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17th out of 50 books
—
21 voters
The Lemonade Club
Everyone loves Miss Wichelman?s fifth-grade class?especially best friends Traci and Marilyn. That?s where they learn that when life hands you lemons, make lemonade! They are having a great year until Traci begins to notice some changes in Marilyn. She?s losing weight, and seems tired all the time. She has leukemia?and a tough road of chemotherapy ahead. It is not only Trac...more
Hardcover, 48 pages
Published
September 20th 2007
by Philomel
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Patricia Polacco is truly one amazing author! She has written books like “Mr. Lincoln’s Way” which discusses racism, “Thank you Mr. Falker,” which discusses dyslexia and “Babushka’s Doll” which discusses patience and all of these books are truly inspirational! This time, Patricia Polacco has written a book about cancer called “The Lemonade Club” and it is about how Traci and her teacher Miss Wichelman try to help Marilyn through her cancer. “The Lemonade Club” is clearly one of Patricia Polacco’...more
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I love Patricia Polacco books I think she is an amazing author. I had never heard of this book of hers before but like all her other books it is awesome it takes such a hard subject and makes it easier to understand.
Summary-
Traci and Marilyn are best friends and they do almost everything together, they even have class together with Miss Wichelman. Everyone adores Miss Wichelman and she always tells him or her make lemonade out of the lemons life hands you. Traci starts to notice some changes in...more
Summary-
Traci and Marilyn are best friends and they do almost everything together, they even have class together with Miss Wichelman. Everyone adores Miss Wichelman and she always tells him or her make lemonade out of the lemons life hands you. Traci starts to notice some changes in...more
Polacco has an almost magical ability to tell powerful, yet beautiful stories. In “The Lemonade Club,” Polacco is telling a true story that involves her daughter, Traci, Traci’s best friend, Marilyn, and their fifth grade teacher, Miss Wichelman.
Traci and Marilyn were best friends and did everything together---as best friends do. They were even in the same class and they both loved their teacher, Miss Wichelman. Miss Wichelman was loved because she encouraged her students to dream and to overco...more
Traci and Marilyn were best friends and did everything together---as best friends do. They were even in the same class and they both loved their teacher, Miss Wichelman. Miss Wichelman was loved because she encouraged her students to dream and to overco...more
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During my senoir year of high school i was enrolled in a tutoring program to help the younger kids. i was lucky enough to be able to work in the library and help read to the kids , it was alot of fun. well one day i arrived and was told that all the kids were on a field trip and i could just work on my homework which was music to my ears since i had 2 essays due in the next month and had trouble finding time to work on them. i was walking through the asiles and the book Pink and Say jumped out a...more
Polacco, P. (2007). The lemonade club. New York: Philomel Books.
Summary:
Best friends Traci and Marilyn love Miss Wichelman’s fifth grade class, where she makes them believe them can be anything and get through anything. When they learn that Marilyn has leukemia, the teacher and class all support her the best they can, especially Traci. As Marilyn begins to get better, Traci and Marilyn meet with Miss W. and become “The Lemonade Club”. However, Miss W. soon shares with the girls and the rest of t...more
Summary:
Best friends Traci and Marilyn love Miss Wichelman’s fifth grade class, where she makes them believe them can be anything and get through anything. When they learn that Marilyn has leukemia, the teacher and class all support her the best they can, especially Traci. As Marilyn begins to get better, Traci and Marilyn meet with Miss W. and become “The Lemonade Club”. However, Miss W. soon shares with the girls and the rest of t...more
Great book. I loved it. It's about a girl whose best friend and then her teacher battle cancer and beat it. They learn how to make lemons out of lemonade. Bright, vibrant colors. Looks like pictures drawn with pencils and paint. Words separated from pictures. Would definitely recommend it.
Polacco, P. (2007). The Lemonade Club. New York: Philomel Books.
Patricia Polacco writes another story based upon events in her life with the story of Traci and Marilyn, who are best friends in Ms. Wichelman’s...more
Polacco, P. (2007). The Lemonade Club. New York: Philomel Books.
