Product Description


April is invention month. "We're going to  make our own inventions," says Ms. Rooney, "and  work together in  groups."



Though Emily Arrow knows it's important for each  group to think, listen, and share, she still wishes  she were the leader of her invention group. Linda  Lorca, the bossy leader, can't get anyone to  cooperate. "Snaggle doodles," Emily says. If  the group doesn't come up with an idea soon,  they'll be the worst group in the  class.



Meanwhile, Emily is also busy thinking of a  wedding present for Ms. Vincent, the student teacher.  The wedding is only a few days away. Emily has a lot  to do. Can she and her group learn to work  together in time?


From School Library Journal


Grade 2-4 Another slice of life from Ms. Rooney's classroom. Each group of children is to make an invention from the pile of stuff given them by Ms. Vincent, the student teacher. After several false starts, the kids cooperate to transform their cereal box, flashlight, wrench, plastic cup, socks, red belt and pink balloon into a robot that is "snaggle doodles wonderful." Again, Giff has revealed the Polk Street School kids to be irresistibly human and disarmingly normal, akin to Beverly Cleary's "Ramona" (Morrow) and her friends. Young school children will read the simple text easily and with appreciation. The black-and-white action sketches add to the fun. Katharine Bruner, Brown Middle School Library, Harrison, Tenn.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.


About the Author


Patricia Reilly
Giff has recieved the Newbery Honor for 
Pictures of Hollis Woods and
 Lily’s Crossing, which is also a 
Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor Book. 
Nory Ryan’s Song was named an ALA Best Book for Young Adults and an ALA Notable Book.


From the Publisher


April is invention month. "We're going to make our own inventions," says Ms. Rooney, "and work together in groups."

Though Emily Arrow knows it's important for each group to think, listen, and share, she still wishes she were the leader of her invention group. Linda Lorca, the bossy leader, can't get anyone to cooperate. "Snaggle doodles," Emily says. If the group doesn't come up with an idea soon, they'll be the worst group in the class.

Meanwhile, Emily is also busy thinking of a wedding present for Ms. Vincent, the student teacher. The wedding is only a few days away. Emily has a lot to do. Can she and her group learn to work together in time?


From the Inside Flap


April is invention month. "We're going to make our own inventions," says Ms. Rooney, "and work together in groups."
Though Emily Arrow knows it's important for each group to think, listen, and share, she still wishes she were the leader of her invention group. Linda Lorca, the bossy leader, can't get anyone to cooperate. "Snaggle doodles," Emily says. If the group doesn't come up with an idea soon, they'll be the worst group in the class.
Meanwhile, Emily is also busy thinking of a wedding present for Ms. Vincent, the student teacher. The wedding is only a few days away. Emily has a lot to do. Can she and her group learn to work together in time?