Finchler, J. & O'Malley, K. (2006). Miss Malarkey leaves no reader behind. New York: Walker & Company.
Summary
Miss Malarkey's school is on a mission to read 1,000 books this year. One student in her class, however, hates reading and doesn't understand what's so great about it. Miss Malarkey promises to find a book he will love by the end of the year, so each month she gives him a new book to read. Although he tries to like the books, he still hates reading and would rather play video games with his friends. As the year progresses, Miss Malarkey helps everyone—including his video game-living friends—find a book they love to read, and as the school closes in on their goal he is frustrated that he has yet to find a spark of interest in a book. Miss Malarkey sends him home with one last book to try, with a promise it would be the one. Late that night, his parents found him with a flashlight under his covers because he could not put the book down! Because he helped his school reach their goal of reading 1,000 books, he thoroughly enjoyed seeing his purple-haired principal sleeping on the roof of the school.
Worth a bookmark?
Because this book was told through the voice of a student its message is more meaningful to kids. The theme of this book reminded me, a comical way, of NCLB, but the approach to truly leaving no reader behind is much more child-friendly! The illustrations deepen the story by showing emotions of the characters. They even add some comic-strip-like dialogue that really catches a young reader's attention. This is the first Miss Malarkey book I have read, and I will certainly read others!
In my library…
I could use this as a fun way to welcome students to the library each fall. This story a great way to show students that they do not have to like every book they pick up, and that I am there to help them find the perfect book for them. It is also a wonderful reminder to teachers and students alike to never give up because the perfect book really is out there for everyone.
Reviews
It's not just beginners who struggle with reading. Though his school is involved in a year-long challenge—if the students read 1,000 books Principal Wiggins will dye his hair purple and sleep on the roof—one boy prefers playing video games to perusing pages. Still, his enthusiastic teacher is determined to find the perfect book for each student, and though it takes until spring, the young narrator finally gets hooked, staying up late into the night to read book 1,001. Judy Finchler and Kevin O'Malley's wittily illustrated Miss Malarkey Leaves No Reader Behind (Walker, 2006) blends realism with touches of silliness to create a lively tale that will engage and amuse readers both reluctant and devoted. (K-Gr 4) Joy Fleishhacker, Curriculum Connections -- School Library Journal, 9/1/2009
