I Am Reading: Mr. Cool: Mr. Cool - Softcover

Jacqueline Wilson is the 2005-2007 British Children's Laureate.  She is the author of more than 80 books, which have been translated into 30 languages and sold more than 20 million copies. Her books include Cookie and Kiss. She lives in London.

Gr. 1-3. Wilson's I Am Reading title is a real change from the talking animals that so often populate easy readers. Kevin's friends Mickey, Ricky, and Nicky are forming a band, and although Kevin is well aware that the others are cool and he's not, he does have something to offer--his grandmother's basement in which to practice. As the band grows famous, Kevin feels that he should drop out, but his mates stick with him, and he becomes a fan favorite despite his limited talent. Kids in first and second grade will like reading books about cool kids who seem 12 or so, and Wilson uses this interest (and word repetition) to keep them reading. Gawky Kevin resembles the child from the movie About a Boy in his oversize hand-knit sweater, and, other than the basement, seems to have little in common with his bandmates. Still, Kevin does evolve, and there's a good message about being oneself. Ilene Cooper
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