Third Grade Mix-Up

by Michele Jakubowski, Luisa Montalto (Illustrator)

Overview

When Sidney Fletcher moves to Oak Grove, things get a little strange for Sydney Greene. Not only does Sydney share a name with a boy, but he's in her third-grade class! From first-day-of-school problems to Halloween drama, Sidney and Sydney quickly become friends. Who says boys and girls can't get along?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781479522613
Publisher:	Capstone
Publication date:	03/01/2013
Series:	Sidney & Sydney
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	128
File size:	26 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	6 - 8 Years

About the Author

Working at a school (and having two of her own children) gives Michele Jakubowski more than enough experiences to draw from when writing middle-level fiction. Michele has also written other popular books in the Sidney & Sydney series and the Perfectly Poppy early chapter book set. Michele lives in Powell, Ohio, with her husband, John, and their children, Jack and Mia.
Luisa Montalto worked at an independent comics magazine before becoming a professional illustrator in 2003. She currently lives in Rome.

Table of Contents

Can't hide from school — Fruity Frosted Loopies can't fix everything — The bus stop and Gomez Gomez — Sydney with a "Y" meets Sidney with an "I" — The scariest place on earth is the cafeteria — Weirder things have happened — A girl friend, not a girlfriend — Day two isn't as bad as day one.

Interviews

Chapter book series created for both boys and girls Story told from a boy and girl point of view, which alternate with the chapters Black & white illustrations enhance the story and create interest for the reader

Editorial Reviews

Jakubowski’s new Sidney and Sydney series starts strong here. It has the feel of real kids’ lives: playing video games, working on art projects, and having urban adventures. Just the right length for the audience, the story is accented by edgy, hilarious illustrations that features a cast of diverse characters. New fans will await the next book.

Booklist Online

This observant and humorous story is the first book in a series that refreshingly promises to appeal to both boys and girls. Sydney and Sidney alternately narrate (each chapter’s narrator is identified by an illustrative headpiece) and each of their perspectives is credible on both age and gender levels. The text moves quickly and effortlessly, and the kid-centered scenarios will resonate with middle-graders. . . .Consider this for a refreshing classroom readaloud, for mixed-gender book groups, or for encouraging more friendships that cross the middle-grade gender divide.

The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (BCCB)

A wonderful debut series by this author.

My Book Addiction Reviews blog

Good characters. The concept is interesting. Clear and easy to understand writing style, especially for children.

Review Carnival blog

The brightly-colored illustrations add to the humor of the text and enhance the young reader’s engagement with the book. . . .this chapter book will appeal to young boys and girls and is a great first-week-of-school read.

Children's Literature Comprehensive

I loved the chapter titles like Weirder Things Have Happened and The Cafeteria Is The Scariest Place On Earth. They set the young reader up for the chapter. Getting my kids to read longer books have been a challenge and I think the fun titles and pictures really add to the story!

Maria's Space blog

Told from Sidney and Sydney’s perspective, the alternating point of view, will appeal to both boys and girls. Young readers will find the story enjoyable and entertaining. As a series, young readers will look forward to the adventures these two have and look forward to each new book.

Novel Nutritious blog

There's a female character and a male character so kids can relate to at least one of the characters. . . .It's a feel-good story.

Second Bookshelf on the Right blog

This is a great early chapter book, part of the Sidney & Sydney series, that can serve as an example of mixed gender friendships told in a positive voice.

Library Media Connection

The illustrations are bright, colorful, and fun, and the story is adorable and sweet, highlighting friendship in the midst of (very minor) elementary school problems.

NetGalley Review

I read this book to my six-year-old and we both really enjoyed it. The messages are very positive: Sidney and Sydney are very different children who find common ground and become friends despite a rocky start. Sidney and Sydney consider the feelings of their friends and use creative problem-solving to make sure Halloween is fun for everyone.

On My Bookshelf blog

...Jakubowski includes lots of funny experiences in the book. . . .We recommend reading this book because it is a fun and silly book about two classmates that become the best of friends. There are lots of adventures that make the reader want to read more. We hope you and any of your elementary-aged readers choose this book to read. You will enjoy it.

Ohioana Library Association Ohioana Quarterly