The Horn Book Guide

PICTURE BOOKS

Vernick, Audrey

First Grade Dropout

32 pp. | Clarion | July, 2015 | Trade ISBN 978-0-544-12985-6 $16.99

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Matthew Cordell. Having suffered landmark mortification ("I. Called. My. Teacher. MOMMY!!!"), the narrator concludes his only option is dropping out of school. Later, friend Tyler's grace at his own derision-worthy slip-up is a revelation for the age-appropriately self-absorbed narrator. Young readers will relate and also get that he's overdoing it. Loose pen-and-ink and watercolor drawings capture the narrator's downward thought-spiral.

Reviewer: Nell Beram | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2015