Dewey is a boy ready to begin fourth grade. He and his widowed mother live alone with Old Mrs Walsh coming in most days to look after him until Mom gets home from work.

Dewey is a boy who day dreams of one day becoming a famous sports figure. When Dewey and his friends learn their teacher is new to the district they assume she must be a new teacher in the true sense of the word.

It takes only a few moments for the group to realize Mrs Cusamano may be new to their school, however she is not new to teaching. Dewey is not at all sure that he is ready for Mrs Cusamano or fourth grade until he carries home a note for his mother to sign.

First Day is a breezy little book of fourteen chapters covering 94 pages.

There are just enough pencil type illustrations to add to the interest. Kids should be caught up in the story right from the opening paragraph when the reader is introduced to Dewey in the midst of his favorite daydream.

Writer Cooper has a nice easy reading writing style sure to appeal to youngsters in the middle grades. Vocabulary used in First Day is a tad advanced for most 6-7 year olds, however the book will lend itself well as a read to for this age and as a read alone for most 8-10 year olds.

First Day and Dewey Does are sure to prove winners in classrooms and home libraries alike. I plan to take the copy I received for review for use with my adult, mentally challenged, beginning readers. Happy to recommend.

Reviewed by: molly martin 20+ years classroom teacher

Genre: middle grades Author: . John Cooper Illustrator: Jon Roscetti Line/Publisher ABC-123` ISBN:.0 9711474 93