Two-time Newbery Medalist Lois Lowry introduces a new girl in class who loves being the center of attention and tells the most entertaining “...
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Dec 06, 2011
Tonya
rated it: 
Transitional
This is a story about an interesting elementary school student name Gooney Bird Greene. Gooney is not your ordinary student, she is very confident in herself and loves to be the center of attention. She begins school a month after it has started. As if that isn't enough, she wears pajamas and cowboy boots on her first day at school. She then requests a seat in the middle of the classroom because she likes to be" smack dab in the middle of things." To elaborat More...
This is a story about an interesting elementary school student name Gooney Bird Greene. Gooney is not your ordinary student, she is very confident in herself and loves to be the center of attention. She begins school a month after it has started. As if that isn't enough, she wears pajamas and cowboy boots on her first day at school. She then requests a seat in the middle of the classroom because she likes to be" smack dab in the middle of things." To elaborat More...
Nov 27, 2011
Barrett
rated it:
Gooney Bird Greene is a new student at Watertower Elementary, who comes to school wearing pajamas and cowboy boots, among many other interesting clothes the following days. From her first day of school, she always wants to be the center of attention; whether that is wearing unique clothes or sitting in the middle of the classroom. When her teacher allows students to tell a story, Gooney is able to keep the classroom on their seats with her "absolutely true" stories, even though they s
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Oct 26, 2010
N_allie082184
rated it: 
Gooney Bird Greene is a precocious, well traveled, honest 2nd grader that is sure to make your primary grade students howl in laughter. One fall day Gooney Bird shows up in Mrs. Pidgeons class dressed quite unusually with an air of mystery. The students in the class no longer are interested in what Mrs. Pidgeon has to say, but instead want to know about Gooney Bird. To appease her students, Mrs. Pidgeon allows her new student to tell one story each day. Gooney Bird's first story is about com
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Oct 25, 2009
From Booklist
Gr. 2-5. Veteran author Lowry produces a laugh-out-loud chapter book with a lead character who could easily be the younger sister of Spinelli's Stargirl (2000). Gooney Bird appears in Mrs. Pidgeon's second-grade class one October, asking for a desk "right smack in the middle of the room" because she likes to be in the middle of everything. She dresses the part, too: it's pj's and cowboy boots that first day, green stretch pants, a polka-dot T-shirt, and a tutu More...
Nov 20, 2011
Betsie
rated it:
TRANSITIONAL
Gooney Bird Greene is a new student at Watertower Elementary, and she is quite an interesting character. She walks into Mrs. Pidgeon's second grade class half-way through the first semester wearing a unique ensemble and with a million "absolutely true" stories to tell. Her teacher indulges her new start student when the class has time for a story, yet she attempts to see the validity in Gooney Bird's stories. Gooney Bird's seemingly far-fetched stories are not al More...
Gooney Bird Greene is a new student at Watertower Elementary, and she is quite an interesting character. She walks into Mrs. Pidgeon's second grade class half-way through the first semester wearing a unique ensemble and with a million "absolutely true" stories to tell. Her teacher indulges her new start student when the class has time for a story, yet she attempts to see the validity in Gooney Bird's stories. Gooney Bird's seemingly far-fetched stories are not al More...
Jul 03, 2011
When Gooney Bird Greene moved to Watertower, the other students in her second grade class at Watertower Elementary School became enthralled with their new classmate. Gooney Bird’s eccentric clothing makes her interesting, but it is her “absolutely true” stories that win over her classmates and teacher. She draws her classmates in with fascinating tag lines that seem impossible and holds their attention throughout with her superb storytelling skills. In the end, the class realizes how much they l
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Nov 28, 2011
shranicky
rated it:
This transitional book is so cute. Gooney Bird Greene is a new student at Watertower Elementary School and she is a very fascinating character. She wears interesting clothes and has a ton of stories to tell. Gooney’s first story was “How Gooney Bird Got Her Name” and it interested the children so much that they wanted to hear more of her stories. Ms. Pigeon, her teacher, wasn’t sure about the validity of her stories but we find out that they are not all imaginative. I loved this book because it’
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Sep 01, 2010
Erin
rated it: 
Reading the author's biography in the back, I found it odd that the author and illustrator "laughed so much about Gooney Bird Greene that it was hard to finish the book." While the book is certainly lighthearted and has a sense of fun, I just didn't find it ha ha funny. On the other hand, I'm apparently a grumpy old adult that enjoys sad books about death and dystopias. Regardless, I think that kids will enjoy this and that it would really make a good read aloud. It's largest fault
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Oct 20, 2011
Erika
rated it:
What a great book for second graders!! We read this aloud and my seven-year old adored it (and the other Gooney Bird books as well). It seemed to me to perfectly capture the dynamics of a second grade classroom. My daughter loved each character and felt a little as if she were part of Mrs. Pigeon's class along side Gooney Bird, Keiko, Barry, Felicia Ann, Malcolm, Beanie and all the others. I also love the wonderful instruction the whole series of books gives. I'm looking forward to reading these
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Nov 07, 2011
Erica -
rated it: 
A cute story about second-grader Gooney Bird Greene who tells outlandish stories that she claims are all true to her second grade class. The stories seem very implausible when she's in the middle of them but they wrap up nicely and you realize they are probably true.