Patricia Polacco writes another story based upon events in her life with the story of Traci and Marilyn, who are best friends in Ms. Wichelman’s...more
Beetle and I headed for the public library this evening for a special father-daughter evening out. She had great fun reading Ranger Rick and checking out several books. I was stimulated to find some new read alouds for my class. To that end, I went and fetched a Patricia Polacco book I had not read previously.
This book is not a book I would read to my class. Anytime a book deals with diets and flat chests, I will pass, thankyouverymuch.
It is a touching story of two best friends in fifth grade. O...more
This book is not a book I would read to my class. Anytime a book deals with diets and flat chests, I will pass, thankyouverymuch.
It is a touching story of two best friends in fifth grade. O...more
The winner of the day, without a doubt, was Patricia Polacco’s The Lemonade Club. Truly inspirational, real and a joy to read.
Following your dreams, not letting setbacks; even debilitation struggles with leukemia or Breast Cancer, stop you.
This book is about one of her daughter’s, Traci’s, best friends, Marilyn and their 5th grade teacher, Cynthia Wichelman.
Great true inspiration.
I was first introduced to Polacco's amazing stories in 2001, when teaching at the now defunct St. Ann's Middle Schoo...more
Following your dreams, not letting setbacks; even debilitation struggles with leukemia or Breast Cancer, stop you.
This book is about one of her daughter’s, Traci’s, best friends, Marilyn and their 5th grade teacher, Cynthia Wichelman.
Great true inspiration.
I was first introduced to Polacco's amazing stories in 2001, when teaching at the now defunct St. Ann's Middle Schoo...more
Genre- Picture Book
Reading Level- K-4
Topic and Themes- Cancer and friendship
Curricula use- Read Aloud
Social- Dealing with a life threatening disease and how support from friends makes a difference
Literary Element- A fifth grade girl is diagnosed with leukemia and her class rallies together to support her. This book is based on a true story.
Text and Pictures- The text and pictures go together to illustrate this heart warming story
Summary- "The Lemonade Club", by Patricia Polacco. This is an extra...more
Reading Level- K-4
Topic and Themes- Cancer and friendship
Curricula use- Read Aloud
Social- Dealing with a life threatening disease and how support from friends makes a difference
Literary Element- A fifth grade girl is diagnosed with leukemia and her class rallies together to support her. This book is based on a true story.
Text and Pictures- The text and pictures go together to illustrate this heart warming story
Summary- "The Lemonade Club", by Patricia Polacco. This is an extra...more
Age:
Grades 2-4
Genre:
fiction based on true-story
Diversity:
cancer; overcoming adversity
Illustrations:
Illustrations look like they were drawn with pencil and markers.
Personal response:
Wow, what an heart-warming story. I was moved by the classmates in the story to support their classmate, Marilyn. The book brings a serious issue into light to help children deal with overcoming challenges. I was surprised to see the pictures in the back of the book and find out that the story is based on real people....more
Grades 2-4
Genre:
fiction based on true-story
Diversity:
cancer; overcoming adversity
Illustrations:
Illustrations look like they were drawn with pencil and markers.
Personal response:
Wow, what an heart-warming story. I was moved by the classmates in the story to support their classmate, Marilyn. The book brings a serious issue into light to help children deal with overcoming challenges. I was surprised to see the pictures in the back of the book and find out that the story is based on real people....more
This is such a touching story and the fact that it is true makes it all the more wonderful. We've been reading Patricia Polacco's books for over a year now and we are always on the hunt for one that we haven't read yet. Her books are usually a top choice for one of our bedtime stories and more often than not, I find myself in tears or choking back the tears. Such is the case with this book. It is a wonderful and heartfelt tribute to a period in her daughter's life when life was truly handing out...more
I'm working on creating a booklist for my local public library. This book was one in consideration for this list.
This will not be on my list. It is a very touching story about friends, dealing with cancer, making the most out of life. However, it doesn't specifically or peripherally address manners issues like I am trying to compile.
