Shelly Speagle LRE 5130/#17 Fall 2004/Borders

A. Title A Fine,Fine School B. Author Sharon Creech C. Illustrator Harry Bliss D. Publisher Harper Collins Publishers E. Age range K-3

F. Summary Mr. Keene is an overly enthusiastic principle. He loves his school so much that he decides there should be school on the weekends, holidays, and during the summer. The children and teachers do not want to come to school more but don’t want to tell Mr. Keene because he is so proud of them. Tillie, a young girl, teaches Mr. Keene that he has gone to far and that she needs time to play with her brother and dog. Everyone is happy when Mr. Keene returns to normal school hours.

G. Response Is Mr. Keene a member of Catawba County school board? How much is too much? I don’t thing there is any concerned parent or teacher that doesn’t think about this issue. My daughter is a sixteen-year-old honor student and two-sport varsity athlete. However, she goes to school when she is sick. Why? She is concerned if she misses she will be punished. I know many children don’t attend as needed. However, we are encouraging sick children to attend school. If you miss two days, you have to take the final exam. It doesn’t matter if you have a 100 average. Have we gone too far? Yes. The pictures were simple and powerful. Mr. Keene looked like my elementary principal or do I remember him correctly. The dog was an important character. The pictures of Beans were very realistic. I am sure children will appreciate these characters.

H. Teaching Ideas Should we go to school more? Ask the children to write and complete a school survey. Children need to be taught to study. This book could encourage children to develop helpful study skills. How do you spend your time? What is valuable? Ask the children to explore these important issues.

I. Culture Elementary schools

J. Genre Picture book

K. Awards Newberry Medal winning author Irma S. and James H. Black Award for Excellence in Children’s Literature Honor Book Book Sense 76 Pick California Young Reader Medal