This could be used to teach kids about story structure as a companion to other materials.
I'm embarrassed how long it took me to read this book. I read it over a weekend where I was lucky to read one or two pages at a time before fal More...
This could be used to teach kids about story structure as a companion to other materials.
I'm embarrassed how long it took me to read this book. I read it over a weekend where I was lucky to read one or two pages at a time before fal More...
Jan 03, 2010
Jackie
rated it:
When Gooney Bird Greene moves to a new school, she has lots and LOTS of stories to tell. And, of course, absolutely every one of them is true...even though they sound utterly impossible. With little twists and turns (ala Amelia Bedelia) they are true! In the meantime, Gooney Bird unknowingly (or does she really know) teaches the class about what it takes to be a great storyteller. Even 2nd grade teacher, Mrs. Pidgeon gets in the act and loves Gooney Bird's tall tales.
A humorous earl More...
A humorous earl More...
Dec 06, 2011
Susan
rated it:
Another really cute story - this time about a likable, quirky character named Gooney Bird. The book is really about storytelling and I loved the way Lowry jumps between the plot and Gooney Bird's "absolutely true" tales. There's some fun wordplay for the word nerds too.
Course evaluation:
Personal Response: This was a fun way to teach storytelling. Gooney Bird is a charming character and I greatly enjoyed the wordplay involved in her stories.
Evaluatio More...
Course evaluation:
Personal Response: This was a fun way to teach storytelling. Gooney Bird is a charming character and I greatly enjoyed the wordplay involved in her stories.
Evaluatio More...
Jan 19, 2011
Mrs.
rated it:
Gooney Bird Greene is a well written story with larger than normal text for beginning chapter book readers. Adding the black and white pen sketches throughout helps the beginning reader move from the picture books to the chapter book. Gooney Bird seems to have a great command of the English language and insight into her world from an adult perspective that readers will learn from Gooney Bird as well as be entertained with her character. This is the first book in the series written by this author
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Oct 04, 2011
Ramonamcconkie
rated it:
Homeschooling has begun again. Will I ever get to read more than elementary school literature again? Actually, I'm adding this book because this series is fantastic for being instructive (teaching anything from couplets to the meaning of ennui) and hilarious at the same time. It is rare to find a child's fiction book of this caliber. Thank you, Lois Lowry. Perfect for my daughter who has a hard time being motivated to read anything that actually stretches her mind.
Feb 10, 2010
Cynthia
rated it:
This is a well done story about storytelling. Gooney Bird is an unusual student in Mrs. Pidgeon's second grade class. The class is doing a unit on storytelling and instead of focusing on a historical figure, the class wants to know more about Gooney Bird Greene. Your kids won't even realize they're learning as Gooney Bird teaches them the elements of a great story. And the best part is that your children will see that every day happenings can become great stories.
Oct 13, 2011
Erica
rated it:
A cute story about second-grader Gooney Bird Greene who tells outlandish stories that she claims are all true to her second grade class. The stories seem very implausible when she's in the middle of them but they wrap up nicely and you realize they are probably true.
This could be used to teach kids about story structure as a companion to other materials.
I'm embarrassed how long it took me to read this book. I read it over a weekend where I was lucky to read one or two pa More...
This could be used to teach kids about story structure as a companion to other materials.
I'm embarrassed how long it took me to read this book. I read it over a weekend where I was lucky to read one or two pa More...
Oct 04, 2011
Bvlmc
rated it:
Gooney Bird Greene intrigues her second grade class with her quirkey outfits, captivating and attention grabbing stories and mature sense of self. Readers will enjoy figuring out the play on words that make Gooney Bird's stories "absolutely true" while more sophisticated readers will pick up on the lessons of story telling Gooney Bird shares with her class. Second graders everywhere will react to the enthusiasm and humor of class interactions.
Sep 25, 2011
~*~Teresa Gyllenhaal~*~
rated it:
I don't really know what to say about this book... other than the whole time I kept wondering "What is the point of this book?" and "For a second grader, Gooney Bird sure is bossy."
