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Miss Nelson Is Missing (by Harry Allard)

common sense media says

Top-notch tale of teacher from the dark side.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that kids will have fun reading this book while they learn the lesson of appreciating others and the value of discipline. Marshall's artwork provides lots of laughs.

Positive messages: Children are rowdy and rude, but are later transformed into disciplined, polite little people.
Violence & scariness: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
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More on Miss Nelson Is Missing

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the characters in the story. Which are your favorite characters? How does the author make unlikable characters so funny?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Miss Nelson, a sweet and shrewd teacher who has to deal with a wild class of schoolkids, makes her winning picture-book debut. Harry Allard's wit and James Marshall's illustrations make this top-notch tale of the substitute teacher from the dark side a hilarious hit.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Allard delivers a crowd pleaser with his rowdy students and a substitute teacher that kids love to hate. His deadpan writing style underscores his comedy; school-age kids will be laughing out loud. Marshal's expressive and colorful pen, ink, and wash illustrations escalate silliness levels; he personifies mischievousness in the kids, kindness in Miss Nelson and vileness in Swamp.

The point that runs through the story -- that you ought to treat others with respect and consideration -- is clear yet tactfully unspoken. Along with the jokes, children seem to intuitively appreciate that the story could come true.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Harry Allard
Illustrator: James Marshall
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Children's Books
Publication date: January 1, 1977
Number of pages: 32
Paperback price: $5.95
This review was written by Peter Lewis
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

nerdgirl96
teen, 15 years old
2
 
awesome!! I love this book!!
Man, this is nostalgia inducing. This used to be one of my favorites. I used to like that you could go back through once you knew what happened and see the clues and foreshadowing. Definitely a good one.
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helped me decide (7) | had useful details (8) | read my mind (8)
bananagirl
kid, 13 years old
2
 
Awesome for everyone!
I love this book! My school is doing it as a play and it has an awesome message! The pictures are lol as well!
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was this review useful?
helped me decide (5) | had useful details (5) | read my mind (5)

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