About Average
post written by Emma Filbrun
Title: About Average
Author: Andrew Clements
Major Themes: Schools, Tornadoes
Synopsis: Jordan is just about average in every way—how can she win recognition and remain true to herself?
I have been enjoying Andrew Clements’ books for many years. He does well at getting inside the thought processes of children, and then ending a story with a surprise twist. About Average tells the story of a girl who was, well, about average!
Jordan was just a nice girl. She wasn’t tall, but she wasn’t short, either. She was very plain—not beautiful, but not ugly. She had to work hard in school; she never got perfect grades, but neither did she fail. Her teachers liked her because she never got into trouble—but she wanted to be known for something!
Jordan was having trouble with a bully. Should she retaliate? Then she had a revolutionary idea: be kind! Would it work? There was hardly time to find out before the end of the school year. Meanwhile, during the hottest day so far in the summer, the local weather man was watching the sky anxiously—what was going on?
This is a very good story of a girl learning to stay true to herself. Jordan wanted to be somebody, to be recognized, but she couldn’t bring herself to do things that were out of character. She sets a good example for the sixth-grade crowd of doing the right thing, even when it’s hard—and she ended up being rewarded for it.
Age Levels:
Read Aloud—Ages 5 – 8, 8 – 12, Family Read Alouds
Reading Independently—Ages 8 – 12
Links to buy About Average:
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle | Hardcover | Audible Audiobook (unabridged) | Audio CD (unabridged)
AbeBooks: View Choices on AbeBooks.com
Book Depository: Paperback | Hardcover | Audio CD (unabridged)
Keywords: Schools, Tornadoes, Family Read-alouds
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