Bibsy Cross and the Bad Apple

by Liz Garton Scanlon Narrated by Brittany Pressley

Overview

Meet Bibsy Cross, the precocious eight-year-old heroine of this charming chapter book series, as she navigates a relationship with a teacher who thinks that Bibsy is just too much.

A KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR

Most things are easy-peasy, regular-pegular for Bibsy Cross. She loves her parents, her cat, her best friend, Natia. And she loves going to school. She might just love that most of all!

This year, Bibsy has Mrs. Stumper for a teacher... and Mrs. Stumper doesn't seem too keen on Bibsy. She thinks Bibsy talks too much--especially about her science fair project.

But one day, when Bibsy talks a little too much, and goes a stone too far, Mrs. Stumper punishes her by punching a hole in her paper apple that hangs in the classroom. And Bibsy is devastated.

How can she make the best science fair project when she feels so rotten?

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

★ "[A] poignant depiction of a child coming to terms with an uncomprehending adult, a trajectory that takes Bibsy from befuddlement to despair to speaking truth to power." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

★ "Pitch-perfect writing, a charming protagonist, and relatable conflict—what more could readers ask for?" —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ Scanlon’s story, which is written in conversational free verse, combines an exuberant, endearing protagonist with an empowering, STEM-focused plot....Hopefully many more adventures will follow." —BookPage, starred review

"This new early chapter-book series starter offers readers a likable protagonist, believable problems, short chapters, and frequent artwork." —Booklist

"This is a fine story of friendship and individuality—sprinkled with some engaging science." —School Library Journal

Kirkus Reviews

★ 2024-04-05
Trouble with an insensitive teacher threatens an enthusiastic 8-year-old’s love of school in this series starter.

Third grade looks rocky for Bibsy Cross. For the first time, she and her best friend, Natia, aren’t in the same class. And Bibsy’s new teacher, Mrs. Stumper, seems to sigh with irritation every time Bibsy raises her hand. Granted, Bibsy has a tendency to “go on” just “a stone too far,” as her teacher puts it. But Bibsy has a such a font of interesting information and a yen to share it! Mrs. Stumper indicates her displeasure by moving the paper apple bearing Bibsy’s name to the bottom of the bulletin board. The teacher grows increasingly exasperated until the dreadful Wednesday when the apple isn’t just plucked, but hole-punched. On Friday, Bibsy will have to take her apple home to be signed by her parents. Garton’s prose is marked by whimsy, enchanting turns of phrase, and an intuitive understanding of how children perceive the world. Bibsy’s empathy (she worries for a classmate whose apple is often grounded) and her willingness to make the best of a bad situation (or to turn “sours” sweet, in Bibsy’s words) make her a winsome protagonist. Gracefully composed, two-color illustrations and line breaks make for even faster page-turning. Bibsy and Mrs. Stumper appear light-skinned in the art; Natia presents Black.

Pitch-perfect writing, a charming protagonist, and relatable conflict—what more could readers ask for? (Chapter book. 6-9)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940159181589
Publisher:	Penguin Random House
Publication date:	06/11/2024
Series:	Bibsy Cross , #1
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

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