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84th out of 484 books
—
818 voters
Regarding the Fountain: A Tale, in Letters, of Liars and Leaks (Regarding the...)
The Dry Creek Middle School drinking fountain has sprung a leak, so principal Walter Russ dashes off a request to Flowing Waters Fountains, Etc.
...We need a new drinking fountain. Please send a catalog.
Designer Flo Waters responds:
"I'd be delighted...but please understand that all of my fountains are custom-made."
Soon the fountain project takes on a life of its own, one ch...more
...We need a new drinking fountain. Please send a catalog.
Designer Flo Waters responds:
"I'd be delighted...but please understand that all of my fountains are custom-made."
Soon the fountain project takes on a life of its own, one ch...more
Paperback, 144 pages
Published
March 9th 1999
by HarperCollins
(first published 1998)
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Such a delight! Smart, clever, without being annoying or show-off-y (I can't stand it when authors are witty just to show that they can be!) A brisk, charming read. Fun, with engaging characters and a nifty format (letters, memos, drawings, etc.) I guess this is the first of a series, so I will be looking for more. I must say that I figured out the "mystery" pretty early on, but perhaps for kids it will require a bit more puzzling.
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I'd give it five stars except for the fact that it's got two things that are truly unbelievable, and didn't need to be. I think the story would be stronger if it was just a little stretch from reality. But I can't accept 1. a fifth-grade class with only 6 students (this is not in outback Nevada or Australia, so, no) or 2. the ending (which I don't know how to hide so I won't tell & spoil).
Very quick read. Exciting, heartwarming, intriguing, terrifically clever. If you like this enhanced epis...more
Very quick read. Exciting, heartwarming, intriguing, terrifically clever. If you like this enhanced epis...more
Problem: The drinking fountain at Dry Creek Middle School has sprung a leak.
Principal Walter Russ’ Solution: Replace with another drinking fountain, same model, same price (very cheap), same level of boringness.
This solution is just plain unacceptable to Ms. Florence Waters whose job it will be to replace it. She never builds the same fountain twice, and is delighted when the students in Mr. Sam N’s fifth grade class send her their ideas. “Of course a drinking fountain should have tropical fish...more
Principal Walter Russ’ Solution: Replace with another drinking fountain, same model, same price (very cheap), same level of boringness.
This solution is just plain unacceptable to Ms. Florence Waters whose job it will be to replace it. She never builds the same fountain twice, and is delighted when the students in Mr. Sam N’s fifth grade class send her their ideas. “Of course a drinking fountain should have tropical fish...more
This was an adorable book I spotted on the shelves at the public library. I'd never heard of it! I was drawn in by the title but then sold when I saw the format.
I love how this book is told through a series of letters, post cards, announcements, newspaper articles, and memos. It is visually a lot of fun to read with many fonts, hand writings, and pictures.
The story centers around Dry Creek Middle School needing a new drinking fountain, Mr. N's 5th grade class, Florence Waters of Flowing Fountai...more
I love how this book is told through a series of letters, post cards, announcements, newspaper articles, and memos. It is visually a lot of fun to read with many fonts, hand writings, and pictures.
The story centers around Dry Creek Middle School needing a new drinking fountain, Mr. N's 5th grade class, Florence Waters of Flowing Fountai...more
TCL call number: J Klise
no rating
An unexpected adventure begins when principal Walter Russ requests a catalog from Flowing Waters Fountain, etc. The current drinking fountain in Dry Creek Middle School has sprung a leak. Florence Waters is uniquely individual, as are all her fountains. She asks Mr. Sam N.'s fifth-grade class for their suggestions on what the fountain should look like. Needless to say, there is a wide range of ideas. Soon the project begins, and Flo is traveling all over the wor...more
no rating
An unexpected adventure begins when principal Walter Russ requests a catalog from Flowing Waters Fountain, etc. The current drinking fountain in Dry Creek Middle School has sprung a leak. Florence Waters is uniquely individual, as are all her fountains. She asks Mr. Sam N.'s fifth-grade class for their suggestions on what the fountain should look like. Needless to say, there is a wide range of ideas. Soon the project begins, and Flo is traveling all over the wor...more
In this humorous, gentle mystery the students of Sam N.'s 5th grade class find out what happened 30 years ago when the creek for which the town was named dried up and Spring Creek, MO became Dry Creek. The story is revealed through a collection of letters, memos, postcards, illustrations and newspaper clippings. When the middle school's water fountain leaks, Principal Walter (Wally) Russ has his secretary, Goldie Fisch write to Florence Waters to request a catalog and price list for a new, plain...more
This book was such a delight to read! A whole mystery unfolds through correspondence between the school principal, school secretary, an eccentric fountain designer, a fifth grade class, and a few other memos and newspaper articles. I've never read a book of correspondence that flows so well and keeps me turning pages. Even though each bit of correspondence is brief (making it easy to fit in the next "chapter" quickly), I still couldn't put it down save the time I needed to drive from the writing...more
This is a nifty little book, told entirely in letters and drawings. I'm a sucker for that sort of thing.
