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EllRay Jakes Is a Rock Star!
- By Sally Warner
- Genre: School
Common Sense Media says
Third-grader's struggle to look cool gets him in trouble.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this is the second book in Sally Warner's EllRay Jakes series, following EllRay Jakes is Not a Chicken. Another installment, EllRay Jakes Walks the Plank, is coming. Warner has also written several novels centering on Emma, one of EllRay's classmates. EllRay encounters realistic playground situations, including moderate kid meanness, bragging, and physical threats (though no actual violence), but situations are described in a light, humorous tone. EllRay's worst moments at school include being blackmailed into washing his hands in the girls' bathroom, and into giving a Valentine bouquet to a girl in his class.
What's the story?
When a third-grade bragging contest among students in his class makes EllRay Jakes feel small (literally and figuratively), he decides he needs a way to capture his friends' attention. While his dad, a geologist, is away at a conference, EllRay "borrows" part of his father's prized crystal collection to show his class. Unfortunately, EllRay gets so carried away by feeling like a "rock star," that he actually gives the crystals away to his adoring fans. EllRay's father comes home to find his specimen shelf depleted, and EllRay must confess his crime and face the embarrassment of taking back his "gifts."
Is it any good?
ELLRAY JAKES IS A ROCK STAR is not long on details or character development -- half a dozen two-dimensional third-graders are rapidly introduced in the first couple of pages. However, EllRay's situation in his peer group seems realistic, and the feelings of guilt and confusion EllRay faces definitely hit home. Warner's humorous approach to playground struggles, and the structure of the book -- with the narrative broken up by the mental lists that EllRay makes -- keep things light and engaging for middle-grade readers.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about how EllRay knows it's wrong to steal, and he knows that the crystals mean a lot to his dad, but he takes them anyway because he desperately wants to impress the other kids at school. Afterward, he feels alone with his guilty, scared feelings. Parents can remind kids that it's more important to do the right thing than to be popular or cool, and make sure they know that adults can help them navigate confusing situations.
When EllRay's dad finds out that his son gave six crystals away, he demands that EllRay retrieve the crystals, or Mr. Jakes will visit the school himself to ask for them back. EllRay is already pretty embarrassed, but then Jared won't return his crystal unless Ellray washes his hands in the girls' restroom. And Cynthia wants a Valentine bouquet in exchange for hers. Do you think EllRay was treated fairly? What would you do if you were in EllRay's shoes?
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| Author: | Sally Warner |
| Illustrator: | Jamie Harper |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | School |
| Publisher: | Viking |
| Publication date: | September 15, 2011 |
| Number of pages: | 116 |
| Hardcover price: | $14.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 4 - 8 |
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