It wasn't a bad book, but for me, it wasn't a good one either. I still don't understand the point of the book (other than it must be "everyone has a story to tell and when you tell your story, make sure you're bossy while telling it").
There just wasn't anything real sp
It wasn't a bad book, but for me, it wasn't a good one either. I still don't understand the point of the book (other than it must be "everyone has a story to tell and when you tell your story, make sure you're bossy while telling it").
There just wasn't anything real sp
Dec 18, 2010
Zemkat
rated it:
I am a big fan of The Giver, so was excited to hear that Lois Lowry had written a book aimed at a younger audience.
The characters are fun and the stories are clever, but the theme is what struck me most: everyone has good stories to tell.
The characters are fun and the stories are clever, but the theme is what struck me most: everyone has good stories to tell.
Jan 06, 2009
Ellen
rated it:
Gooney Bird Greene loves to be the center of attention (just like most second graders) and only tells absolutely true stories. Gooney Bird is an excellent storyteller and tells a new story to her classroom every day. What's interesting is how Gooney Bird shows that words can mean different things than you might expect, for example, how Gooney Bird moved to her new home from China in a minivan.
A good book for second grade students who are ready for short chapter books.
A good book for second grade students who are ready for short chapter books.
Mar 21, 2010
Heidi
rated it:
A new 2nd grade student, Gooney Bird Greene, marches to her own drum. She coordinates her own fashion style (such as pajamas with cowboy boots), likes to be in the middle of everything, and most importantly, loves to tell stories, true stories about herself. The idea of the story I liked, but I did not find Gooney very funny. Her character seemed abrupt and the teacher was not assertive at all. It was okay.
Dec 13, 2010
Marisa
rated it:
Gooney Bird Greene is unique, to say the least. She dresses unlike anyone else in school, she’s very smart, and she tells fantastic stories. “How Gooney Bird Came from China on a Flying Carpet,” “Why Gooney Bird was Late for School Because She was Directing a Symphony Orchestra,” and “The Prince, the Palace, and the Diamond Earrings” are just a few examples – and they’re all true!
Mar 01, 2009
Todd
rated it:
About storytelling, really. Gooney Bird is new and entertains class each day with a new story within context of teacher teaching about writing stories (elements of good stories). So it'd be a good one for teachers to use in writing workshop. She misleads class with funky titles that, when taken literally, turn out to be more about the normal stuff of everyday life.
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Apr 05, 2011
Kate
rated it:
Gooney Bird Greene is new to the second grade classroom of Watertower Elementary School. Important things to know about Gooney Bird, she likes to be right smack in the middles of everything and she is an extraordinaire storyteller, of only absolutely true stories! Gooney Bird Greene is an wonderful and funny character in the true fashion Romona and Pippi Longstocking.
Nov 02, 2010
Missmath144
rated it:
Gooney Bird Greene is enticed into telling stories to her classmates and the teacher. In the process she gives them suggestions for writing good stories (and also advice on how to act in class when someone is speaking to them). It's cute and a useful story to start discussions about writing, about vocabulary, and about classroom behavior. 88 pages. A quick read.
Oct 19, 2011
Betsy
rated it:
I wanted to like this more than I did--I enjoyed it a lot for the most part, but I couldn't help but think that no teacher was going to let Gooney Bird run the classroom quite like she did--even though she was helping the dynamic in the room considerably. Her stories are charming and the characterization is terrific. This is more of a 3.5 star.
Jan 16, 2011
Gayle
rated it:
This was the latest read-aloud story with my girls -- we all loved Gooney Bird! My girls laughed at Gooney Bird's "absolutely true" stories (especially when they discovered the clever play-on-words) and the description of the second graders in Gooney Bird's class was perfect. Such a fun book to read together!
Jan 07, 2010
I loved this book and read it to my daughters. They really enjoyed how Lois Lowry describes things in her book and it was like a little movie in their heads because she is such a good writer. Very very enjoyable and fun to read with your children. Even my 12 year old was right next to me while we read it together.
Jan 06, 2010
Mjohnson
rated it:
Read this for a book children's book club...it was cute! I tend to see my own life as very straight-forward, so reading how everyday moments can be written into a grand story (and it be "the whole truth"!) was a good reminder for me, whether taking a ride on a flying carpet or going to The Castle to meet the prince!
Dec 05, 2010
elissa
rated it:
I listened to several of the Gooney Bird books. She's an adorably humorous character, and quite the little storyteller herself. My kids didn't hear any of the books as a whole, but they'd get caught up when they were in the car with me and I was listening. I pretty much like anything that Lowry writes.
