Utterly Me, Clarice Bean

This story was extremely cute. Clarice is like any girl her age. she finds it hard to pay attention but she must do so to get a good grade on her project. During the novel, she explains parts from her favorite story about Ruby Redfort who is a schoolgirl detective. On every couple of pages, there are illustrations that add more to the story. This story relates to girls at this age level because they are very imaginative. ( )

Now these are the Clarice Bean chapter books. If you have a 1st or 2nd grader reading the picture books, you can easily move them on to these, since I'd say Clarice Bean is perfect for the 3rd-4th grader. Clarice's voice and style is still the same as in her picture books, full of her own unique viewpoint and phrasing.

In the first Clarice Bean chapter book, Clarice has become a huge fan of the Ruby Redford detective series. This is a good thing, since mysterious things - the disappearance of her best friend, the missing award cup, and more - are happening all around her. There's not a really strong plot in this story, just a miscellaneous collection of mysterious and worrying things revolving around Clarice's devotion to the Ruby Redfort books, large excerpts of which are included.
In Clarice's second adventure, she is dealing with a lot of trouble at school, from the upcoming spelling bee (Clarice is not so good at spelling) to the school play (she doesn't get the part she wants but her best friend Betty does) to some problems with her sort of friend Karl. Karl has his own big problems, but when he most needs help Clarice makes a big sacrifice for him. Unfortunately, this is rather wiped out by the ridiculously Hollywoodish ending, but it's certainly in keeping with the Ruby Redfort theme.

In the final book, Clarice is dealing with change. Her best friend is leaving, Karl is acting weird, her parents seem to have a big secret, and even her brother Kurt is changing. Clarice has a lot of trouble dealing with all this change, but in a rather dramatic ending she sheds her misconceptions and prejudices and finds out things aren't as bad as she had thought.

I have to admit my favorite part of all these chapter books is when Kurt throws a fit over his teacher demanding they write an essay on what they did over the weekend. I have personally always thought this and similar assignments were incredibly intrusive and rude and I was delighted by Kurt's reaction, although of course he has bigger problems going on - and if he hadn't been so upset, might quite possibly have realized there's no reason you have to tell the truth when you've been given such an assignment. Like surveys. I'm always fascinated by people who feel the need to tell the absolute truth on surveys.

Anyways. Clarice's voice did become rather irritating after several chapters, but I did gulp these down in rather a large quantity. I like her character and her wild adventures, although they have plenty of realistic detail to balance them out. These stories are a bit different than the usual middle grade girl fiction. Clarice sees everything a bit differently and I think both girls and boys would appreciate her viewpoint.

Verdict: If I hadn't already spent my juvenile fiction budget for practically the whole year....maybe I'll add this series next year. Then again, I meant to add the Ivy+Bean series too. Oh dear.

Utterly me, Clarice Bean
ISBN: 978-0763627881; Published March 2005 by Candlewick; Borrowed from the library; Purchased for the library

Clarice Bean spells trouble
ISBN: 978-0763629038; Published May 2006 by Candlewick; Borrowed from the library

Clarice Bean don't look now
ISBN: 978-0763639358; Published August 2008 by Candlewick; Borrowed from the library

Really cute book, as an adult I couldn't put it down. Great for 2nd-5th graders. Has a few illustrations. Multicultural. Is written from Clarice's perspective and in a the way I assume she talks. Clarice Bean and a group of friends have to race to solve a mystery, get a friend out of trouble, and finish a book project before Parents' Night at school. The class has to complete a book project, they have to choose a book they have learned something from. She is paired up with Betty Moody, her best friend; but when Betty Moody suspiciously disappears (her parents whisked her off to Russia at a moments notice)she was paired with the Karl Wrenbury. Clarice is "utterly speechless" about this pairing and thinks that Karl is no good and a trouble maker. Clarice convinces Karl that the Ruby Redfort series is perfect for the project and they will most certainly win. Ruby Redfort is young heroine like Clarice who is a super spy. Right when Clarice has lost all hope in the project and Karl Wrenbury, he redeems himself when he builds super secret spy gear resembling Ruby Redfort's gadgets. Then suddenly Karl is accused of stealing the trophy for the book project and is disqualified from the contest. Betty Moody returns and they decide to solve the mystery of the missing trophy using what they have learned from the Ruby Redford series. The trophy mystery is solved, Karl is let off the hook, they finish the book project, and all just in time for Parent's Night. Even though they don't win, Clarice Betty solved a mystery like Ruby Redfort so it sure feels like one. ( )

Clarice Bean is noticing strange things. She has to get to the bottom of this-and get a good grade on the book report. Can she do it? ( )

Hilarious. Captures exactly how children talk today. ( )