Parents' Guide to

Bookmarks Are People Too!: Here's Hank, Book 1

By Darienne Stewart, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 6+

Boy finds smart ways to overcome challenges in fun story.

Book Henry Winkler , Lin Oliver Friendship 2014
Bookmarks Are People Too!: Here's Hank, Book 1 Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

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age 7+

Based on 1 parent review

Anne B.
Anne B. Parent of 7 and 10-year-old
March 6, 2018
age 7+

Silly fun and more legible type - what else could a second grader ask for?

In first grade, my son liked to have stories read to him - but the other way around - not so much. He'd read a half a page and get tired out or need to take turns partner reading with a parent. To boost his interest in second grade, we tried reading some stories set in zany school settings, like the My Weird School Series, by Dan Gutman. A good start. This book is a gem. It's not that the story is AMAZING, it's that it's totally ACCESSIBLE. Great vocabulary, goofy, relatable, and in a font that my son reports is a lot easier to read (more bottom heavy instead of fashioned on quill-pen-writing styles, which renders many other fonts outdated). He read 6, 9, and 5 pages aloud three days running. Then, he brought another Here's Hank book home from the school library. For him to see himself as actually reading chapter books is pure gold. Thanks, Hank, for being so darned regular. It's great to see a series with the full range of emotions kids experience socially and in school at this age. It's not all roses and that reflects life and builds resilience.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
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What's the Story?

Hank Zipzer is nervous about the upcoming second-grade play: Reading the script would be nearly impossible for him. His friends Frankie and Ashley help him prepare for his audition as Aqua Fly. But when his time comes, Hank can't make sense of any of the words in the script and buzzes helplessly. He loses the part to Nick, the class bully, and his teacher creates a new role for Hank as a bookmark. Hank turns his passive role into a scene stealer. Nick's furious and tries unsuccessfully to sabotage Hank. When Nick is overwhelmed by stage fright, Hank recites Nick's lines from memory and saves the play.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (1 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

HERE'S HANK: BOOKMARKS ARE PEOPLE TOO! shows that you can't judge a book by its cover; this story definitely has some heart. A routine assignment for most kids is overwhelming for Hank, but he clearly has smarts and talent to spare. Co-author Henry Winkler's books are inspired by his own experience with dyslexia, and he and Lin Oliver have a plucky, creative hero in Hank. Scott Garrett's fun artwork helps bring the characters to life.

Hank enjoys supportive friends and relatives aside from his father, who means well but is a little harsh with his son. The bully character, however, strikes a sour note. Much of Nick's bullying happens in front of adults, who are only minimally responsive. And the taunts go both ways: Hank is just as quick to cut down Nick. When Nick freezes onstage, just as Hank did during auditions, there's no empathy for a young kid with stage fright -- only teasing. This may be a truthful reflection of elementary school, but it's disappointing not to see a better model on how to deal with bullies.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about bullying. How would you deal with someone like Nick? Would you tell a teacher or other trusted adult if you saw someone being bullied?

  • Why are books about school so popular? Can you relate to Hank or any of the aspects of the story?

  • How do Frankie, Hank's dad, and other people in Hank's life help him when he's struggling?

Book Details

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