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A review by bookdragon_library
Never Swipe a Bully's Bear by Katherine Applegate
4.0
Audience whom written - age 7-10
Audience whom appeal - age 6-8 (K-2/3) - Roscoe is a 1st grader and elementary kids don’t usually like ke to read about characters a lot younger than them so I think a 4th grader maybe would have a harder time picking it up. Except for the humor might be enough to hook reluctant readers in ¾ despite the age of Roscoe.
Strengths - Great start to a book with Roscoe in a time out chair talking about what he has done wrong. Referring to the importance of stuffed animals which is relatable to most kids. The first three chapters do a great job introducing the reader to the fact that Roscoe is probably a bit of a trouble maker and that the book will have humor. Max the teasing older brother is also relateable. Black and white illustrations smattered throughout help highlight important parts of the story. Roscoes stuffed pig disappears out of his backpack at school and he thinks the class bully Wyatt took it. When Roscoe does his bear napping of Wyatts stuffed animal he describes his stomach as feeling “throw uppy” all day which shows he feels remorse and knows what he’s doing is wrong. He continues to feel guilt the whole time he has Wyatt the bully’s bear. Eventually he finds his pig and discovers it fell out of his backpack so he confesses what he did to his dad who talks to him about not assuming people are guilty of things and drives him to return the bear. The tone stays humorous throughout.
Weaknesses - it isn’t a weakness but the mom in me gets sad when the 4th grade brother is teasing him that stuffed animals are for babies not 1st graders. 1st graders are still “babies” who love their animals.
Audience whom appeal - age 6-8 (K-2/3) - Roscoe is a 1st grader and elementary kids don’t usually like ke to read about characters a lot younger than them so I think a 4th grader maybe would have a harder time picking it up. Except for the humor might be enough to hook reluctant readers in ¾ despite the age of Roscoe.
Strengths - Great start to a book with Roscoe in a time out chair talking about what he has done wrong. Referring to the importance of stuffed animals which is relatable to most kids. The first three chapters do a great job introducing the reader to the fact that Roscoe is probably a bit of a trouble maker and that the book will have humor. Max the teasing older brother is also relateable. Black and white illustrations smattered throughout help highlight important parts of the story. Roscoes stuffed pig disappears out of his backpack at school and he thinks the class bully Wyatt took it. When Roscoe does his bear napping of Wyatts stuffed animal he describes his stomach as feeling “throw uppy” all day which shows he feels remorse and knows what he’s doing is wrong. He continues to feel guilt the whole time he has Wyatt the bully’s bear. Eventually he finds his pig and discovers it fell out of his backpack so he confesses what he did to his dad who talks to him about not assuming people are guilty of things and drives him to return the bear. The tone stays humorous throughout.
Weaknesses - it isn’t a weakness but the mom in me gets sad when the 4th grade brother is teasing him that stuffed animals are for babies not 1st graders. 1st graders are still “babies” who love their animals.