Mr. Cool (I Am Reading) - Softcover

Susan Hepler, Ph.D. - Children's Literature
It is every would-be musician's fantasy to make it big in a cool band, which is what this story portrays. Ricky, Micky, and Nicky are the kid musicians, and Kevin is a nerdy guy. But he is the one who offers his grandmother's basement for practice; he's the one who bounces around the edges in his dorky hand-knit sweater; and it's his grandma who gets them their first gig. And when Mr. Rich finally discovers the band, but only offers the musical three a contract, they band together and say they will sign only if Kevin is included. This easy reader ends with the band going on tour with their first album, and the fans love them all, especially Kevin. The tacit message is that it is okay to be yourself and friends stick together. Cynical adults might say that if you can't sing, you don't get hired, but "American Idol" would certainly belie that statement. Lewis's full color watercolor cartoonish illustrations portray upbeat, longhaired, kids, only one of whom has brown skin. This "I Am Reading" book would appeal to older readers because of its subject matter, but the text is modest for newly independent readers of any age. 2004 (orig. 1996), Kingfisher, Ages 6 to 9.
School Library Journal
Gr 1-3-These titles for emergent readers are designed to fill the middle ground between picture books and chapter books. Ricky's Rat Gang describes how three mice come up with a clever plan to drive away a gang of bullying rats and regain their hold on a supermarket storeroom. In the second book, three boys accept Kevin into their rock band, even though he isn't "cool." When a music executive offers to sign the group, but only without Kevin, themusicians stand by their friend. Just Mabel tells how a girl deals with teasing from her classmates about her name and her clothing. Children will relate to Mabel's hurt feelings and will respect her ability to solve her own problems. All of the stories offer clear and simple texts with appealing plots. The splashy, cartoon illustrations do an excellent job of supporting the narratives. Edgier and more interesting than the titles in the "Hello Reader" series (Scholastic), these books are solid additions.-Robyn Walker, Elgin Court Public School, St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
Children's Literature
This "I Am Reading" book would appeal to older readers because of its subject matter, but the text is modest for newly independent readers of any age.

School Library Journal
All of the stories offer clear and simple texts with appealing plots. The splashy, cartoon illustrations do an excellent job of supporting the narratives. Edgier and more interesting than the titles in the "Hello Reader" series (Scholastic), these books are solid additions.

Jacqueline Wilson grew up and still lives in Kingston-on-Thames. She always wanted to be a writer and wrote her first 'novel' when she was nine. Jacqueline has won numerous awards, including the Smarties Prize, the Guardian Children's Fiction Award, and the Children's Book Award. In 2002 Jacqueline was given an OBE for services to literacy in schools and she is the current Children's Laureate. Stephen Lewis has illustrated several books and has been published by Mammouth, Franklin Watts, OUP Orchard and Belitha Press amongst others. He lives in Frondsham, Essex.