{My Thoughts} – Roscoe Riley is once again in timeout for his bad behavior. In this book his heart wasn’t in the right place though. He was jealous of another boys stuffed animal. Rosco’s went missing and he assumed the other boy took it. When he saw the other boy had a stuffed animal he took his. He figured it was only fair and that maybe the other boy would return his stuffed animal to him.

It is never okay to accuse someone of taking something of yours without proof. It is never okay to take something that doesn’t belong to you out of jealousy or spite.

In this book Roscoe learned that he acted too rash and that he didn’t have all the facts. He learned that it isn’t fair to treat others badly just because you feel bad. He learned that when you lose something important to you that it is likely you will eventually find it again I’m a place you least expect it to be.

I highly recommend this book for any child that is having a difficult time engaging in the book world. It has a nice lesson about following the rules and it has humor, which makes for a nice read. ( )

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: ( )