Eight-year-old Mandy Berr learns life lessons with patriotic pizazz in the first adventure of a new chapter book series.
Eight-year-old Mandy Berr has a lot going on. She has to share her parents’ attention with her newborn twin siblings, who are always crying, and her little brother, Timmy, who is constantly in her way. And she also has to find a way to deal with her nemesis, Dennis, who has a knack for getting under her skin.
At least Mandy has the upcoming Presidential Pageant to look forward to at school. She is determined to be President George Washington—she is perfect for the lead part, after all. But when Mandy’s teacher makes a surprising choice, it looks like Mandy will have to keep sharing the spotlight. Can she find her own way to shine?
Mandy has some valuable life lessons to learns in this adorable chapter book—including the fact that white pants and polka dot underwear are never a good combination.
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful.
Very funny book for kids
By John Gallacher
My son loved this book. He called me at work when he finished it and told me it was SO FUNNY! Cover image seems girl-oriented but the book is not. Great for 3rd-4th grade readers.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful.Be careful what you wish for
By Nancy Hoffmann
Mandy Berr knows her own mind, and it frustrates her to be thwarted by dull classmates, a noisy household and newborn twins. How can she carry out her desires and wishes for periwinkle clothes, the best part in a school play , and the quiet she once had as the oldest child. Readers who are themselves oldest children will adore finding in Mandy a friend who understands the need to assert their wishes and maintain the attention they once had. Some will also sympathize with the classroom situations Mandy feels constrained by. I know I did. But we cheer when Mandy begins to work these frustrations out, and move away from her angry and petulant moods. You'll find out just how when you read this clever and surprising book.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful.
A good story for children who are experiencing their own struggles with expanding families, classroom structure and friends.
By Gaele
Mandy is a cleverly voiced and strong-willed young girl who is going through every first-born's issues both in school and at home. The lunch recess monitors don't let them play the "best" games ever, she can't do a cartwheel, and she can't find out if she gets to be George Washington for her school pageant. Most importantly, she has to wear white pants, which she just knows will get dirty, or something spilled on them.When direct sunlight reveals a new mishap that she hadn't thought of, and the worst boy in school sees she is wearing polka dot underwear, she just knows her mother knows nothing.Cleverly penned, Mandy's point of view is clear and typically eight years old. Mixing some humor with self-pity and necessary lessons in proper behaviour, patience and even friendship, this was a cleverly written story. Vaguely reminiscent of the Ramona Quimby stories, the language and scenes are completely age appropriate and easy to learn from, with Mandy as both entertainment and teacher. A good story for children who are experiencing their own struggles with expanding families, classroom structure and friends.I received an ARC copy from the publisher via Edelweiss for purpose of honest review as part of Children Read week at I am, Indeed. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
