Amelia Bedelia Dances Off

Amelia Bedelia Chapter Books #8

by Herman Parish, Lynne Avril (Illustrator)

In the eighth chapter book in the New York Times–bestselling series, Amelia Bedelia puts on her dancing shoes and dances up a storm! The Amelia Bedelia chapter books have sold more than one million copies and feature funny family and friendship stories with lots of wordplay just right for fans of Judy Moody and Ivy & Bean.

All of Amelia Bedelia's friends love to dance. She has friends who are ballerinas, friends who do modern dance, and friends who tap. But Amelia Bedelia isn't sure what kind of dance is right for her. After all, if she is going to dance to a particular tune, she'd like it to be her own! Amelia Bedelia's funny search for the perfect dance fit involves friends, family, teachers, and pets, and it will have readers dancing on air! The Amelia Bedelia chapter books star Amelia Bedelia as a young girl, are great for building vocabulary, and feature a guide to some of the idioms and expressions introduced in the story.

Genres: Childrens, Chapter Books, Fiction, 1st Grade, Humor, Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published October 20, 2015

About the author

Herman Parish (born 1953) is the author of Amelia Bedelia children's book series, nephew of original author, Peggy Parish. Having grown up with his aunt’s tales of Amelia’s humorous misadventures, Herman decided to carry on the legacy after his aunt’s death in 1988. He did not wish to entrust the future of the series into the hands of a children’s author outside of the family. Since Peggy had the summers off from teaching, she was able to stay with the Parish family for extended periods of time, allowing Herman and Peggy to develop a close relationship. More importantly, this gave Herman a chance to keenly observe Peggy during her writing processes, gaining great insight to the road ahead of him. To carry on the essence of the series, Herman thoroughly examined his aunt’s work and did his best to capture what exactly made the character of Amelia Bedelia such a hit. Having editor Susan Hirschman and illustrator Lynn Sweat in common with his aunt helped to make the transition. He has added thirteen more books to the series. Herman is a resident of Princeton, New Jersey, and travels to libraries and schools across the United States, speaking and inspiring young children. The importance of revising and editing is often stressed during these dynamic lectures. He has presented to students in more than 22 states.

-Wikipedia

***The photo at left is of Herman with his aunt, Peggy Parish, in 1985.

Reviews

[Haelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought Amelia Bedelia Dances Off was amazing! I finished it in just two days!

This is eighth book I have read in the Amelia Bedelia series. The main character is a girl named Amelia Bedelia, who gets confused by the meanings of words. Like all the Amelia Bedelia books, Amelia Bedelia did not understand when there are two ways to say stuff, like “glue your eyes to me” means pay close attention.

My favorite part of this book was when Amelia Bedelia finally took dance lessons because dance lessons are really fun! I love taking ballet lessons.

I did not like when Amelia Bedelia did not want to take dance lessons and wanted a drum instead, because dance lessons are more fun than drumming, because drumming is a little fun.

If I were Herman Parish I would change it so that Amelia Bedelia does know the other meanings of words because it would be more fun.

I will tell my friends to read this book, especially if they want to read a book about a girl that is our age and always tries to do her best, but sometimes does not know what words mean.

[Sarah - All The Book Blog Names Are Taken]

Eleanor says: my personal connection to the story was I love to dance. It was a great book. I have danced for five seasons. This year I will get my five year award trophy. Amelia just started dance. It is really fun.

Momma says: doesn’t have the same charm as the original books - though those probably wouldn’t be charming now that I’m an adult anyway. Sometimes the kids in the dance class were jerks, laughing at the dance Demi strayers who wore hula skirts and kilts. The story was also just kind of dull.

[Morgan Stout · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so fun to read to my 3- and 5-year-old girls who love to dance! It included several different kinds of dance, which were fun to look up YouTube videos of as we read.

[Amanda Sexton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun little easy chapter book I read to my nieces while they were visiting. The author follows the classics style of the original Amelia Bedelia, with her misunderstanding of words with dual definitions, but in her childhood years. This book teaches children about different dance styles and finishes with a fun conga dance with family and friends (sorry if that's a spoiler). The 6 year old and 3 year old were entertained.

[Darlena Glenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

For any child, boy or girl, who loves to dance or who is interested in dancing, this book is an excellent read. I started reading it to my class, but I didn't finish it at the end of the school year. I really wanted to know how the story ended, so I read it for myself. I'm glad I did. I like that at the very end, different dances are defined so you get background information with the comedy of Amelia Bedelia!

[Natelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amelia Bedelia loves her aunt Wanda, especially when she comes bearing gifts. This book details what happens when the gift of dance passes from one generation to the next. Amelia Bedelia even finds a friend who excels at misunderstanding idioms as well as she does. She even learns some basics about a variety of dances and the reader gets to come alone from the flamenco to Irish jigs to tap.

Very amusing and quick read.

[Seeker of Truth]

Great book for learning a bit about dancing from all over the world. I learned about more dances and found out more about dances I already knew about.

[Fenco Chen]

Lexile®: 710L

[Ellora · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED it, it was really fun. The sister of Amelia Bedelia's father proposed to Amelia Bedelia and her mom to do a course in tap dancing.
Ellora, age 9

[Princess Cami · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned that you have to be thankful for the things people do for you.Even if you don’t like it you have to do different things in life.

[Christy Troia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amelia Bedelia worked hard at school, finished her homework, got herself a yummy snack and was looking forward to sitting in her dad’s favorite chair, the recliner. She felt like a princess in that chair and before long, her mom came to join her, with popcorn. The two were sitting together, just about ready to watch, when Finally, the dog, made a flying leap and the popcorn went everywhere. Amelia Bedelia’s mom though wasn't startled by the flying popcorn, or dog for that matter, but she heard a noise coming from outside. She heard a Click-A-Click, Clickty-Click Clickity-Clickty-Clack! Well who could that possibly be… Aunt Wanda of course! Aunt Wanda, in tap shoes, told Amelia Bedelia and her mom that she needed their help to set a state record for the most tappers in one place, so the three of them set off for “Tepper’s”. Amelia Bedelia and her mom didn't have tap shoes, but Aunt Wanda gave Amelia Bedelia’s mom some (with extra socks because they were too big) and she gave Amelia Bedelia brand new tap shoes, part of her birthday present. The turnout was great and everyone had a wonderful time and Amelia Bedelia really enjoyed tap dancing. Later on, Aunt Wanda asked if Amelia Bedelia would like the rest of her present and Amelia Bedelia couldn't wait! At dinnertime, Aunt Wanda told Amelia Bedelia that she had bought her dancing lessons. Amelia Bedelia was far from excited, she was hoping more for a drum. Taken aback by her reaction, Aunt Wanda assured her that she would have fun and Amelia Bedelia’s parents told her to say thank you and try it. Amelia Bedelia apologized and told her Aunt that she would try dancing lessons, but didn't think she would like it very well. Throughout the book Amelia Bedelia learned all kinds of new dancing styles: Ballet, Break Dancing, Ceremonial Dance, Flamenco, Interpretive, Modern Dance, Polynesian Dance, Rumba, Salsa, Celtic Dancing, and Tap! Which one was her favorite? She loved them all! Come dance your way through the book with Amelia Bedelia as she learns new dance styles and word phrases, that will keep you laughing, smiling, and dancing right along with her during her exciting new adventure!

Higher Level Thinking Questions:
1. Analyze Amelia Bedelia’s reaction when her Aunt Wanda gave her dance lessons for a birthday present.
2. With a partner, come up with a new dance genre. Prepare a short dance to show the class. Explain how the two of you came up with your dance.
3. Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?
4. How did the book pair being grateful with dancing?
5. Create a new ending to the story where Amelia Bedelia and her friends weren't able to have their recital.

Parish, H., & Avril, L. (2015). Amelia Bedelia dances off. New York, NY: Greenwillow Books, an imprint of HarperCollins.

[Jtimko · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amelia Bedelia does not want to take dance lessons. Can she survive dance lessons in spite of her reluctance and shine like a star in the dance recital?
This is the eighth volume in the Amelia Bedelia chapter books written by Herman Parish, nephew of Peggy Parish. Timely topics and amusing illustrations keep this book lively. Though the humor is not as lively as the original books, readers will enjoy the predicaments that face Amelia. These are also stories of Amelia as a youngster before she became so literal in her thinking. If your kids love Amelia Bedelia, then these are perfect for you collection. Recommended for grades 2 through 4.

[M W · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm pleasantly surprised by how much my 5-yr-old daughter and I have enjoyed these Young Amelia Bedelia chapter books. I found that I wanted to read the next chapter in this book just as much as she did. This installment was great because it introduced readers to all kinds of dance and was very entertaining in the process. I liked that there were little how-to drawings for different dances and even for how to make a ballet bun.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved it.

[Gina]

Finished 2/27/16

[Caitlyn Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice book

[Myrna ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this book because I dance and Amelia is dancing in this book. I read this book a few times because I own it. Amelia is a really great person. (Myrna, age 7)

[Alberta Nartey]

I really liked it but I did not get to finished it all so I would like to finsh it