
Miss Nelson Has a Field Day
By Peter Lewis,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Funny twist will enthrall kids.
Add your rating
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this book.
Where to Read
Community Reviews
There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
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.
Talk to Your Kids 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?
Book Details
- Author: Harry Allard
- Illustrator: James Marshall
- Genre: School
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Children's Books
- Publication date: January 1, 1985
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 4 - 7
- Number of pages: 32
- Last updated: July 12, 2017
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Read
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate