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Third Grade Angels Audiobook
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(3.07) - 138 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
The long-awaited prequel to the bestseller FOURTH GRADE RATS.
FORMAT: UNABRIDGED 2 CDs
George, aka "Suds," has just entered third grade, and he's heard the rhyme about "first grade babies/second grade cats/third grade angels/fourth grade rats," but what does this mean for his school year? It means that his teacher, Mrs. Simms, will hold a competition every month to see which student deserves to be awarded "the halo" - which student is best-behaved, kindest to others, and, in short, perfect. Suds is determined to be the first to earn the halo, but he's finding the challenge of always being good to be more stressful than he had anticipated. Does he have to be good even outside of school? (Does he have to be nice to his annoying little sister?) And if Mrs. Simms doesn't actually see him doing a good deed, does it even count?
A warm, funny return to elementary school from master storyteller Spinelli.
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"It was a good hearted story about how good behavior is important at school and at home. Also how good behavior usually doesn't go unnoticed. The characters are relatable and caring. Students will enjoy reading this because it is written from a kid perspective. Good job Spinelli!"
— Lindsey (4 out of 5 stars)
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“Spinelli’s careful characterizations give the story its emotional honesty, and Suds’ obsession with snagging the halo—and his resulting angst—inspire some genuinely funny moments…Nicely developed adult figures, including Suds’ mother and Mrs. Simms, add to the story’s comedy and warmhearted quality…An entertaining lead-in to this earnest hero’s fourth-grade year.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“Spinelli works in some interesting concepts, such as levels of niceness (positive actions versus cessation of negative actions) and the questionable value of goal-oriented goodness. A prequel to Spinelli’s Fourth Grade Rats (1991), this accessible chapter book features a simply written, first-person narrative and believable, true-to-third-grade characters.”
— Booklist -
“Spinelli lets readers into Suds’ eight-year-old mind without condescension. His problems and concerns are treated comically but with genuine kindness. Suds is innocent, gullible and trusting; he is also entirely good-hearted. Young readers will recognize Suds as one of their own and will gladly follow him to fourth grade. Sweet and funny.”
— Kirkus Reviews
Third Grade Angels Listener Reviews
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Anne Ligertwood, 7/1/2020
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" Not interesting... disappointing. If you're going to write a chapter book for 3rd graders, you've got to hook them. Nothing was funny, or myseterious... maybe the idea would have been better as a picture book? "
— Steph, 2/17/2014 -
" Suds has begun the third grade and his teacher, Mrs. Sims challenges the students to behave like angels and have the privilege to wear a halo and be the boss angel for a week. Suds very much wants to be the first one to win the halo. This is a fun story and also has a nice message. "
— Ingrid, 2/3/2014 -
" A very sweet story about being a good person and the value in it. Especially when no one is looking. "
— Lora, 2/2/2014 -
" Great lesson to learn "
— Rosalind, 1/31/2014 -
" This was a really sweet story. It followed Spinelli's trademark intensity, but on a lighter, more humorous level. I really enjoyed reading it, and although I don't think it has the importance of some of Spinelli's books, I think it is very well written and worth reading! "
— Sarah, 1/9/2014 -
" Good short read for my 3rd graders, good message too for the perfectionist among them. "
— Kyla, 1/8/2014 -
" Read this book with my third grade daughter and she enjoyed the story and characters. What third grader isn't interested in figuring out what is fair? Suds is a very likeable character who learns through the lessons in the story. "
— Deirdre, 12/9/2013 -
" Saw a review and thought of my grandsons. Fun little story about the reasons for being good. "
— Cathy, 11/25/2013 -
" Earning a halo means being your best even when no one is looking. A great read aloud! "
— Carol, 9/24/2013 -
" Seems I've read a lot of books with third graders in them lately! New book due out this fall. Spinelli's prequel to FOURTH GRADE RATS. (Have not read that one, so I plan to check it out.) "
— Liz, 8/3/2013 -
" My elementary kiddos will love this one; will have to read the rest of the series also. This would make a great read-aloud. "
— Sheryl, 8/2/2013 -
" Fun realistic fiction about a boy who competes for the class halo and learns how to be a good person even when no one is looking. It has themes, such as teasing and worrying, that will appeal to this age group as well. "
— Carriek, 7/2/2013 -
" I love Jerry Spinelli's writing so was excited to see he came out with a new book! It's a prequel to Fourth Grade Rats and a fun read that students will enjoy. It also teaches an important lesson in the book about making the right choices even when no one is watching. "
— Melanie, 1/5/2013
About the Authors
Jerry Spinelli discovered his calling in 1957 when his high school football team won a big game. The town celebrated and his fellow students raced through the streets, but Jerry sneaked back home and marked the occasion in his own way. He wrote a poem. Later the town newspaper published it. He has been a writer ever since. Married to Eileen Spinelli, who is also a writer, Jerry was for many years an editor for the Chilton Company. Now a full-time writer, he lives in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. His immensely popular books include Space Station Seventh Grade, Jason and Marceline, Who Put That Hair in My Toothbrush?, and Maniac Magee, which has won more than fifteen state children’s book awards in addition to the Newbery Medal.
Johnny Heller, winner of numerous Earphones and Audie Awards, was named a “Golden Voice” by AudioFile magazine in 2019. He has been a Publishers Weekly Listen-Up Award winner from 2008 through 2013 and he has been named a top voice of 2008 and 2009 and selected as one of the Top 50 Narrators of the Twentieth Century by AudioFile magazine.