Rating: I like it BUT some families may not

Reading level: Early Elementary

Clementine delightfully captures the fresh perspective of a 3rd grader navigating the quirks and awkwardness of elementary school. She spends a lot of time in the principal’s office, and grown-ups continually urge her: “Clementine! Pay attention” —to which she does pay attention -to the fact that the lunch lady is kissing the janitor and other off-topic things.

The writing is entertaining but at time edging on the border of appropriateness. These topics are tastefully written, but I edited some of them when reading this book out loud to my kindergartener. There may be some deal breakers for some parents:

  • Luck. Clementine alludes to luck and being lucky
  • Kissing. The aforementioned kissing between the lunch lady and the janitor. Clementine mentions that she saw it, that it was in a car, that nobody else saw it, and that it was gross. That’s about it. I’m including a picture below that captures this part so you can decide if it’s appropriate for your family.
  • Lying. In The Talented Clementine she lies about her dad getting a new job because she’s afraid to admit she doesn’t know what she could do for the school talent show.
  • Play on words/Almost cussing. In The Talented Clementine, the teacher’s name is Mr. DaMatz, and the students are too afraid to use his name because first the part sounds like a wall that holds back water and the and part is another word for “donkey.” Clementine reflects on a time she once got in trouble for accidentally saying it wrong (when she was focused so hard not to say it wrong that she actually did say it wrong.)

If these don’t bother you then Clementine will make your kid smile & warm their heart… perhaps with a bit of mischief along the way.

*Here are links to all my reviews of books in the Clementine series.

Clementine (Book 1)https://jesuslovesthebookworms.wordpress.com/2022/07/28/clementine-and-the-talented-clementine-by/
The Talented Clementine (Book 2)https://jesuslovesthebookworms.wordpress.com/2022/07/28/clementine-and-the-talented-clementine-by/
Clementine’s letter (Book 3)https://jesuslovesthebookworms.wordpress.com/2023/01/24/clementines-letter-by-sara-pennypacker/
Clementine, Friend of the Week (Book 4)https://jesuslovesthebookworms.wordpress.com/2023/03/21/clementine-friend-of-the-week-by-sara-pennypacker/
Clementine and the Family Meeting (Book 5)https://jesuslovesthebookworms.wordpress.com/2023/04/23/clementine-and-the-family-meeting-book-5-by-sara-pennypacker/
Clementine and the Spring Trip (Book 6)https://jesuslovesthebookworms.wordpress.com/2023/06/23/clementine-and-the-spring-trip-book-5-by-sarah-pennypacker/

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