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Summary
Summary
An exciting new chapter-book series by the bestselling author of the Polk Street School books
Jilli and Jim are the best of friends. But today, Jim has some news. Something scary is happening next door. Workmen are building something that is big and red, and a woman in a pointy hat is on a ladder, painting. Could she be the witch from Hansel and Gretel making a big red gingerbread house?
When Jilli's dog Fiercely crawls under the fence and runs into the witch's yard, the children must go over there and rescue him! But a surprise is in store for everyone. The woman is not a witch at all. She's Ms. Berry-the nicest teacher from school. And soon she will be their teacher!
With her characteristic warmth, humor, and irresistible child-friendly drama, Patricia Reilly Giff is at her very best!
Author Notes
Patricia Reilly Giff was born in Brooklyn, New York on April 26, 1935. She knew she wanted to be a writer, even as a little girl. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Marymount College, a Master's of Arts from St. John's University, and a Professional Diploma in Reading and a Doctorate of Humane Letters from Hofstra University.
After she graduated from college, she taught in the public schools in New York City until 1960 and then in the public schools in Elmont, New York from 1964 until 1971. She then became a reading consultant before finally, at the age of 40, deciding to write a book. She also worked as an educational consultant for Dell Yearling and Young Yearling Books and as an advisor and instructor to aspiring writers. Her first book, Today Was a Terrible Day, was published in 1980. She is the author of more than 100 children's books, as well as a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers.
Together with her husband, Giff opened "The Dinosaur's Paw," a children's bookstore named after one of her own stories. She is the author of the Polk Street School books. Lily's Crossing, about the homefront during World War II, was named a Newberry Honor Book by the American Library Association as well as an ALA Notable Book for Children. The novel also won the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Honor. Her companion book to Lily's Crossing, Genevieve's War, won a 2018 Christopher Award. Pictures of Hollis Woods was also named a Newberry Honor Book and Nory Ryan's Song was named an ALA Best Book for Young Adults.
Patricia Reilly Giff died on June 22, 2021. She was 86.
(Bowker Author Biography)
Reviews (3)
School Library Journal Review
Gr 1-3-When Jilli and Jim observe a neighbor wearing a pointy hat and a "Big Red Something" being built on the other side of the fence, their imaginations take over. Surely the woman is a witch and the house a Hansel and Gretel cottage. And they're convinced that Jilli's frisky dog, Fiercely, is in danger. What a delightful surprise when the children-emboldened by their makeshift scary costumes-approach the woman and discover that she is a popular teacher named Miss Barry. The red something turns out to be a schoolhouse, suggesting more adventures to follow. Oil pastel illustrations provide picture clues for the spare text. Giff understands the way young children try to make sense of the mysteries that confront them and creates dialogue that sounds natural and true. A perfect choice for new chapter-book readers.-Gloria Koster, West School, New Canaan, CT (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
False assumptions underlie the comedy of this buoyant launch to Fiercely and Friends, a paper-over-board early chapter book series that's right on target for recent picture-book graduates. Peering through a hole in the fence, Jim and Jilli see men building "a Big Red Something" next door. They decide that the woman in a pointy hat painting pictures of gumdrops and ice-cream cones on the structure is a witch creating "a Hansel and Gretel house," and they fear for the safety of Jilli's dog, Fiercely, when he gets into the neighboring yard. Using short, punchy sentences, Giff (the Kids of Polk Street School series) writes in the chipper voice of Jilli, whose mind hurtles amusingly from one thought to another. Searching for disguises to scare the "witch," Jilli finds gummy bears stuck to the woodshed floor and dusts them off: "Gummy bears made you brave. They tasted good, too." Palmisciano's (Gifts from the Heart) oil pastels playfully reinforce the energy and puckish personalities of the kids and Fiercely in this promising series kickoff. Ages 5-8. Agent: George Nicholson, Sterling Lord Literistic. (July) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Booklist Review
Accompanied by Fiercely the dog, Jilli and Jim watch people working on a mysterious red building under construction next door. They peer through binoculars and spy through a peephole in the fence, but they can't figure out why the lady in the pointy hat is painting gumdrops and ice-cream cones on the outside walls. Is it a Hansel and Gretel house? Is she a witch? Imaginative and brave in their own way, the children go into action when they believe that Fiercely is in danger. Jilli soon recognizes Ms. Berry, the nicest teacher, who offers to show them around their new school. With its short words, brief sentences, and wide-spaced lines, this book will suit beginning readers who enjoy realistic stories with a touch of mystery. The colorful, oil-pastel illustrations make the most of the story's drama and help create its upbeat atmosphere. A warm, childlike start to the Fiercely and Friends series for beginning readers.--Phelan, Carolyn Copyright 2010 Booklist