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bickie's review against another edition
4.0
Cody has a hard time waiting for her best friend Spencer to arrive; he is going to be living nearby at his grandmother's house! Cody is a girl of action, not patience; but she is also a girl of kindness and best intentions. Cody takes Spencer under her wing (a little domineeringly), and she is a little surprised when he has a different reaction to her nightmare teacher from last year. She is also confused when he seems to make quick friends with her best school friend, Pearl, leaving Cody feeling a little left out. Cody and Spencer deal with his next-door neighbor bully children together .
I really liked several things about this book: loving families with various diverse situations (divorced, married but living with grandmother, married but dad away as truck driver frequently), illustrations interpret one family as black though left open in the story, Cody's usually kind older brother, Cody's kindness to Maxie. Short chapters keep the book from being overwhelming to intermediate readers.
I'm not sure whether younger readers will resonate with the larger themes. Best for ages 8-10
Spoiler
, and by the end, everyone gets alongI really liked several things about this book: loving families with various diverse situations (divorced, married but living with grandmother, married but dad away as truck driver frequently), illustrations interpret one family as black though left open in the story, Cody's usually kind older brother, Cody's kindness to Maxie. Short chapters keep the book from being overwhelming to intermediate readers.
I'm not sure whether younger readers will resonate with the larger themes. Best for ages 8-10
kelleemoye's review against another edition
5.0
Full review with teaching tools: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=9806
I loved this one as much as the first one. (P.S. You don’t have to read the first one to enjoy this one, but they are both so good you should read both.) What I love most about the books is that Cody and Spencer and their families and the secondary characters are just so flawed and familiar and real. What I love second most about the book is how Tricia Springstubb writes. It is lyrical yet to the point. Beautiful yet not fluffy. See my example below. What I love third most about the book is the humor. Cody is one funny young lady!
Cody’s story this time revolves around two things: Spencer moving nearby and things not going as expected and the mystery behind the Meens, the bullying girls who live next to Spencer. Springstubb navigates both of these topics (bullying and friendship) with ease along with other minor topics like family and identity which makes Cody’s story perfect for all young readers because they will either relate or be able to use the story to help them in the future.
I loved this one as much as the first one. (P.S. You don’t have to read the first one to enjoy this one, but they are both so good you should read both.) What I love most about the books is that Cody and Spencer and their families and the secondary characters are just so flawed and familiar and real. What I love second most about the book is how Tricia Springstubb writes. It is lyrical yet to the point. Beautiful yet not fluffy. See my example below. What I love third most about the book is the humor. Cody is one funny young lady!
Cody’s story this time revolves around two things: Spencer moving nearby and things not going as expected and the mystery behind the Meens, the bullying girls who live next to Spencer. Springstubb navigates both of these topics (bullying and friendship) with ease along with other minor topics like family and identity which makes Cody’s story perfect for all young readers because they will either relate or be able to use the story to help them in the future.
yapha's review against another edition
4.0
Fun book with a great look at the changing dynamics between friends and family. Recommended for grades 2 and up. It is not necessary to read the first book, but it helps.
frankisib's review against another edition
4.0
A good new series for transitional readers. Great characters.
thomasray's review
3.0
This is a very very children's book. That does not make it bad. If you're looking for something for your child or maybe younger sibling to read, this is a really good book. It's also really short.
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