ANNOTATION

A most unusual new student who loves to be the center of attention entertains her teacher and fellow second graders by telling absolutely true stories about herself, including how she got her name.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

From the moment Gooney Bird Greene arrives at Watertower Elementary School, her fellow second-graders are intrigued by her unique sense of style and her unusual lunches. So when story time arrives, the choice is unanimous: they want to hear about Gooney Bird Greene. And that suits her just fine, because, as it turns out, Gooney Bird has quite a few interesting and "absolutely true" stories to tell. Through Gooney Bird and her tales, acclaimed author Lois Lowry introduces young readers to the concepts and elements of storytelling. By demonstrating some of the simple techniques that reveal the extraordinary in everyday events, this book will encourage the storyteller in everyone.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

A feisty, friendly heroine tells her classmates "absolutely true" stories even though they seem anything but. "Youngsters will likely hope that Gooney Bird has enough tales to fill another volume," wrote PW. Ages 7-10. (Mar.) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

"…irrepressible Gooney Bird is that rare bird in children’s fiction: one that instantly becomes an amusing and popular favorite."

Children's Literature - Heather Rogers

Gooney Bird Green, a second grader who moves to Watertower with her family, begins school at Watertower Elementary School. When she arrives at her new school, her classmates take an interest in this unique-looking little girl. While they are discussing with their teacher, Miss Pidgeon, the elements that make up a story, the teacher suggests they decide on a person about whom they can tell stories. Miss Pidgeon suggests Christopher Columbus, but the whole class wants Gooney Bird Greene to tell stories. So everyday at story time, Gooney Bird Greene tells what she calls her "absolutely true stories." She tells how she got her name, how she came to Watertower, how she got diamond earrings, and a story about her cat. The class seems intrigued by Gooney Bird Greene, and this also pleases Miss Pidgeon because Gooney Bird's storytelling helps the class learn the elements of a story. Gooney Bird Greene, an extraordinary and humorous character, has the ability to entertain young children with her creative stories. I would definitely recommend this book to teachers teaching the elements of storytelling who also want their students to learn to tell their own stories. 2002, Houghton Mifflin Company, Ages 8 to 10.

School Library Journal

Gr 1-3-Second-grader Gooney Bird Greene is new to Watertower Elementary School. She tells fantastic stories, which are "always absolutely true." Her clothes are always unusual, ranging from pajamas with cowboy boots to a pink tutu over green stretch pants. In seven chapters, she captivates her classmates with her wild tales about "How Gooney Bird Came from China on a Flying Carpet" and "The Prince, the Palace, and the Diamond Earrings." She assumes the role of the teacher as she fields the class's questions about storytelling. The students learn that stories have main characters and secondary characters, and that using the word "suddenly" gets people's attention. In the last chapter, she takes off her props, an orange fur jacket and a cowhide purse, which she used to tell how her cat fell in love with a cow, and assures her peers that everyone has all sorts of stories to tell. While the "voice" of Gooney Bird is supposed to be that of a second grader, it sounds more like an adult talking through her. Most of the time, she sounds just like the teacher. The cleverly titled stories could spark children's interest in writing their own stories. This isn't one of Lowry's best, but it's a useful read-aloud.-Janet M. Bair, Trumbull Library, CT Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

Gooney Bird Greene (with a silent E) is not your average second grader. She arrives in Mrs. Pidgeon¿¿¿s class announcing: "I¿¿¿m your new student and I just moved here from China. I want a desk right smack in the middle of the room, because I like to be right smack in the middle of everything." Everything about her is unusual and mysterious¿¿¿her clothes, hairstyles, even her lunches. Since the second graders have never met anyone like Gooney Bird, they want to hear more about her. Mrs. Pidgeon has been talking to the class about what makes a good story, so it stands to reason that Gooney will get her chance. She tells a series of stories that explain her name, how she came from China on a flying carpet, how she got diamond earrings at the prince¿¿¿s palace, and why she was late for school (because she was directing a symphony orchestra). And her stories are "absolutely true." Actually, they are explainable and mesh precisely with the teacher¿¿¿s lesson, more important, they are a clever device that exemplify the elements of good storytelling and writing and also demonstrate how everyone can turn everyday events into stories. Savvy teachers should take note and add this to their shelf of "how a story is made" titles. Gooney Bird¿¿¿s stories are printed in larger type than the narrative and the black-and-white drawings add the right touch of sauciness (only the cover is in color). A hybrid of Harriet, Blossom, and Anastasia, irrepressible Gooney Bird is that rare bird in children¿¿¿s fiction: one that instantly becomes an amusing and popular favorite. (Fiction. 6-9)