The Brand New Kid
by Katherine Couric, Marjorie Priceman (Illustrator)

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Book Reviews of The Brand New Kid

Book Review: Reach and Befriend Someone Different From You!
Summary: 5 Stars

At the beginning of second grade, Ellie McSnelly and Carrie O'Toole were delighted to find themselves together in Miss Kincaid's class, who is "the best teacher by far in the whole second grade."

On the first day of school, the teacher introduces a new student, Lazlo S. Gasky. He has spiky white-blond hair, and a voice that is a bit too loud and accented. His name seems strange, too. When Miss Kincaid asks the class to "Please welcome him here, won't you all please say hi?" the students just turned and stared. Everyone ignored Lazlo after that until Ricky Jenson called him, "Hey fool!" and someone tripped him in the cafeteria.

Lazlo was lonely, and his mother was upset. Upon learning this, Ellie decides, "I'll ask him to play . . . ." Becoming acquainted, she is able to break the ice for him with the other children. Soon, he is accepted.

As Ms. Couric says in the introduction, "[C]hildren can sometimes be cruel. Kindness can be taught . . . ." She hopes "this story will inspire all of us to reach out and make someone feel a little . . . less lonely." I think it will work, and encourage you to buy and read this story to your children.

Most children's books attack the problem of the "different" kid (The Ugly Duckling) by working on that child's self-esteem, using differences as sources of strength. But a friendly, welcoming hand works much better in my experience.

This book helps the child who isn't "different" to extend herself or himself across the social gulf. We clearly need both kinds of books. How many times have you wanted to do the right thing, but weren't quite sure what to do? This book is very helpful for that circumstance in elementary school.

"He may look slightly strange, has an accent and stuff, but if you know him, you'd like him . . . ." An obvious follow-on is to ask your child to invite over classmates whom he or she does not yet know well. In the second grade, your encouragement will probably carry the day. This can then start to become a habit of being an open and friendly person. Your child will accordingly enjoy many more good relationships throughout life. Lots of good results will follow for your child . . . as well as for other children.

Help your child learn to enjoy becoming better acquainted with everyone! In this way, you can help spread love and caring throughout humanity. We will all be the beneficiaries.

"Ask not for whom the bell tolls. It tolls for thee."

Children's Books