Published well before the current trend toward novels with drawings and hybrid graphic novels, it has recently been re-issued in hard-cover.
It has a certain type of middle-grade humor that doesn't quite work for me as a adult reader--almost every character's name is a pun--but kids of a certain bent will love that aspect!
The subtle theme of student empowerment and creativity in the classroom i...more
Published well before the current trend toward novels with drawings and hybrid graphic novels, it has recently been re-issued in hard-cover.
It has a certain type of middle-grade humor that doesn't quite work for me as a adult reader--almost every character's name is a pun--but kids of a certain bent will love that aspect!
The subtle theme of student empowerment and creativity in the classroom i...more
Review from the blog (www.littlezombies.net)
This book is so clever. If you have reluctant reader, this one should help entertain. It's a SILLY novel and since it's written in letters, memos, postcards, etc, it's mostly just "conversations". I'm the type of person who sometimes gets bored with overdescriptions but loves the talking parts, so this book was much more that....talking.
The ending had some newspaper clippings and other documents ("documents" for fear of sort of spoiling) that weren't...more
This book is so clever. If you have reluctant reader, this one should help entertain. It's a SILLY novel and since it's written in letters, memos, postcards, etc, it's mostly just "conversations". I'm the type of person who sometimes gets bored with overdescriptions but loves the talking parts, so this book was much more that....talking.
The ending had some newspaper clippings and other documents ("documents" for fear of sort of spoiling) that weren't...more
Clever story, told all in letters and newspaper articles, about a middle school in small-town Missouri whose water fountain is leaking. They "hire" a fountain designer to install a new one, which sets into motion an interesting and humorous chain of events. I'm a fan of Kate Klise and this one is well worth the time. This will be my kids' book club read for September.
P.S. Daniel originally read this one and said he didn't care for it because he was "not interested in reading other people's mail...more
P.S. Daniel originally read this one and said he didn't care for it because he was "not interested in reading other people's mail...more
Delightful. Truly delightful.
And being mired in an organization where I am charged with being creative while balancing that creativity on a general ledger and booking a profit, I found particular joy in the exchanges between Florence Waters and Walter Russ, the principal of the school.
Principal Russ requests, "Product: drinking fountain. Style: plain. Price: modest."
Florence Waters answers, "You sound just like the author of that little book of directions that came with my blender."
I left this b...more
And being mired in an organization where I am charged with being creative while balancing that creativity on a general ledger and booking a profit, I found particular joy in the exchanges between Florence Waters and Walter Russ, the principal of the school.
Principal Russ requests, "Product: drinking fountain. Style: plain. Price: modest."
Florence Waters answers, "You sound just like the author of that little book of directions that came with my blender."
I left this b...more
I love this book! It is such a fun book for the older grades (4-6). It is a book about a class that has a problem with their school drinking fountain, so the students have to write letters telling what they would like done and what they want their new drinking fountain to look like. This book allows for your students to get involved and be creative while reading it. It is also a great book to use for checking for comprehension skills throughout it. I really recommend reading this books if your a...more
The format is a series of letters, newspaper clippings, telegrams, etc. from the middle school students, administrators, teachers, and the famous fountain designer, Florence. The plot is a fairly simple mystery, but it's a very fun and delightful story. I've read through it many times and enjoy the different personalities brought by all the characters. The illustrations throughout are absolutely wonderful, as well. I seriously can't count the number of times I've read this, but I know I will rea...more
Cute, fun book by Kate Klise that is written through letters and documents between the characters. I liked that the title came from a line in many of the letters or memos, and the characters names were hysterical. The teacher, Sam N. with his student band, Tune-A-Combo? Too funny! I think many kids will enjoy this book, even if they don't like reading, because it is written in such an unusual style compared to what they are used to. There are interesting facts in the book as well, that make it m...more
Mar 05, 2012
Drew Graham
added it
(Note: I have decided to go back and add some reviews for the books I have read in the last couple of years but haven't reviewed yet. Keep in mind that these reviews are based on readings several years ago, so my feelings or memories about them may have altered with the passage of time.)
Told through memos, notes, newspaper articles and other documents, this book tells the story of fountain designer Florence Waters and her quest to build an epic fountain for the children of Dry Creek, Missouri.
I...more
Told through memos, notes, newspaper articles and other documents, this book tells the story of fountain designer Florence Waters and her quest to build an epic fountain for the children of Dry Creek, Missouri.
