Ratings

Content Ratings based on a 0-5 scale where
0 = no objectionable content and
5 = an excessive or disturbing level of content

Guide to Rating System

LANGUAGE

VIOLENCE

SEXUAL CONTENT

ADULT THEMES

Ratings Explanation

Adult Themes: Students feel pressured by test taking and grades.  It impacts how they view themselves.

Synopsis

Fifth grader Nora Rowley was born smart, really, really smart.  She has been doing her best all these years to keep it a secret from everyone including her parents.  She just wants to be a regular kid but feels frustrated by all the pressure placed on grades.  So she purposely gets a bad report card to make a statement.  Well, make a statement she did.  Her parents, the principle, and entire school get involved in the subject of testing and the importance placed on our grading system.

Andrew Clements has a great way of bringing school related topics to light.  In this story Nora feels tremendous pressure by being so smart.  It made her feel that she wasn’t normal.  She also saw the impact grades had on people around her, especially her friend Stephen.  Nora says, “Most kids think that if they get bad grades, it’s their problem.  But that’s not true.  The fact is, when a kid gets a bad grade, it’s like the teacher is getting a bad grade too.  And the principle.  And the whole school and the whole town and the whole state.  And don’t forget the parents.  A bad grade for a kid is a bad grade for everybody”.  This story places emphasis on the current testing and grading systems in our schools.  Tests and grades aren’t abolished in the story, but the subject allows for discussion as to the impact it has on our kids.  This book is recommended for ages 8-12.