apetruce's review
4.0
This was really good. It's Groundhog Day for kids -- a few snippets of advanced vocabulary and concepts but entirely clean and wholesome. A little lacking in the ending -- it ends exactly how you'd think it would. But smooth writing that didn't leave anyone bored. Loved that it had the kids figuring out their own problems and the author sneaks in a few life/morality lessons -- be nice, don't skip school, follow your talent etc. Nominated for a Young Hoosier Award and, who knows, maybe a few others. Not the deepest characters, but enough details about the secondary characters to make them stand alone. Recommended for 3-8th grade.
suzannedix's review
4.0
I can't believe it has taken me so many years to finally pick this one up. Very sweet and cute and now I completely understand why this book is never on the shelves. Excellent pick for girls grade 5 and up.
jillyfay's review against another edition
5.0
Love this author, love this book! It's such a fun read and well written. I've just read it a second time with a student and will probably be reading it this summer with another student or two. Looking forward to reading the others in this series.
UPDATED 4/27/2015: I read this book yet again and used it to teach my 4th graders how to read and take notes. This is such a great book for Active Reading and making predictions.
UPDATED 4/27/2015: I read this book yet again and used it to teach my 4th graders how to read and take notes. This is such a great book for Active Reading and making predictions.
mareliweb1's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
book_nut's review
4.0
It's like Groundhog's Day for 11 year olds... Fun stuff.
Read 10/13: still fun the second time around.
Read 10/13: still fun the second time around.
readingthroughtheages's review
5.0
Imagine living the same day over and over and no one knowing it but yourself.... That's what is happening to Amanda Ellerby on her 11th birthday. She keeps waking up and it's the morning of her 11th birthday, but she already knows how the day is going to turn out - she'll get in a fight with her older sister, her dad will be too sick to help with her birthday party, her mom will lose her job that night, she'll have to try out for the gymnastics team just because her best friend wants her to, and worst of all, she'll have to relive her miserable birthday party where no one really wants to be there because they want to be at her classmate, Leo's, party. And the hardest part of that, Leo used to be her best friend until their 10th birthday party. Could this have something to do with their fight from a year ago?
Fourth graders will enjoy this book and mature 3rd grade readers will, as well. Even though you keep reliving the same day over and over with Amanda, the little discoveries she makes each day keep you going! I like how Amanda learned something about herself each day.
Fourth graders will enjoy this book and mature 3rd grade readers will, as well. Even though you keep reliving the same day over and over with Amanda, the little discoveries she makes each day keep you going! I like how Amanda learned something about herself each day.
ryannreads's review against another edition
3.0
Amanda wakes up on the day after her disastrous 11th birthday to find that she is living the day all over again! She thinks she is going crazy, until her former best friend, Leo, who shares her birthday might be stuck in the 11th birthday loop, too.
While the "Ground Hog day" concept might not be new, I enjoyed this story. A few times, I wished Amanda and Leo would have tried different things sooner - but, alas, that is why the book wasn't written for me! I appreciated that while the kids tried to "fix" bad things that might have happened that day...they couldn't fix everything no matter what they tried.
The performance by the narrator was very well done. Each of the voices were distinct and added to the characters.
While the "Ground Hog day" concept might not be new, I enjoyed this story. A few times, I wished Amanda and Leo would have tried different things sooner - but, alas, that is why the book wasn't written for me! I appreciated that while the kids tried to "fix" bad things that might have happened that day...they couldn't fix everything no matter what they tried.
The performance by the narrator was very well done. Each of the voices were distinct and added to the characters.
jurotondi's review
5.0
This book really made me imagine what would happen if my birthday actually did repeat itself over and over again. At first, readers probably think that it would be awesome to have a repetitive birthday, but as you read, you realize that maybe having your birthday once a year might be a great thing. It was overall a very enjoyable book!