I...more
The water fountain at Dry Creek Middle School (formerly Spring Creek Middle School) is leaking and Principal Walter Russ is convinced that it needs to be replaced. So Secretary Goldie Fisch writes to Ms. Flo Waters of Flowing Waters Fountains, Etc. requesting a catalog. Instead of a catalog, Goldie receives a letter from Ms. Waters (Flo hates phones!) requesting permission to visit the school so that she can design a one-of-a-kind fountain just for them. First though she needs to know what the s...more
This book is like no other! I grab a copy whenever I find one at Half Price books. The ones I have are held together by tape. Third graders love the humor in the book, but do need prompting to begin making connections. A former student, now a Senior in HS, found Regarding the Sink and loaned it to me to read a few years after being in my class. There are always students who ask for more by the same author. This is one book from my classroom shelf that is sure to go epidemic nearly every year.
The water fountain next to the fifth grade class room of Dry Creek Middle School leaks and needs to be fixed/replaced, depending on who you talk to. The 5th grade class offers many suggestions for its replacement to the fountain designer, but the school board president and the owner of the local water company think it can be fixed. While investigating their town's history for an upcoming celebration, the class stumbles on a few interesting coincidences.
Delightful little book - easy read! The st...more
Delightful little book - easy read! The st...more
I just read this book - it is super cute! Your 3-5 grader who enjoys graphic novel or journal type books will be charmed. The Florence Waters character asked to design and bulid a fountain for the middle school is a hoot especially in her exchanges with the straight-laced, by-the-books principal. And in the process of getting a new fountain, Mr. N's 5th grade class uncovers a mystery and battles for justice! It is one of a series but I'm not sure if the characters carry over.
An early Klise creation. Fun and punny in that typical Klise style. This is your usual Klise... kids with an issue, an understanding and unconventional adult who helps them, and your usual suspects in the villian department all written in an epistolary style. I liked this one but didn't find it as creative and original as "43 Cemetery Road". I think Klise has definitely perfected her craft along the way but this is certainly worth reading... especially if you are a Kate Klise fan!
The Klise sisters make wonderful book delights together. I read this one years ago when it first came out, zipped thru it, and was charmed by the way the visuals moved the story along. A graphic novel? no. A prose chapter book? Also no. A unique blend of book and illustrations that delights? Yes.
Finally got around to reading another in a newer series. Will have to go back to the rest of this series.
Finally got around to reading another in a newer series. Will have to go back to the rest of this series.
This is a good book about a school that deperately needs a new water fountan.They call a women named florence waters,she is a disiner in fountens.But they never thought that they would end up in such a big mess!she not only makes werd disinse she and this 5th grade class are mailing eachother,because she does not have a phone.Can you help them find there way through the big mess!
It's VERY different than just one book, different then the setting too. Regarding the Fountain is a book with letters, a HUGE lie, and amusing things. IT's a great story about a classroom and a few teachers, the classroom reccomends a new fountain to replace the leaking one, read on to find out more!
P.S. It's also for your summer reading list
get it? P.S. like a letter?
NOT FUNNY
P.S. It's also for your summer reading list
get it? P.S. like a letter?
NOT FUNNY
I have to say, this is really torn between a 3 and a 4 star book. I liked it lots, but I think the books in the series get better and better as they go. I loved the characters, especially Flo of course--and I must admit, yeah, I kinda loved the pun names. I'm just that only-slightly-corny type of person. Lovely book. Keep reading these Kate Klise books!
The water fountain at Dry Creek Middle School is leaking, and needs to be replaced, since it has leaked since the school was opened 30 years ago. Florence Waters has been contacted to replace the fountain, but as a fountain designer, her idea of what will be put there is quite a bit different from what the principal wants. And that is if the head of the school board aproves the purchase in the first place. As the fifth grade class researches things for Florence, as well as for the history projec...more
A mystery told through letters, postcards, notes, receipts and all manner of written words. The fountain in the school is broken and the fifth graders are given the opportunity to choose a new one. During the research and design they learn about the history of the school and the people in the community and much more! Clever, engaging and humorous!
An epistolary novel written mainly as a series of letters between an eccentric sculptor and a fifth grade class. Though the characters are a bit generalized, it is fun to watch the school principal's blood pressure rise and the students uncover the mystery of the town's dry spell. I especially chuckled over the clever newspaper clippings.
i am going to the reading reptile's children lit festival in a couple of weeks, so i am reading books by each of the authors. this was quite clever and cute. a nice young reader book written in letters by a missouri author and illustrated by her sister.
who ever thought a water fountain in an elementary school could lead to such creativity?
who ever thought a water fountain in an elementary school could lead to such creativity?
This story unfolds as a series of letters, drawing, and newspaper articles. Full of word play, puns, and lots of perspectives, this book introduces a group of elementary school kids and staff and one pretty darned amazing Jacqueline of all trades in a fun romp through misunderstandings, mysteries, and the school year.
I really like these books, it's a book made out of letters, the whole story is made with letters, not a single word which is not in a letter. It kind of explains everyday life in middle school. Well not my school, but my old school. I really like Kate Klise's books. I recommend it to pre-teens, and teens! :))
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