781459406193

Net Galley Synopsis:

Dave Davidson's heart is in the right place. He believes it's his mission to cure his friends of their fears. But his solutions are hare-brained at best and often come with unintended and hilarious consequences. Afraid of dancing at the school dance? Dave's got ways to fix that: sprain an ankle, eat expired food to get sick, or even get yourself suspended for a few days. Have a public speaking phobia? Dave can fix that for you too: get laryngitis, forge a note from a therapist, or get your friends to hold up cue cards. This hilarious new novel will appeal to reluctant tween readers, especially boys.

MrsK's Review:

Are you ready for some fun... this book will not disappoint you! Right from the beginning, you will delight in Dave. His many ways to overcome fears is the topic of everyone's conversations. Not only does Dave have an odd punk-rocking teacher (Mr. Papadakis), he is just handed a flyer about the back-to-school dance. Now, I don't know about you, but school dances can be a bit intimidating and for Dave and Eric it becomes a fear that begins rolling out of control. First Dave decides to practice a few dance moves with his dog, Maisy.... "She flattened her ears and tucked her tail, deeply embarrassed to be dancing with a human. She jumped away at the first loud drum roll." Next up is to practice with his friends. He tries to help Eric but "...It's painful to watch!" So Eric must find a way to conquer his fear of dancing that won't involve a long healing process. When all else fails, the guys decide to learn a few steps as a group effort. How the dance goes will be for you to discover.

For Andrew's fear of public speaking (without throwing up) is not only genius... it's hysterical. I can't even give details with out fits of hilarity bursting forth. Seriously, as an educator... this would be one of those life-long memories that you share over and over. Let's just say that with the visual, with the intensity of the moment, and the innocent desire to help a friend... everyone in the classroom is treated to the best speech presentation about our digestion system.

Next up is Vanessa's fear of dogs. I get this one. If you have ever had a doberman licking your neck, well let me say it was not on the top of my list as the best moment of my life. Dave decides there must be certain stages for this fear to be faced and forced away. It doesn't look good when he helps Vanessa to the final stage, his wonderful dog Maisy gets the fear "screamed" out of her and Vanessa has decided to walk away with her fear. That is until Dave discovers the truth about Robbie's dog.

Finally, Dave is ready to help Claire's fear of the future. This is such a well organized, soundly developed, and completely entertaining (did I forget to tell you that Dave and his friends have a band...) closure to this book.

This book is a perfect read-aloud for any 3rd-5th classroom. Every Librarian must share these hysterical moments of inquiry and cause/effect. If you are reading this by yourself, beware you will be laughing out loud and trying to share with anyone you can!

Amazing read

Added to our GMT Library shelves

I grew up in Kingston, Ontario, the youngest of five children. I studied political science at Queen's University and environmental studies at York University before moving to the Ottawa area to work in the conservation movement.
I wrote short stories in my student days and published about a dozen in small literary journals. I didn't write much fiction for several years, while working full-time and starting a family. Eventually, I quit office life to raise children and write freelance - both of which I still do. I sometimes miss my old work and feel like I should be doing more with my life. Sigh.
I wrote my first story for children in 2003, and I am now starting to get the hang of it. My first book, Walking Backward, was published with Orca in 2009. I've since published several books and won several book awards. I write for all ages.

I live in Aylmer (Gatineau), Quebec with my husband and two sons and too many pets. We live in a little house with a big yard full of rodents, rabbits, and the occasional fox and falcon. It is inspiring.

"I received this ebook for free from Net Galley for this review."

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MrsK's Reading Bio

Reading is important! No questions asked, not even a blink of the eye from any student I grew up with. On the first day of the First grade, we were given our first books. Day two we all read aloud, round robin of course. Day three we were place in our first basal, now known as a lit circle group. Books were so important, publishers designed new curriculum so that every student was reading by the end of the first week. These early readers had images that looked like what we could see in the classroom, beyond the classroom, even on the big screen. Reading is important, throughout history every generation has believed that “Reading” opens up the world for endless possibilities.

I adore the 1950’s Dick and Jane books. Actually, most reading specialists and experienced (45+) educators believe that every student learned to read with Dick and Jane. Since these books are being re-issued, I have heard many parents, grandparents, and students claim that Dick and Jane stories of repetition does teach students to read.

Early influences from my mother influenced my desire to read. I would watch her read and we would go on “secret” excursions to the library. The library became my playground. I owned every book I could carry home, of course they needed to be taken back to their home after visiting with me for a week or two. My first book that I could pull off of the library shelf and read was, Father Bear Comes Home. I only saw my dad on Sundays for a few hours. I would pull this beginning reader off of the library shelf every week. Every week I would try to read the first chapter. Every week I got further in the story. My mom would let me check it out, only if I could read it myself (She didn’t like the illustrations therefore she didn’t want to take time to read it to me). One day, I pulled the book from the shelf and when mom came to get me from the children’s corner, I realized that I had read the whole story. I ran to the check out desk and the Librarian KERCHUNKED the checkout card. My mother, brother and neighbors read. My teachers read. We all read aloud all day long in school. The Priest read aloud every day at mass, even in Latin. Everybody in the Doctor’s office read. People on the bus read. Dad’s waiting in their cars as the Mom’s and children grocery shopped, read. In fact, once you could read and write, Sunset Magazine considered you a reader and sent you mail every day.

Reading is important; I’ve spent my life reading. I’ve traveled around the world and into space through books. My favorite genre is whichever book I have open at the time. Children’s Literature is my passion. Book clubbing is one of the best past times, especially if food is involved. In fact my friends of old are in a book club and we are about to embark on a beach trip to “read” and discuss our newest selection.

My “home-run” book story has helped every student find his or her own “home-run” reads. Every year, I have shared my, Father Bear Comes Home, and every year my students have brought in their “home-run” books. That’s the “diving board” into our Lit. Studies.

In “Growing Up Digital,” Tapscott’s insights into the new generations enthusiasm for the Net reminded me of my generation’s enthusiasm for reading, movies, TV, parties and our driving permits. The Net-Generation, as Tapscott describes, “are learning, playing, communicating, working, creating communities, and enforcing a social transformation.”
N-Geners are interactive “techies” who are always looking for a way to “work it” verses the TV Generation of “Baby Boomers” who started out looking for “how it works.” Reading development is tougher today, society moves too fast to invest their “non-working” free time into a book or even “home work.” Since I stepped into my own classroom, I have seen students being told to read, being forced to read, and threatened into reading. Homework is not any longer the vehicle for students to gain their future lifestyles or careers with. Yet, the Internet does create an enthusiasm for learning. Since I have been enrolled in these courses, I have used the computers in every subject. My students are using the newest technology in the classroom because I am giving them investigative sites to use as they learn from each other and books. I agree with Tapscott, in order to bridge the gap with this up and coming generation we must “live and learn with them.”

FTC Required Disclaimer: I receive these books from the publishers. I did not receive monetary compensation for these reviews. These reviews have been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)