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236th out of 250 books
—
286 voters
Being Teddy Roosevelt
Riley O’Rourke is writing his report on President Teddy Roosevelt in preparation for the fourth-grade biography tea, but he has a far more important goal: to get a saxophone so he can take instrumental music. His mother can’t afford to rent him a sax, and he’s sure he’ll never save up enough money to buy one. But as Riley learns more about Roosevelt’s “bully” spirit, he r
Hardcover, 90 pages
Published
February 20th 2007
by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
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More than anything, nine-year-old Riley O'Rourke wants to play the saxophone in music class. Unfortunately, Riley’s mum cannot afford to buy or rent an instrument for the boy.
In the meantime, Riley's fourth-grade class is busy preparing for a biography tea in which students will attend dressed as the famous people they have researched and written about. Riley is assigned Teddy Roosevelt.
As Riley reads about the explorer, soldier, and President with the can-do attitude, he begins to set goals a...more
In the meantime, Riley's fourth-grade class is busy preparing for a biography tea in which students will attend dressed as the famous people they have researched and written about. Riley is assigned Teddy Roosevelt.
As Riley reads about the explorer, soldier, and President with the can-do attitude, he begins to set goals a...more
Inspiration comes from unlikely places, especially for Riley O'Rourke. Who knew that Teddy Roosevelt would have given him the incentive to get what he really wanted...a saxophone. Mrs. Harrow assigns a famous person to each student to report on during their Biography Tea. Riley researches, reports on, and virtually becomes Teddy Roosevelt for the day. He talks like him, dresses like him, and acts like him. Teddy is full of perseverance in the face of adversity and attacks every problem with a we...more
Summary: When he is assigned Teddy Roosevelt as his biography project in school, 4th grader Riley finds himself inspired by Roosevelt's tenacity and perseverance and resolves to find a way to get what he most wants - a saxophone and music lessons.
Funny read. It had me laughing out loud! Would work great as a read aloud to a class that is working on bio projects. Riley doesn't have a perfect life. He is being raised by his single mom and money is tight. Riley isn't the best student but is determ...more
Funny read. It had me laughing out loud! Would work great as a read aloud to a class that is working on bio projects. Riley doesn't have a perfect life. He is being raised by his single mom and money is tight. Riley isn't the best student but is determ...more
Aug 01, 2009
Regina
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
3rd or 4th graders embarking on biography projects
Recommended to Regina by:
2010 Children's Sequoyah Masterlist
Shelves:
kids-books,
books-i-ve-reviewed
Very nice book for 3rd or 4th graders to read with a teacher, especially before starting a biography project (which seem to crop up in 3rd or 4th grade). It was a fun short-read and an excellent book for getting kids started on reading real chapter books. Humor, believable characters, a look at research, a kid who decides he must emulate his biography subject Teddy Roosevelt, and persevere if he is to accomplish his goal of playing the saxophone. Along the way, he learns a lot about Theodore Roo...more
In this story, Riley, a fourth grader, is a mediocre student (and that is him trying his best!) who has a panache for forgetting about things. Riley is raised by his mother in a household where money is tight. Sadly, though Riley has fallen in love with the alto saxophone and jazz music, he won’t be able to learn how to play the instrument since his mother cannot afford to either rent or buy a sax for Riley. But when Riley is assigned to write a biography about the U.S. President Teddy Roosevelt...more
Riley is a young man who has to pick a historical figure to write a report on in school. He ends up learning about Teddy Roosevelt and how he strives to overcome adversity at every turn. Riley longs to learn how to play the saxaphone, but because of money problems he can't afford one. With help from his friends and a little luck, Riley learns how to get things done the honest way. A great read for young readers. Filled with great illustrations, this is a great addition to any collection.
Riley O’Rourke is not so good at keeping track of things. He’s constantly losing his notebooks and homework, and his report card shows it. When his teachers announces a big biography project that will culminate in a tea party where everyone dresses up as their famous person and gives a report on them, Riley thinks he might rather die.
While studying Teddy Roosevelt for his 4th grade biography assignment, Riley is inspired by TR's determination and perseverance. Riley uses these traits to figure out a way to get the saxophone he so desperately wants.
Grades 2-4. A short and easy-to-read chapter book that would be especially appropriate for the reluctant 4th grade reader.
Grades 2-4. A short and easy-to-read chapter book that would be especially appropriate for the reluctant 4th grade reader.
