Good Luck, Mrs. K.!

By Louise Borden

Book Overview

Mrs. Kempczinski -- "Mrs. K." to her third-grade students -- is everyone's favorite teacher. Exciting and dynamic, Mrs. K. knows sign language, celebrates Worm Day, and performs "homework dances." One day the third graders are explorers, learning about faraway places. Other days, they are poets or scientists or astronauts. Every day with Mrs. K. is different, and every day is fun. Suddenly, though, Mrs. K. is not in school and Room 3 has a substitute teacher. The principal explains that Mrs. K. is in the hospital with cancer. The class writes letters and draws pictures for Mrs. K. One student, Ann Zesterman, tells Mrs. K. that she says "Kemp-chin-ski" for good luck when she plays basketball at recess. Another, A.J., wonders how many operations it takes to cure cancer, but no one has the answer. When will Mrs. K. come back? Based on a true story, narrated by nine-year-old Ann and with lovely full-color paintings, this honest and forthright story addresses a subject of much importance and concern for young and old alike.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0689851197
• ISBN13: 9780689851193
• Release Date: July 2002
• Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 7.0" x 9.1"
• Age Range: 6 to 10 years
• Grade Range: Grades 1 to 5

Customer Reviews

Illustrations of the most excellent caliber

I revelled in the charming illustrations. Gustavson has managed to create a clever, believable, and thoroughly entertaining world that could only be accomplished with a deft hand and and a sharp, thoughtful mind.

A truly inspirational story to be loved by children & adults

Mrs. K encapsules what we envision our favorite teacher to have been like. She motivates learning by incorporating amusing tactics, such as dancing, to teach subjects on a different level. Her courage through her illness leaves her students always remembering the stronger side of Mrs. K and everything she taught them in Room 3, even making them teachers to one another. Children & adults alike will love Good Luck, Mrs. K!!

Beautifully illustrated;

Okay, so I'm biased. The illustrator is a dear friend. However, I can express without lying that it is one of the most beautifully illustrated children's books I've seen. The story takes on a "not so scary" view for children of illness. Miss Borden has written a learning tool which helps to exclude fear and sadness, and allows us to look toward survival.

I loved this book.

Mrs. K is a wonderful teacher -- caring, warm, and energetic. She inspires her students by treating them as individuals and by making her classroom very interactive. Her students become "teachers" themselves when Mrs. K is in the hospital. Although Mrs. K's illness is discussed, it is not frightening for children. I hope all teachers will take time to read this book and share it with their classes.

Mrs. K motivates children to learn.

Mrs. K is the story of a good teacher and her ability to motivate a classroom of third grade children. She knows each child even on the first day and helps them learn to spell her difficult name. She does her "homework" dance when all the children do their homework and she even celebrates Worm Day. This teacher becomes ill with cancer but her illness is not the focus of this book. Too many times we hear about ineffective teachers. Mrs. K is the epitome of good teaching, like millions of great teachers across the country. Every teacher will want this book in his/her classroom!