Common Sense Media Review
By Barbara Schultz
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Third-grader's struggle to look cool gets him in trouble.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 7+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
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?
This book 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.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how EllRay knows it's wrong to steal, but he takes them anyway because he desperately wants to impress the other kids at school. 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.
Do you think EllRay was treated fairly? What would you do if you were in EllRay's shoes?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Jamie Harper
- Genre : School
- Topics : Friendship , STEM
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Viking
- Publication date : September 15, 2011
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 4 - 8
- Number of pages : 116
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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