Realistic story about a boy who changes his destiny because of a book report. Claudia Mills created a heart-warming story around the backdrop of the poverty of our time. An ordinary boy who struggles in school while his single mom struggles to pay the bills is inspired to go the extra mile to get what he wants after reading a biography of Teddy Roosevelt.
The 5 stars is given for the book's ability to make an impact on my student's reading. I had a group of my 5th graders, middle level ability, read this book for guided reading. The students really enjoyed reading this book. They were engaged in the reading and able to move through the packet with good progress.
this is a fun little book about a school assignment where kids have to dress up like famous people in history. One poor kid has to dress up like Ghandi but really gets into it and the results are both touching and funny. A great little book.
A fine middle grade book about how to problem solve with lessons on some famous people from history. The book is not quite subtle about its lessons, but on the other hand, it isn't bludgeoning you over the head, either.
this is the cutest book
esp. for reluctant readers,
(esp. boys)
cut pictures
funny, funny
main character...
just the right amount
of text...
i will recommend highly
to kids!
esp. for reluctant readers,
(esp. boys)
cut pictures
funny, funny
main character...
just the right amount
of text...
i will recommend highly
to kids!
This book really helped paint a picture for what I wanted to "Hall of Fame" to look like with my students last year. Glad I shared it with them!
Read this one while at the pool today. Not a difficult read, will be just right for some of the kiddos in my class this fall. Enjoyed the characters and how they really got into their biography project!
Great story of determination, friendship and historical figures.
Sep 25, 2009
Tara Hixon
added it
Elementary. Cute for a unit on biographies, but not a must-read.
So cute. Much love to this wonderful little book!
Oct 25, 2009
Katherine
added it
It was a very realalistic book It's a ICCA.
I liked that it was about history.
Preparation for the 4th-grade "Biography Tea" in which each student impersonates the famous person whose biography he or she read leads Riley to become more responsible as he learns about Teddy Roosevelt. The Rough Rider's determination to overcome difficult health and personal problems inspire Riley to work hard to improve his school work and to earn the saxophone he dreams of playing. This is a gentle story and a quick read with characters who are both likeable and totally believable.
Riley and everyone in his class has to pick a famous person, read their biography, and then act like that person during a tea. Riley is Teddy Roosevelt. At the same time Riley really wants to be able to play an instrument in the school band but he and his mom don't have the money for it. Can Riley use what he learned about Teddy Roosevelt to help him get what he really really wants. Cute book that would be a good intro to a third grade biography project. Teachers will like this one.
YES for our library.
This was a fine book for our younger readers (3, 4, and maybe 5), but it felt much to young to fit in our list of books for the award. The story wasn't gripping enough and lacked the substance to stand out as an outstanding read. True, not all books need to... but against the other titles we're considering, Being Teddy Roosevelt can't hold its own.
This was a fine book for our younger readers (3, 4, and maybe 5), but it felt much to young to fit in our list of books for the award. The story wasn't gripping enough and lacked the substance to stand out as an outstanding read. True, not all books need to... but against the other titles we're considering, Being Teddy Roosevelt can't hold its own.
I liked this book because I was a history major in college and it's a great way to teach kids about history. Plus I got to meet the author and she's amazing! Writing all of her books from 5-7 in the morning over Swiss Miss Cocoa!
Cute. Liked it more than I thought I would. It would be great to actually implement (in a school or public library)the afternoon tea with kids dressed up as historical figures-after researching them of ocurse.
Claudia mills has a talent for weaving two seemingly unrelated stories together and creating believable characters. this is a great chapter book for elementary kids.
Jan 05, 2008
babyhippoface
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
classroom teachers who'd like to have a Living History Day
Shelves:
kids-fiction,
social-studies
Excellent choice for reading aloud to a classroom to introduce a Biography project or Living History Day.
Great quick read! This 2009-2010 Iowa Children's Choice book was delightful. Good choice Iowa!
May 06, 2013
Man Solo
marked it as to-read
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Claudia Mills is the author of How Oliver Olson Changed the World, 7 x 9 = Trouble!, Being Teddy Roosevelt, and many other books for children. She was born in New York City in 1954. She received her bachelor's degree from Wellesley College, her master's degree from Princeton University, and a Ph.D. in philosophy from Princeton University. She also received an M.L.S. degree from the University of M...more
More about Claudia Mills...
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