An A From Miss Keller

by Patricia Polacco, Patricia Polacco (Illustrator)

Overview

How did Patricia Polacco become a writer?
 
A perfect companion to the classic Thank You, Mr. Falker, The Art of Miss Chew, and Mr. Wayne’s Masterpiece, this book celebrates a teacher who inspired a young Patricia Polacco to become the writer and storyteller she is today.
 
Trisha is nervous about being chosen for Miss Keller’s writing class. “Killer Keller” demands that her students dazzle her with their writing, and rumor has it that she has never given an A. The rumors turn out to be all too true—there’s just no pleasing Miss Keller. Then an unexpected loss leaves Trisha heartbroken. Thoughts of teachers and grades forgotten, she pours out her soul in a personal narrative. And when Miss Keller reads it, she tells Trisha, “You’ve given your words wings.”

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780399166914
Publisher:	Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date:	09/29/2015
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	332,297
Product dimensions:	8.70(w) x 11.10(h) x 0.60(d)
Lexile:	700L (what's this?)
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

About the Author

Patricia Polacco (www.patriciapolacco.com) is the beloved New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of over fifty picture books. She visits as many as two hundred classrooms in a single year, not only speaking but listening to the hundreds of children that she meets. Grateful for what teachers have done for her, she is also a popular keynote speaker celebrating teachers everywhere. She lives in Union City, Michigan, where she enjoys speaking to the myriad children who come to visit her and the famous meteor, the object of one of Patricia’s best-known stories.

Editorial Reviews

Polacco introduces readers to another inspirational teacher from her past in this inspiring tale. . . . This story from the author’s life, colorfully illustrated with pencils and markers in her signature style, is affecting, engaging, and informative.”—Booklist

“Polacco’s colorful illustrations are engaging, with pencil lines used in the characters’ facial expressions to evoke a range of emotion. . . . Add Miss Keller to Polacco’s collection of inspirational teachers, including Mr. Falker, Mr. Lincoln, and Miss Chew.”—School Library Journal

“Inspired by Polacco’s experience growing up and the teacher who encouraged her to write, students can relate to Tricia’s experience and struggle in trying to please a teacher who seems impossible to please.”—School Library Connection

From the Publisher

10/01/2015
Gr 1–4—Trisha is nervous about taking Miss Keller's advanced writing class. True to the rumors, this teacher is tough, taking pains to critique Trisha's lack of emotional connection in her writing. Trisha visits with her neighbor Pop for encouragement, and he shares stories about his beloved wife and sons, who also took Killer Keller's writing class. After learning of Pop's death by sudden heart attack, Trisha writes down her feelings without worrying about her grade, and Miss Keller tells Trisha she has "given [her] words wings," finally earning an "A." The text maintains a conversational tone throughout ("Guess what?" and "She actually hugged me!") to tell this personal story of loss and growth. Polacco's colorful illustrations are engaging, with pencil lines used in the characters' facial expressions to evoke a range of emotion, from Miss Keller's birdlike scrutiny to Trisha's anxiety and heartbreaking grief. The middle school setting may make this text-heavy picture book better suited for independent reading or for sharing with older children. Add Miss Keller to Polacco's collection of inspirational teachers, including Mr. Falker, Mr. Lincoln, and Miss Chew. VERDICT A recommended general purchase, especially where longer picture books are needed.—Hannah Farmer, Seguin Public Library, TX

School Library Journal

2015-05-12
There are now a half-dozen stories by Polacco about teachers who made a difference for her as she grew up. This one is about "Killer Keller," who never gave an A to anyone and whose students did not always last out the semester. Young Patricia is honored to be chosen for Miss Keller's writing class, but she is also intimidated by the teacher's booming, Southern-accented voice and imperious manner. Young would-be writers will be awed, as Patricia was, by Miss Keller's regal bearing, red lipstick, long red fingernails, and by her uncompromising approach. For her first homework assignment for Miss Keller, Patricia writes an essay, pouring out three pages of affectionate details about her family and home. She is stung to have her "masterpiece" dismissed due to a surfeit of "love"s. Patricia's next-door neighbor, Pop, a retired baker, comforts her at the end of the day and tells her a story of Killer Keller, Pop's thesaurus, and one of Pop's own sons. How Patricia eventually earns that A is as heart-tugging as all of Polacco's family-based tales; it is sentimental to be sure, but it is brought to life by the author's pencil-and-marker illustrations, featuring her characteristically exaggerated and expressive line and color. Patricia's dejection and subsequent triumph come through loud and clear. Equally sound as inspiration and writing advice, this tale fits neatly in Polacco's oeuvre. (Picture book. 6-12)

Kirkus Reviews