Clementine’s Letter (Book 3) by Sara Pennypacker

Rating: My bookshelf

Reading level: Early Elementary

I love Clementine’s sweet honesty and spunk.

Possible concerns:

• Boyfriend talk. There is some talk of “if I have a boy friend some day—which I won’t—he’ll be like Mitchell…”
• Rudeness. There are some not-so-pleased-with-the-substitute-teacher comments
• Distaste for an adult. The kids are not a fan of Margaret’s mom’s boyfriend or his pipe
• Separated parents. Margaret, Clementine’s friend, struggles with her dad being far away and missing his visit.  She is jealous that Clementine has both parents.
• Play on words/Almost cussing. The teacher’s name (Damatz) sounds like a couple of cuss words (the thing that holds back water plus the donkey) and it’s silly but she talks about not wanting to mess up his name and accidentally cussing because she overthinks it.

I think these redemptive aspects make it worth it:

• Troublemakers aren’t worthless. Clementine illustrates the perspective that the kid who gets in trouble a lot in class and at home still has a lot to offer and may not have ill intent.
• Positive relationships with parents. She has a great relationship with her parents. Clementine offers to be a helper organizing her mom’s art stuff.
• Empathy. Clementine learns to have empathy for the sub (who initially she didn’t like one bit.)
• Healthy response to disappointment. Clementine’s mom’s art is rejected; we see her being sad in a healthy way.
• Honesty/Reconciliation. Clementines parents make her offer to pay back when she takes money dishonestly by mistake.

There are some really great messages and I’d happily let this one live in my home.

See also my posts from other books in the 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/