Pa Lia's First Day: A Jackson Friends Book – A Heartwarming Chapter Book About Making Friends for Kids

Jackson Friends

by Michelle Edwards

Pa Lia Vang's first day at Jackson Magnet, her new school, isn't going so well. She doesn't know anyone. She can't find her second-grade classroom. And then she gets the only person who's been nice to her into trouble. Will Pa Lia ever fit in? In this first chapter book of the Jackson Friends series, Michelle Edwards explores with humor and sensitivity the anxieties children often face in a new situation.

Genres: Cultural, Childrens, Fiction, Picture Books

64 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Nikol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book about making friends your first day of school!

[Mae · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[McKinzie Elton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Together as a class, or individually in their journal, students could brainstorm how they felt their first day of school. Did they know their teacher? Did they know any other students in their class?

I could also ask who in the class has moved to a new school, who came to school not speaking English, and talk about other times students felt "out of place." or "alone."

[Rebecca Millerjohn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beginning chapter book Pa Lia heads off for her first day at her new school. She gets lost, but meets new friends who help her find her way. A great early chapter book with a cast of multicultural characters.

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the illustrations in this book. They felt very Tomi dePaola. The writing and story is beautifully simple and direct. Great quote: "Pa Lia felt like a teeny-tiny minnow in a huge giant ocean."

[Sara · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pa Lia is scared when the first day of school starts and

[Kristy · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story is slight, the illustrations - amateur, the message - heavy handed. How is it possible that Patricia Reilly Giff loved Pa Lia? Did she read the same book I did?

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this very basic chapter book.

[Sharlet Mullen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is really a fun easy book to read.