THE PAIN AND the Great One hardly agree on anything. But deep down, they know they can count on each other, especially at school, where it often ta...
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Dec 23, 2011
Jennifer
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Reviewed by Julie M. Prince for TeensReadToo.com
Jake, also known as The Pain to his big sister, has plenty to deal with at school. From the bully who steals his magnifying glass to the disastrous Bring Your Pet to School Day, navigating the first grade is no simple matter. Luckily his big sister, Abigail The Great One, has been through it all before. When she's not too busy being great, she lends a helping hand, and in the process, she finds that even third graders need a little help More...
Jake, also known as The Pain to his big sister, has plenty to deal with at school. From the bully who steals his magnifying glass to the disastrous Bring Your Pet to School Day, navigating the first grade is no simple matter. Luckily his big sister, Abigail The Great One, has been through it all before. When she's not too busy being great, she lends a helping hand, and in the process, she finds that even third graders need a little help More...
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Jun 06, 2010
Marcia
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I love Judy Blume. This collection of short stories featuring 1st grade Jake (the Pain) and his 3rd grade sister Abigail (the Great One) would be a perfect choice for a 1st grade read-aloud or 2nd grade independent reading. It is not a god choice for the MCBA program which is geared to students in grades 4-6. While the reading level is accessible, the content is too young and babyish. A fine book, but a disappointing choice for this year's MCBA list.
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Aug 03, 2008
george
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Jake is known by his name to everyone except his older sister, Abibgail. She calls him the pain. Jake has his own name for Abigail as well: the great one. These siblings have a classic case of sibling rivalry and each are convinced that his parents loves the other more than him. In Cool Zone we see more of the family's adventures narrated in turn by the pain and the great one. School life and home life play prominently in the first and third graders lives. Each chapter is a different story that
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Oct 17, 2010
AZLB
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Ok so after the last kids series bust I was so hoping this would work out.
Judy Blume didn't disappoint. We enjoyed reading this story and I didn't have to do any editing while reading. Each chapter was different, one story by the Great one (the older sister) then one by the Pain (the younger brother). There is the standard brother and sister love/hate relationship but there are also good moments when they both stand up for each other.
It reminded me of all the Judy Blume books More...
Judy Blume didn't disappoint. We enjoyed reading this story and I didn't have to do any editing while reading. Each chapter was different, one story by the Great one (the older sister) then one by the Pain (the younger brother). There is the standard brother and sister love/hate relationship but there are also good moments when they both stand up for each other.
It reminded me of all the Judy Blume books More...
Aug 10, 2009
April
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Listened to the audio version in the car over the weekend with my 10 yr old niece. We both thought it was a hoot especially since she is an older sister to a younger brother and could totally relate. I thought it was just as funny and charming as the Clementine stories, Moxy Maxwell, Ramona (though she is my #1 favorite), etc.
Aug 02, 2011
Maya
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Jake and Abigail are brother and sister. Jake lost three teeth and he has one that is really loose. Abigail is the Great One and Jake is the Pain. I liked it because it was funny. In one chapter Abigail changed her name to Violet Rose because she didn't feel like an Abigail. They have a cat named Fluzzy.
Jul 17, 2008
Erinn
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This is a cute realistic fiction book written by Judy Blume. "The Great One," also known as Abigail, is a third grade student who thinks that she has an annoying brother. "The Pain," also known as Jake, is a first grader who thinks that he has a sister that is a mind reader. It is a cute tale about how siblings can understand as well as misunderstand each other.
I plan on reading this story aloud during my realistic fiction unit. During that time, I will dis More...
I plan on reading this story aloud during my realistic fiction unit. During that time, I will dis More...
Jul 05, 2011
Katie
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Another good one for my little boys. My kids LOVED the chapter about a bully at school. It's important for them to read stories about everyday things they might deal with at school, to see how the characters react, etc.
Sep 09, 2008
Becky
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Cool Zone...is a fun chapter book. Narrated by 'the Pain' (younger brother, Jake, first grade) and 'the Great One' (older sister, Abigail, third grade), Cool Zone with the Pain & the Great One is family-and-school drama at its best. Each chapter is a self-contained story or adventure. Episodic. Both brother and sister were enjoyable. All the chapters were enjoyable. But if I had to pick a favorite, I'd have to admit that my favorite chapter is the last chapter which is narrated by the family cat
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May 03, 2010
Heather
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How can you not win with Judy Blume? The antics of these two siblings are very endearing. Even though they frustrate each other to no end, they understand family loyalty. Darling.
Sep 07, 2011
L Boogie
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This was a really great story with only one, small boring part. Otherwise, I would have given it four stars. Judy Blume is a great author.
Feb 10, 2011
Melanie!! :)
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I thought that this was a great book. It was kind of short but fun. I would say this is more of a book for young readers. I reccomend it to anyone who likes fun books.
Apr 26, 2009
Isabel
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this book was 1 of the book that taught me how to read it was o.k at the time but i'm older now and looking back it sucked.
Oct 02, 2010
Christi
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Would be good for readers who like the Ramona stories or the Ivy and Bean books. Brother and sister school story.
Jan 28, 2011
Elaina
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It's hard to remember these books because I've read them so long ago, but i still love Judy Blume!!! :)
May 02, 2009
Claire
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My neighbor gave me this to read at her house when I had nothing to do...for kids my age I would not recommend it but for younger elementary schoolers I would.
Aug 06, 2010
Pat
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Brother-sister combo of the Pain/Great One are believeable and funny through these short stories. Kids can relate to the situations--lost tooth, bully trouble--and the loyalty of the siblings shines through. I think this is a winner, and it will attract reluctant readers.
Nov 22, 2008
Rachel
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Reading this one with the kiddos. Q loved Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, and he requested more Judy Blume. The kids really liked it -- little brother tells one chapter, big sister tells the next. Enough illustrations to keep younger children interested.
Jul 03, 2008
Amy
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Sequel to Soupy Saturdays with the Pain and the Great One. Each chapter alternates between the Pain and the Great One. Good sibling story. One chapter deals with bullying.
Aug 23, 2010
Miki
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There are some stories about the pain and his sister the great one. It remind me of my childhood.
Feb 09, 2012
Feb 07, 2012
