Dear Whiskers
Written by Ann Whitehead Nagda
Illustrated by Stephanie Roth
Reviewed by Nina M. (age 8)
Have you ever felt so embarrassed that your face turned as red as a tomato, tears burned your eyes and your throat felt like it was slowly closing? Well Jenny has! In her third grade class.
This book is about a third grader named Jenny. Jenny’s teacher gave a fun assignment; each student in the third grade would send a note to a student in the second grade. Everyone gets someone different. Susan got a boy named Daniel. Richard had picked a boy named Eric. Kevin groaned because he picked a girl. Jenny picked a girl named Sameera. Jenny was disappointed because she was the only student to pick out a girl with a weird name! Jenny wrote: “Dear Sameera, I am a mouse. I live in your desk. Sincerely Whiskers,” When they received the replies from the second grade, their teacher Miss. Steele insisted they read the notes out loud. When Jenny read Sameera’s reply she was upset and confused. “Dear Whiskers, No mouse…..In desk. No mouse in desk!” written in horrible handwriting!! After she read the note aloud …. Her cheeks turned red and she started to choke up. Jenny felt rejected; the worst part was it was all a misunderstanding!! If you want to find out if Sameera starts to send nice notes or if they become best friends read the book, you won’t be disappointed.
My favorite part was reading the notes that Sameera and Jenny sent to each other back and forth. I thought it looked like a lot of fun. I was thinking I wish I was in the book with them writing notes. It was also interesting to watch how Jenny’s opinion changed as she got to know Sameera. I like this book because it had many surprises and unexpected funny things happened. I was really surprised that Sameera didn't play along with Jenny and pretend a mouse lived in her desk. As the story unfolds you will find out what is or isn't wrong with Sameera. While I read this book I just could not put it down until I was done!
I recommend this book to people who like school books and a lot of very funny surprising situations. It is very funny, and it is a book that made me think that it was made for laughing and laughing only!!!!