Helen fears that lack of improvement in her reading may leave her stuck in the sixth grade forever, until a good teacher recognizes her reading problem.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Book Description
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Product Description
From School Library Journal
Grade 5-8 Helen dreads the first day in sixth grade. Good in math and gifted on the pitcher's mound, she is a nonreader diagnosed as a behavior problem. Against the slice - of - life background of a skating party, pierced ears and overnights at friend Louise's, Helen loses the battle with the printed word. Mid-year, she transfers to the other sixth grade class, where the teacher lets her choose whether or not to study in the special ed classroom. Despite the label "retard," she decides to get the special help. Hard work results in progress. Given her caring parents, sympathetic principal and wholesome friends, the motivation for Helen's pranks and booby traps is obscure. DeClements fails to relate Helen's deliquency to her frustration or anger. In addition, since help is just down the hall, it is unrealistic for Helen to suffer for half the year before trying the special ed room. Still, cameo appearances by Jenny and Elsie from Nothing's Fair in Fifth Grade (Viking, 1981) will attract readers to this less successful problem novel. Like Gilson's Do Bananas Chew Gum ? (Lothrop, 1980), Sixth Grade. . . illuminates the bleak world of the learning disabled while it entertains. Pat Harrington, Phoenix Public Library
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
Browse and search another edition of this book.
Browse and search another edition of this book.
First Sentence
"Oh, Helen," my mother complained, "you're not going to wear those denim pants the first day of school are you?" Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
"Oh, Helen," my mother complained, "you're not going to wear those denim pants the first day of school are you?" Read the first page
Explore More
Concordance
Browse Sample PagesConcordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I had read this book 10 years ago when I was in the 6th grade and it was definitely one of my favourites. It was funny reading about the pranks Helen played on Mrs. Lobb, but the teacher was really unfair towards her. Overall, the book was well written descriptively and made me feel as though I was watching a movie at the same time. There is nothing wrong with seeking help with reading, but it is also very common for kids to be cruel towards someone who's different, which is unfair. This book showed that Helen may have had a learning disability, but shows talent in other areas such as math, art, music and sports and is a very bright and articulate individual. I also enjoyed reading about her spending time with her friends at birthday parties and what a fun Christmas she had.
Format:Paperback
As a former special education student who endured my own share of public school abuses (from teachers and students alike) I was initially excited about this book during my own elementary school. That was, until I actually read through the patronizing story.
'Bad Helen' recieved her nickname because she repeatedly acts up in class due to frustration with a learning disability. Her school knows that she is elgible for services but for the sake of the story, she is in the 'regular' classroom with a teacher who has made it clear that she does not like Helen for who she is. Having special education students in the regular classroom only works if the teacher is not insulting the student.
Even today, I am amazed by the number and severity of plot holes. Nobody (including the parents) seems alarmed that Helen is not recieving the help she is entitled to get under state/federal special education laws. This sends/reinforces historical stereotypes that special education (instead of the discrimination people using it experience) is bad and undesirable.
Now as then, this book may be the only 'public' information on special education that some students recieve---especially about themselves. Ms. Declements could have performed a tremendous public service for her readers (ala Henry Winkler's Hank Zipster) but instead exploits fear of being different. Furthermore, naive parents who are afraid of their children's diagnosis also turn to juvenile literature to reasure the whole family of an uncertain future. This book harms the very populations it could be trying to obtain primary readership from.
Format:Paperback
This is a wonderful book! I am a Special Education Class Instructional Aide. I am currently reading this book with my students and they love it! Since my students are in a Resource Class like Helen, they can really relate. They enjoy laughing at the situations that Helen gets herself into and they can understand with how she feels. An excellent book to read with students, and at my school it just happens to also be an AR book, so not only do the students enjoy the book, but they can take AR test to earn points.
Want to see more reviews on this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 18 reviews
4.1 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Wonderful Book!
The book I read was Sixth Grade Can Really Kill You. The book was endlessly funny because of Helen's great sense of humor. Read more
Published on May 23 2001
5.0 out of 5 stars
Yeah it sure is!
Oh how frustrating it can be when you first enter 6th grade! I highly reccomend this book's sequel, "Special Education Kills Even More" which is about poor Helen's trials... Read more
Published on Nov 8 2000 by "flava_flav_anilla"
3.0 out of 5 stars
Sixth Grade Can Really Kill You
I understand and can sympathize with Helen and her reading challenges. I am glad that she found a constructive solution. Read more
Published on Sep 9 2000 by Leslie G. Bendt
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Book!
I had to read this book for a book report. I wasn't too thrilled when I opened it up and started reading it. It was a little boring. Read more
Published on May 14 2000
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting book
I'm sure the English professors at Harvard would find something wrong with it, and I'm sure all those Yale graduates would be mad because there is no symbolism or whatnot, but if... Read more
Published on Jan 27 1998
4.0 out of 5 stars
O.K. Book
This is an OK book. It's about a girl named Helen who is having trouble in school. It doesn't help that she got the meanest teacher in the 6th grade. Her name is Mrs. Read more
Published on Jan 18 1998
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best books come from Barthe DeCleaments.
These books are really good. Why? Because I personally don't like to read, I have already read 4th grade,5th,and 6th grade. They are the best books. Read more
Published on Dec 16 1997
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
- Books > Children's Books > Issues > School
- Books > Children's Books > Literature
Feedback
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