I think this book is best used as a one to one recommendation for almost any age. I also think it's a good book to use for adults learning to read. The sentences are...more
This will not be on my list. It is a very touching story about friends, dealing with cancer, making the most out of life. However, it doesn't specifically or peripherally address manners issues like I am trying to compile.
I think this book is best used as a one to one recommendation for almost any age. I also think it's a good book to use for adults learning to read. The sentences are...more
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A touching story about best friends Traci and Marilyn and their wonderful teacher Miss Wichelman. Marilyn get leukemia and Tracy, Miss Wichelman, and the entire class rallly to help Marilyn feel better and support her through her recovery. The girls in turn, offer their love and support when their beloved teacher faces her own cancer battle. This book is truly a case of making lemonade when life gives you lemons.
This is based on a true story, which makes it even more powerful, and i appreciated...more
This is based on a true story, which makes it even more powerful, and i appreciated...more
Apr 01, 2011
Caitlin Graves
added it
Terminal illnesses can be so difficult to explain to children but often times they are the most inspirational thing that could happen at the time! This true story teaches us that no matter what life gives you, you can count on others to help you make it better. This is such a touching story about friendship and courage. I think that this is the perfect story to read when something like cancer becomes personal to a class or a student. Even if there are students with family members with cancer, th...more
Dec 17, 2009
Lisa Vegan
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
8-11 year olds & all the way up; anyone dealing with cancer, especially childhood cancer
Another book by this author that made me cry! Her books drive me crazy because they’re so close to non-fiction. Because there are photos in the back of the book of three “characters” and the author, I so want to move this book to the non-fiction shelf, but I’ll refrain because I suspect some specifics in the story are probably based on truth but not non-fiction.
This might be my fourth favorite of the (now nine) Polacco books I’ve read so far. (I have another eight at home that I plan to read fa...more
This might be my fourth favorite of the (now nine) Polacco books I’ve read so far. (I have another eight at home that I plan to read fa...more
6 likes · like · see review
A wonderful, heart-warming book written in typical Polacco style. This story, as most of her books are, is based on true events. This is the story of her daughter's fifth grade class. Her best friend is chubby and because of this is mercilessly teased by classmates, when over the course of the year, her friend mysteriously starts losing weight and is exhausted much of the time. Sadly, the friend has leukemia, yet with chemotherapy and medical care she rebounds. But, what is most heart-warming is...more
Genre: Picture book, realistic
Reading Level: Transitional
Topics & Themes: Teacher with breast cancer. Best friend with leukemia. Fellow student with leukemia. Achieving your dreams. Overcoming cancer. Teacher-student close relationships
Curricular Use: Independent
Social: What defines beauty: flat-chested and brides
Literary Elements: The lemonade club: using a well known saying “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade” throughout to keep the overall mood positive. Foreshadowing of somethin...more
Reading Level: Transitional
Topics & Themes: Teacher with breast cancer. Best friend with leukemia. Fellow student with leukemia. Achieving your dreams. Overcoming cancer. Teacher-student close relationships
Curricular Use: Independent
Social: What defines beauty: flat-chested and brides
Literary Elements: The lemonade club: using a well known saying “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade” throughout to keep the overall mood positive. Foreshadowing of somethin...more
I like how Polacco takes a real life experience and so kindfully, playfully lays out the values the main characters and then the others at the party onwards convey. It makes for a thoughtful discussion piece for children to think and express their views (which I feel would be many). Best for Grade 3 - 6 but you could read it to younger kids depending on how you present the book (may need seem reduction of less important parts but on the whole the story is so human, it'd take little modifying to...more
Feb 02, 2011
Gail Barge
added it
What a lovely (and true) story. When terminal illness strikes young students it is often so hard to explain to the students the gravity of the situation, while maintaining a hopeful attitude. After reading this story and discovering it was true, I was so inspired to keep a hopeful attitude when "like gives you lemons". A great book to use for a student battling illness and his or her classmates who may not understand the illness. A good book for any cancer patient!
