Laura Huliska-Beith

Mean Jean was the playground bully. She became aggressive with other kids if they played with any of the playground equipment before she did. Katie Sue, a new student, was unaware of Mean Jean’s rules. She played freely with whatever she wanted. Mean Jean confronted her, but Katie Sue refused to be bullied. Instead of being mean to Mean Jean Katie, Sue invited her to jump rope.
Bullying happens every day in schools, especially on the playground. I like that Katie Sue didn’t let Mean show more Jean’s attitude affect how she treated her. She simple responded with kindness, something Mean Jean was not used too. I think all children should be introduced to this book to help understand bullying and was to approach it. show less

This book's title pretty much captures its whole concept so there is not a whole lot of depth. Each page turned leads to a "bad idea" that has messy and humorous consequences. The illustrations depict the "bad ideas" perfectly. They are bright, bold, and colorful. The peoples' expressions bring the "bad idea" to life. Young readers would find this book to be pleasurable. I would like to read it during story time and then do an activity where students share an idea they believe to be bad and show more draw a picture of the "bad idea" in action. show less

The Recess Queen by Alexis O'Neill, illustrated by Laura Huliska-Beith, is based on a theme of bullying and how friendship can change how someone acts. In the beginning of the story, Mean Jean is known for being the “recess queen” because she would control the playground. Through characterization and exaggerated repetition, the author shows how much power she has over the other kids. When Katie Sue gets introduced she acts as the conflict in the narrative because she is challenging the show more power of Mean Jean. Katie Sue is not scared of Mean Jean, she wants to include her in jump roping. The illustrations are bright and full of movement. The readers are able to understand Mean Jeans' emotional shift easier by the illustrations. In the end, Mean Jean stops bullying and starts to play with the others, which shows character development. This story is a good story for children because it shows that kindness and confidence can stop someone from bullying. The book also uses humor and visual storytelling to teach an important lesson that kids can understand. show less

The Recess Queen was an entertaining yet powerful book that I liked reading. Two reasons why I liked this book was how the characters were depicted and how it pushes readers. This book had various characters in it but the main character was depicted as the bully, she was larger than everyone else and had the power on the playground. Everyone copied what she did and she was the most powerful student in the grade. Her character could relate to various bullies that students are exposed to. This show more book also pushed readers to think about bullying and friendship. It can tell students to be their own persona and to not give into peer pressure. The message of this book has to do with friendship, and that everyone needs a friend. show less