Absolutely charming and sweet. Boy and humor appeal factors without absurdity or the common burping, toilet humor (which I love but am tired of). ( )

Recommended Ages: Gr.

Plot Summary: Roscoe doesn't care what his big brother says, he wants to take his precious stuffed pig to school with him. He knows he shouldn't take him out of his backpack, but when the class bully hears him whispering into his backpack, he starts teasing Roscoe. When Roscoe discovers Hamilton is missing, he knows it was Wyatt who took him. He explodes in the middle of class and accuses Wyatt. Roscoe grabs Wyatt's backpack and they fight over it. It goes flying and out pops a stuffed animal. Wyatt gives it a big hug but then insists it isn't his. Roscoe knows it is and steals Bobo to get even with Wyatt. To make the boys feel less embarrassed, the teacher invites every student to bring in their favorite stuffed animal but not Roscoe and Wyatt are both miserable without their best friend. Will they ever get their stuff animals back? Who took Hamilton?

Setting: school

Characters:
Roscoe Riley - first grader
Hamilton - Roscoe's stuffed pig
Max - Roscoe's big brother, tells him not to bring Hamilton to school because he doesn't want Roscoe to embarrass him
Hazel - Roscoe's sister, brought Roscoe her favorite Barbie doll to make him feel better
Emma and Gus - Roscoe's friends
Wyatt - has a stuffed animal named Bobo

Recurring Themes: bullying, lying, stealing, friendship, age (never too old), toys, stuffed animals, family

Controversial Issues: none

Personal Thoughts: This humorous story is very well written. It is from the perspective of a kid. I just don't know if any 1st graders at my school will be able to read it and I'm not sure the second graders will want to. I think the kids will love the silliness if they try it.

Genre: realistic fiction, mystery?

Pacing: slow-medium
Characters: very well developed and authentic
Frame:
Storyline:

Difficult sentence structure and vocabulary for 1st grade. Chapters start short then are about 6-8 pages each with average of 1-2 half page illustrations per chapter.

Activity: ( )