Miss Nelson Is Back
By Peter Lewis,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Humorous tale of mistaken identity.
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What's the Story?
When Miss Nelson has to have her tonsils removed, her mischievous class takes advantage of their substitute teacher, Mr. Blandsworth. It takes Miss Nelson's ultra-ego Viola Swamp to get those bratty kids back in line in this humorous tale of mistaken identity. James Marshall's witty illustrations add to the fun.
Is It Any Good?
One piece of ridiculousness is piled upon another, like kindling, until readers spontaneously burst into laughter. The scene where Viola Swamp, sporting a Miss Nelson mask, confounds the dimwitted Mr. Blandsworth is priceless. James Marshall gets it oh-so right with his joyously silly, expressive pen-and-wash artwork. Readers can feel the glee coming off the page when the kids realize they have pulled a fast one on Mr. Blandsworth, and the marvelous Miss Nelson is like a Buddha in her serenity and wisdom.
This story cracked up a group of 5-year-olds -- who have not yet spent a day in kindergarten -- though there was a pause in their laughter every time a new shadow appeared behind the pane of frosted glass in the classroom door. Who's coming to substitute for Miss Nelson? Yikes!
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the lesson taught to the class. What did they ultimately learn from Miss Swamp?
Book Details
- Author: Harry Allard
- Illustrator: James Marshall
- Genre: School
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Children's Books
- Publication date: January 1, 1982
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 4 - 7
- Number of pages: 32
- Last updated: July 12, 2017
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