The Recess Queen by Alexis O'Neill

Book Genre: Realistic Fiction

Publishing Info.: Scholastic Inc., 32 pages

Awards or Honors Received: This book has received many honors and has won awards for The Maryland Children's Book Award and Virginia Young Readers.

Summary: This story depicts a playground bully, Mean Jean, who everyone is afraid of. No one wants to play with Mean Jean on the playground because she beats up children and says mean things. Recess is not a fun time for these children until a new girl, Katie Sue, comes along. She is the only child who will stand up to Mean Jean, and she actually wants to be her friend. Mean Jean does not know what to think because no one ever asks her to play. Mean Jean meets her match with Katie Sue, while at the same time, finding a friend. Once Katie Sue stands up to Mean Jean, things change for the better and all of the children enjoy recess time.

Personal Rating and Reason for Rating: ****Great! This book has hilarious illustrations and uses silly words throughout the story. The text also includes some rhyming words which appeal to young readers. Young children can relate to this book because they can usually think of a time when someone was not being nice on the playground. What is so great about this book is that not only does the story show why no one likes a bully, but it also shows that even bullies want to have friends and be accepted by others. This story is a great way to practice social skills at the beginning of the year and discuss appropriate behavior on the playground.

Reading Level: 2.6

Interest Level: Pre-K-3

Possible Uses of the Text in Integrated Units of Study (Reading and Writing Across the Curriculum): This book would be a great way to introduce a lesson about treating others with respect, what it means to be a good friend, or playgroud rules. After reading the story, the students could think about a time that someone was not nice to them on the playground, or about a time when they themselves were not nice to someone on the playground. The students could illustrate and write about how they felt to be bullied, or why they have been a bully. This story could also be used as an introduction to classrom rules and the students could help the teacher write the rules for the class, if the teacher chooses to manage his/her classroom in that way.

Potential Problems or Difficulties: At this time, I can not find any potential problems or difficulties with this book.