After getting into a lot of trouble in just one week, Clementine overhears her parents talking about getting rid of her. Will she be able to behave herself enough to get them to change their minds?
Clementine is having a rough week. She gets sent to the principal’s office twice, Margaret’s mom is mad at her because she cut Margaret’s hair when she was only trying to help, Margaret stops speaking to her, and even her own mother gets upset with her. Clementine does not understand why she is always getting into so much trouble when all she is doing is paying attention to what is happening around her and trying to help. When she overhears her parents talking, it sounds like they might be getting rid of her because she is so difficult, so she decides to be extra good by cleaning her room, but instead of getting cleaner, it is just getting wetter. Clementine’s parents ask her what is wrong, and as tears start coming out of her eyes, she promises that she will be a better daughter, student, sister, and friend and begs them not to get rid of her. Realizing what Clementine overheard, they surprise her with a cake and a kitten they got for her for helping her dad solve a problem he was having with pigeons around their apartment building. They were never going to get rid of her after all.
I really had a blast reading this book. It made me imagine what I would do if I were in Clementine's situation. Seven- and eight-year-olds would enjoy this book because it is told from the point of view of Clementine, who is just about their age. It is a humorous story about a strong-willed girl who stands up for what she believes in and is comfortable with who she is. Children could relate to getting in trouble when it is not their fault or even when it is their fault. The story is simple to read and understand, and the black and white pictures are humorous and complement the text. The title refers to Clementine, the main character of the book. It seems that Clementine kind of likes to get attention, so I think it fits the book, story, and the character perfectly.
This book is a Boston Globe/Horn Book Honor Book, is the winner of the Bank Street/Josette Frank Award, is a Child Magazine Best Book of the Year, and a New York Times Bestseller. Other books in the Clementine series include The Talented Clementine, Clementine's Letter, and Clementine: Friend of the Week. Learn about Sara Pennypacker by visiting her website at http://www.sarapennypacker.com/index.html. Marla Frazee illustrated the books in this series. Watch a video interview with Marla Frazee at http://www.readingrockets.org/books/interviews/frazee.
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