Module 1 Review - Miss Malarkey leaves no reader behind

Miss Malarkey leaves no reader behind / by Judy Finchler & Kevin O'Malley.

Bibliographic Citation:

Finchler, J. & O’Malley, K. (2006). Miss Malarkey leaves no reader behind. New York, NY: Walker & Company.

Summary:

The principal, Mr. Wiggins, promises to dye his hair purple and sleep on the school roof if the students read 1,000 books during the school year. Miss Malarkey, a teacher, sets out to make readers of all the students in her class, even those that have no interest in reading. One by one, she gets to know her students and presents them with books to read that peak their interest. One of her students rejects every book she gives him. At the very end of the school year, she finally finds a book that sucks him in.

Impressions:

Non-readers or unengaged readers are common, but I think with some effort to find a book of interest, every student can become a reader. That’s what Miss Malarkey did in the story, it took all year, but she put the effort in to determine what interested her students and then sought out books they could read. She did not give up if a book wasn’t a good fit, she kept searching.

Library Use Suggestions:

As a librarian, I think this would be a good read this at the beginning of the school year. I would start a discussion with students about what Miss Malarkey did to make sure all students read a book. I would ask students to share subjects they are interested in. I would take their interests into consideration and get to know them better individually so that I could make quality book suggestions for them.

Reviews:

During the first week of school, Principal Wiggins promises that if the students read 1000 books by June 12, he will dye his hair purple and sleep on the roof. Miss Malarkey tells her class that they will be doing the Everybody Reads in America program and promises that all of the students will find books they love before the end of the school year. She picks some for each of them, engaging even reluctant readers. One boy remains unable to find a book he likes until June 10, when Miss Malarkey chooses one that has aliens, race cars, funny jokes, chewing gum, hot sauce, and cannonballs. It becomes number 1001 read by the students and the story ends with everyone wishing Principal Wiggins (whose hair is now purple) a good night on the roof. This title will resonate with those who choose math, video games, and sports over books. O'Malley's illustrations, done in markers and colored pencils, enhance the text with expressive pictures of the students and their teacher as they explore (or choose not to explore) the joys of reading. The illustrations lend humor and credibility to the reluctance of some of the students. A must-have for all libraries.-Rebecca Sheridan, Easttown Library & Information Center, Berwyn, PA

Sheridan, R. (2006, August 1). Miss Malarkey Leaves No Reader Behind [Review of the book Miss Malarkey Leaves No Reader Behind, by J. Finchler & K. O’Malley]. School Library Journal Reviews 52(8), 81.