First Grade Takes a Test

One day the first-graders are given a special multiple-choice test by the principal. Some kids find the questions puzzling. Then, suddenly, time's up. Anna Maria announces, 'That was easy.'But many kids are confused and upset, and 'You're a dummy!' echoes through the class, which only settles down when the kindly teacher reminds the children of all the things they do understand. Veteran author Cohen's sensitivity to children's feelings and reactions really shows here, and it's just as on point now as it was all those years ago. Himler was a good choice to update the art. It's a cozy multicultural classroom now, with kids working closely together, and Himler's loose-lined, pencil-and-watercolor pictures skillfully use body language and show more facial expressions to chart the children's emotional highs and lows. There's little question that kids who have had similar experiences will recognize themselves. A wonderful book for discussion. show less

Speaks about school testing issue. "Great book to remind people that being the smartest on a test is not the only thing that matters in a classroom."

This book is good for first and second graders. First graders, because the can relate to the students through age and second graders, because that is when most schools do this form of testing. This would be a great book to read before children were tested to see if they needed to be in gifted classes. By reading this book first, children would not feel "dumb" like these children did at first, because it explains that tests do not represent every form of intelligence.

The first grade is taking their first test. When the results come back, a student is sent to the gifted class for scoring a 100. The other students don't feel as smart, but discover that they are gifted in many other skill areas.

This is a great book for explaining to children that there are many different types of intelligence.

Independent Reading Level: Ages 5-8
Awards: Buckeye Children's & Teen Book Award (Nominee — Grades K-3 — 1984)