Miss Nelson Has a Field Day

Review

Common Sense Media says

Funny twist will enthrall kids.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

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Kids say

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Miss Nelson and Viola Swamp make an amusing and endearing pair.

  • Positive messages0
    The football team goofs around and makes fun of Principal Blandsworth, but becomes serious and disciplined under Miss Swamp's direction.
  • Violence & scariness0
    Coach Armstrong "cracks up," but recovers after a needed rest.
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What's the story?

Viola Swamp returns to run a light-hearted chill up children's spines. An unruly football team is amazed at the obedience and achievement it gains under her tutelage. Allard puts a twist in the plot to make this third Miss Nelson offering as fresh and fun as the first.

Is it any good?

 

How smart of Harry Allard to throw a wrench into readers' expectations. Just when they think they have the Nelson-Swamp routine down, the two are on the same page. James Marshall gives clues throughout, with sets of twin students, in his expressive, cartoon-style illustrations. He draws a marvelously befuddled Mr. Blandsworth and a frazzled Coach; Viola Swamp is rendered in all her potato-nose, aggressive-chin glory and Miss Nelson looks like the likeable teacher every child wants.

The direct writing serves to underline both the comedy and the points taken on personal responsibility and will power.

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What families can talk about

Families can talk about will power. Why is the football team doing so poorly? What did they really need to turn their luck around?

This review was written by Peter Lewis

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This review was written by Peter Lewis
Author:Harry Allard
Illustrator:James Marshall
Book type:Fiction
Genre:School
Publisher:Houghton Mifflin Children's Books
Publication date:January 1, 1985
Number of pages:32
Paperback price:$5.95
Publisher's recommended age(s):4 - 7
This review was written by Peter Lewis
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
Our child development rating guidelines

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