The Landry News

This is an awesome book because it will get you sitting on the edge of your seat just waiting to see what happens next. Almost every time you read another surprise happens. It's about a girl named Cara Landry who changes her teacher's life and changes him into a different person by writing a school newspaper. The motto of this book is truth and mercy. Cara is the kind of girl who you can trust because she never gives up. Mr. Larson in this book is a guy who reads the paper and drinks coffee while he's supposed to teach the class. Dr. Barnes is the principal of the school and all he thinks about is himself and getting Mr. Larson fired. I would recommend this book for kids ages 8 and up. I loved this book because it was exciting and because I thought the characters had interesting personalities and there was always something going on between Mr. Larson and Dr. Barnes, which made the book more interesting to read. ~E.S.

We are doing a newspaper unit in my school and this book is a great way to impart knowledge to a class of sixth graders. The students wait eagerly each day for the next chapter. I have already recommended it to other teachers in our district!

A couple of weeks ago I read "Frindle," by Andrew Clements, and decided it was one of the best kids' books I'd read in a long time. As a result, I decided to read "The Landry News," and my reaction is just as positive. I'm an elementary school librarian, and I can tell you I'll be ordering several more copies of these books--as well as other titles by Clements--for our library.Clements has a way of writing a deceptively simple story--with many interweaving layers--that make his tales appealing to both children and adults. As in "Frindle," where a fifth-grade boy invents a new word, Clements takes a small, seemingly insignificant event, in this case the creation of a single newspaper posted on the wall by a new girl in class, to set in motion a growing chain of events that gets bigger and bigger. It's almost as if Andrew Clements is saying that there is no such thing as an insignificant event. As John Donne wrote, "No man is an island."Some of the seemingly small things that moves the plot along in this engaging story are: not one, but two divorces; the newspaper on the wall; a burned-out teacher reading newspapers and drinking coffee; a mother reading a couple of verses from the Book of Psalms to her daughter; apologies; a helpful librarian; a "concerned" principal; an inquisitive small town newspaper reporter; new friends; the Bill of Rights and; "truth and mercy."If these two first books are any indication, Andrew Clements is an author worth paying attention to. His stories have "heart."This book, written at a 6th grade level, would make an excellent read-aloud for upper elementary classes. Having said that, I think this story is inspiring enough to be read to any class--even up through high school--that is involved in journalism or some kind of "newspapers in education" curriculum. This is one of those stories that has staying power and is filled with wisdom. Highly recommended!

A timely back-to-school read for parents, students and teachers (even principals!). I started reading after dinner and didn't put the book down until I finished. Without giving away the twists and turns of the story, the book touches upon the essence of teaching and learning. Best of all the story values empathy, initiative, and student self-expression. My fifth grade son was so inspired while reading, he sat down and tapped out his own "newspaper" on the computer. Buy this book for upper grade students, and make sure your school library has a copy. This story is sure to make a few teachers squirm, and many parents think twice about the challenges of teaching. Who knows how many student/classroom newspapers the story will inspire!

This book is an exciting look at an atypical fifth grade teacher and an an atypical fifth grade student. At first, the two cross paths in an adversarial manner. Then, they see things from the other's perspective and it changes each of them for the better.The book is educational (you learn about the First Amendment), exciting and very touching. Clements is a wonderful writer. My son and I loved this book.