{"id":26632,"date":"2015-03-18T22:36:57","date_gmt":"2015-03-19T02:36:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=26632"},"modified":"2015-03-18T22:36:57","modified_gmt":"2015-03-19T02:36:57","slug":"review-of-completely-clementine-by-sara-pennypacker","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=26632","title":{"rendered":"Review of Completely Clementine, by Sara Pennypacker"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"completely_clementine_large\"<\/a>Completely Clementine<\/em><\/p>\n

by Sara Pennypacker
\npictures by Marla Frazee<\/p>\n

Disney Hyperion Books, New York, March 2015. 178 pages.
\nStarred Review<\/p>\n

The only thing awful about a new Clementine book coming out is that it looks suspiciously like the final book in the series. I do not want to say good-by to Clementine any more than she wants to say good-by to her teacher, Mr. D\u2019Matz.<\/p>\n

Yes, Clementine is finishing up her third grade year. I like the way Marla Frazee has even drawn her on the cover looking older. Though I read the book in an advance reader\u2019s copy, and will definitely have to check out the final version in order to appreciate Marla Frazee\u2019s always brilliant finished art.<\/p>\n

The big drama of this book is that Clementine is not speaking to her father. He ate meat loaf, and Clementine has become a passionate vegetarian. She won\u2019t speak to her father, but she will draw him pictures of sad animals in terror of being eaten.<\/p>\n

Some big things happen in this book that were anticipated in earlier books. Margaret\u2019s mother is getting married. Clementine\u2019s friend Joe has grown. School is letting out for the summer. And Clementine\u2019s mother is about to have her baby.<\/p>\n

When I first heard about a new baby coming, I wanted it to have a food name. My name is a fruit, which I used to hate but now I like. I call my brother vegetable names to make it fair, which he used to hate but now he likes too. So I thought our new brother or sister should have a food name too, so he or she wouldn\u2019t feel left out.<\/p>\n

My dad said yes, because he\u2019d always wanted a kid named Noodle. \u201cIt\u2019s so good,\u201d he pleaded, \u201cfor either a boy or a girl!\u201d But my mother said Absolutely not!<\/em><\/p>\n

Then I tried a compromise, which means nobody wins, but nobody loses, either. \u201cHow about a thing-name then? Let\u2019s give the baby a name that\u2019s also a thing, at least.\u201d<\/p>\n

My father loved this idea too. My mother rolled her eyes at all his suggestions: Lug Nut, Pencil, Q-tip, and Noodle again. But she didn\u2019t hate the thing-name idea. \u201cDawn,\u201d she said, \u201cthat\u2019s a lovely name. Or maybe Colt, if it\u2019s a boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo do you want to hear them?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe later. We still have two weeks. I have a feeling the perfect name will show up by then.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

And it\u2019s not really a spoiler to say that indeed it does.<\/p>\n

This is a grand completion to a wonderful series especially right for second and third graders. (But which adults also can\u2019t help but love. So if you\u2019re looking for a wonderful read-aloud, look no further.)<\/p>\n

sarapennypacker.com<\/a>
\nmarlafrazee.com<\/a>
\nDisneyBooks.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Buy from Amazon.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Find this review on Sonderbooks<\/a> at: www.sonderbooks.com\/Childrens_Fiction\/completely_clementine.html<\/a><\/p>\n

Disclosure: I am an Amazon Affiliate, and will earn a small percentage if you order a book on Amazon after clicking through from my site.<\/p>\n

Source: This review is based on an Advance Reader Copy I got at ALA Midwinter Meeting.<\/p>\n

Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but I maintain my website and blogs on my own time. The views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.<\/p>\n

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