Rating: I like it BUT some families may not

Reading Level: Early Elementary

Spoiler alerts: this one captures Clementine’s grappling with the news that her family is expecting a new baby. As usual, the book is delightfully raw, honest, and finds a satisfying, heart-warming resolution in the end. But it admittedly takes some time for Clementine to get used to the idea of a new addition, and her responses are not always so enthusiastic.  Her friend, Margaret doesn’t exactly offer a healthy influence in the matter.

If your family is growing & you’re not sure how your youth will handle the news, be warned! It is possible this book may be therapeutic (because Clementine does in the end get on board), or it may give kids a poor model. It’s hard to say.

A few other potential concerns:

  • Make up/ Father’s girlfriend. Margaret’s dad’s new girlfriend teaches Margaret some makeup strategies, & Margaret is obsessed with putting on makeup. She also sneaking puts some on when perhaps she isn’t supposed to.
  • Kids leveraging split parents. Margaret says if her mom got pregnant she would move out and go live with her father. If parenting styles across divorced parents is a tricky issue in family, or if your kid ever has or could possibly threaten to move out and live with the other parent, this book might put salt in the wound, (or I suppose it might help to see another family going through it.)
  • Casinos, perhaps irresponsible choices. Clementine’s grandma doesn’t mind sharing things or doing things with Clementine that the parents aren’t too excited about. There are references to Clementine driving a golf cart, calling out, “lucky legs eleven” at a bingo event, and grandma telling stories about Clementine’s dad that he isn’t wild about her knowing. (Something to do with being a bad big brother & a garden hose.)

None of these are hot issues for me, so I happily let my kids read this one. I like how Clementine matured. But some families might need to take a pass, or wait for a season when the issues aren’t so near.

See my other reviews of Clementine books:

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/