I thought the story (reflective of a true story) is beautiful and touching.
One thing I would like to address, however, is ...
When Traci and Marilyn learn that there teacher/dear friend has cancer (as Marilyn had) and would require surgery, they make a friendly comment "So you're going to be flat-chested like us, right?" With additional, "Fashion models are flat-chested, and they are considered the most beautiful women on earth!" I took this in the context the author meant it, I believe. Being l...more
One thing I would like to address, however, is ...
When Traci and Marilyn learn that there teacher/dear friend has cancer (as Marilyn had) and would require surgery, they make a friendly comment "So you're going to be flat-chested like us, right?" With additional, "Fashion models are flat-chested, and they are considered the most beautiful women on earth!" I took this in the context the author meant it, I believe. Being l...more
Reading level-1-4
Genre-Picture book/true story
Topic- Community, relationships, illness
Social- Dealing with cancer and how to show support for someone with cancer
Curricula Use-independent, guided
Literary Elements- true story
Text and pictures- The picture go along with the story but some depict scary looking faces which don't show support to me.
Summary- Marilyn and her teacher both get cancer and end up encouraging and supporting each other.
Genre-Picture book/true story
Topic- Community, relationships, illness
Social- Dealing with cancer and how to show support for someone with cancer
Curricula Use-independent, guided
Literary Elements- true story
Text and pictures- The picture go along with the story but some depict scary looking faces which don't show support to me.
Summary- Marilyn and her teacher both get cancer and end up encouraging and supporting each other.
Based on real life people and events from Patricia Polacco's own life, The Lemonade Club is an emotional and touching story about overcoming obstacles, no matter how large. Miss Wichelman is a fifth grade teacher who always keeps a fresh basket of lemonades on her desk to daily remind the class that if life hands you lemons you can always turn it into something sweet. That sentiment was tested very much the year this story takes place.
Understanding and dealing with the devastating effects of cancer is a very difficult concept for children to deal with. However, many children can relate to having a special bond with a teacher, dealing with taunts from children about their appearances, and having an obstacle stand in the way of their dreams. Through these elements, Patricia tells the story of her daughter in this heartwarming tale of friendship in the face of adversity.
Best friends Marilyn and Traci and their 5th grade teacher Miss Wichelman, come together to form the Lemonade club after Marilyn is diagnosed with leukemia. The 5th grade class comes together to support Marilyn through her tough time. It turns out that Marilyn and Miss Wichelman have more in common than they thought. I'd use this book to teach perspective. It's telling the story about Marilyn through a narrator, but it shows the feelings and points of view from Traci, Marilyn and Miss Wichelman.
Everyone loves Miss Wichelman's fifth-grade class'especially best friends Traci and Marilyn. That's where they learn that when life hands you lemons, make lemonade! They are having a great year until Traci begins to notice some changes in Marilyn. She's losing weight, and seems tired all the time. She has leukemia'and a tough road of chemotherapy ahead. It is not only Traci and Miss Wichelman who stand up for her, but in a surprising and unexpected turn, the whole fifth-grade class, who figures...more
Two fifth-grade girls are best friends. Traci starts to notice that Marilyn is looking different, and ultimately it ends up she has leukemia. The teacher helps the entire fifth grade class support Marilyn. If someone developed leukemia, it would be a good transition/informational piece.
I loved the Lemonade Club. Patricia Polacco is such a good writer. She sometimes makes you laugh and cry in the same story. My fourth graders really liked this book. It opened them up to a child and adult both dealing with serious illnesses.
Sniff! Tissue alert! I love the way that, once again, Ms. Polacco takes a short, simply-illustrated story and connects cultures and ages in a warm, human story. This is a true story, too, and that makes it all the more touching.
this one made me cry right there in the classroom as i read it over the heads of the kids. the struggles of the two girls in their friendship and the hard ships they went through with cancer, and life to unite them forever.
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