Jamaica's Blue Marker: A Picture Book About a Mean Classmate and a Change of Heart for Children

Jamaica

by Juanita Havill, Anne Sibley O'Brien (Illustrator)

Jamaica was friends with everyone in school—except for Russell. No wonder: Russell was a mean brat. When they had art class, Russell borrowed her markers and spoiled her picture. At recess, he threw sand and chased little kids. Jamaica certainly wasn't sorry to learn that Russell was going to move away. She didn't even want to make a card for him, the way the others in her class were doing. But then something happened to change her mind...

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, African American

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Juanita Havill is the author of more than thirty books for children, including I Heard It from Alice Zucchini, a collection of poems about the garden; Jamaica's Find, a Reading Rainbow Review Book, IRA-CBC Children's Choice, and the Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award); Jamaica Tag-Along (an American Bookseller Pick of the Lists); and Eyes Like Willy's (Crown-Lamplighter honor book). She lives and gardens in Arizona and writes and teaches writing.

For more information, please see http://www.answers.com/topic/juanita-...

Reviews

[Sheniece · Rating 5 out of 5]

We have all experienced having that one classmate that just always seems to get on our bad side. Children at a young age always do things to others before thinking about how it makes the other person feels. The little girl, Jamaica experiences the same thing with a classmate name Russell. Ironically, Jamaica ends up missing Russell when he leaves to go to a new school. This will be a good book to read as a read aloud and have a discussion on.

[Diantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Children know what it feels like to not be treated fairly. In this story Jamaica and her classmates draw a picture. Jamaica is asked to share her markers with Russell. He then draws on her paper with the blue marker. This book shows us how we all would respond to that and then turns around to make it all better.

This is a good book for children. They can relate to what is going on and it helps them understand how we can deal with a problem.

[Jade Saleem · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about being kind to each other and sharing. This book will help young chidldren learn the joy of being nice to one another.

[Margaret Keller · Rating 5 out of 5]

My students loved this book. We read it twice in my classroom and both times they were enamored and really connected with the scene. It’s a very cute book about a girl doesn’t really like a boy in her class because he ruins her picture. But then the girl finds out that he’s moving and she has empathy for him and they becomes friends. Sends a great message, great for young children .

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jamaica gets angry with a classmate and doesn't want to work with him. Then she learns why he may be causing trouble and feeling angry himself. She finds compassion and offers him one of her cherished markers as a goodbye gift. The illustrations capture the emotions and activities surrounding the story.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars -- This realistic story reminded me of something that happened to me when I was about Jamaica's age. I agree with others who note how relatable this is, and Jamaica models responsible and kind behavior by the end of the story.

[ramy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is way relatible for kids.

[Ashley Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fiction & Published: 2000
This book is about a girl, Jamaica, who doesn’t want to share her blue marker with a student in the class. Something changes in the classroom, which helps her learn to share better. 5/5! I love this book, it is a great way to teach students how to share and be kind! I also enjoy this book because of the diversity of students in the illustrations. 20 book challenge 35/20

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars
Jamaica resents having to work with Russell who never seems to have any school supplies until her teacher shares a little secret about Russell: he's moving

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read most of the Jamaica series by Juanita Havill and illustrated by Anne Sibley O'Brien. Jamaica's Blue Marker presents a learning situation with a moral dilemma that Jamaica has to work through, reflect on, and then internalize. In each book of the series Jamaica struggles with concepts of right and wrong, Jamaica's moral compass grows via her interaction with others, in this case it is Russell, a disruptive book whose family is moving. Like in Jamaica's Find the book captures a moment of growth in a child's life that all children can relate to and emphasize with. Anne Sibley O'Brien's illustrations capture Jamaica's emotions and thoughts. The composition and sensitivity of the illustrations expand on the text and help the reader connect with the characters.
Jamaica and her family are African-American and her childhood experiences in this series are universal. This also is a good lesson in and of itself.
Age Range: 4 - 7 years
Grade Level: Preschool - 3
Lexile Measure: 420L

[Amanda Vail · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated book that touches on the idea of rising above and doing the right thing, even when someone has done you wrong. Could also be used to teach social emotional learning in the classroom.