Reviews

Clementine by Sara Pennypacker

gabbygarcia's review

funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

This book is so sweet! I read it as a child and wanted to pick it up again—it’s one of those books that’s good for every age. Hilarious, sweet, and character-driven. One of my favorite parts was the focus on the many characters in Clementine’s world: her parents and her brother, her friend, Margaret, and Margaret’s family, the people who live in her apartment building, her principal at school... You see every character so clearly through Clementine’s eyes, and it’s so fun! 

It’s a lighthearted story, but it also deals with some more complex issues: the loss of a pet, issues with friends, trouble concentrating at school, self-acceptance, comparison, and family.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal death

karenteach2626's review against another edition

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

orchardoriole's review against another edition

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

waltan's review

3.0

Cute!

emslovestoread's review against another edition

4.0

Just finished reading this aloud to my third graders...they LOVED it! It's perfect for the classroom, and I thoroughly enjoyed it as well.

rllort's review against another edition

4.0

This was a cute book that I read to Asher. (doubt he appreciated it) I hope Erin's Clementine starts calling Oscar vegetable names.

chrisiant's review against another edition

4.0

Clementine is a great little free-spirited, endearing character. I picked this up because one of my fourth-graders had it, and after leafing through a few pages I borrowed it from him for the night to finish it. I really like Clementine and her family; they are interesting to me yet totally accessible to nine year-olds. I have sympathy with Clementine and her teacher at the same time.

I also appreciate that the author conveys the family's socioeconomic status matter-of-factly and in an understated fashion. I will probably track down the rest of the series just for kicks. I totally recommend the series for the 8-10 year-old set.

tremayna's review against another edition

3.0

I loved the way the main character, Clementine was written, with her stream-of-consciousness narrative and her genuinely childlike behaviour. However, I couldn't help thinking that this book couldn't decide whether it was written for third-graders or for parents of third-graders. The story wavered between seeming episodic and plot-driven. A couple high-minded literary seemed way over the head of the average 8-year-old. And the characterization of the girls' parents, and many events in the story, seemed suited more for grade 5 or 6, while the character of Clementine behaved more like a second- than a third-grader (in my admittedly limited experience).

Still and all, a fun, quick read (for an adult!) and a great glimpse into the minds of "spirited" children.

couillac's review against another edition

4.0

I freaking love Clementine. I love how interesting and different her family is, I love that she has such a hard time being "good" in all the ways she knows she should, but her heart is always in the right place. Pennypacker goes beyond the usual early elementary hijinks to touch on real childhood concerns with the gravity that real children bring to their lives. Hilarious, thoughtful, and always fun to read.

mylene's review against another edition

I