Rosie Swanson: Fourth-Grade Geek for President

Geek Chronicles #2

by Barbara Park, Kenneth Lafreniere (Editor)

Vote for Rosie!

Sure, she wears geeky-looking glasses and she tattles on her classmates. But, hey, snitching has its good side. Thanks to Rosie, Ronald Milligan has stopped blowing his nose in the water fountain. And now, Rosie is determined to do even more for her classmates -- by becoming president of the fourth grade!

With the help of her two best (and only) friends, Rosie devises a brilliant campaign to defeat the two most popular kids in her soccer star Alan Allen and model-wannabe Summer Lynne Jones. But when despicable Alan steals Rosie's unbeatable campaign slogans, it's time to watch out! Nosy Rosie is on the warpath!

Genres: Childrens, Fiction

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Barbara Lynne Park was an American author of children's books.

Reviews

[Susan D'Entremont · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why is this book overlooked and only sitting on the shelves of those small libraries that don't have any money to buy new books? This is just as funny and entertaining as the Junie B. Jones books, but for a slightly older audience. The kids' behavior isn't sanitized - this is the way 4th & 5th graders act - bullying, bragging, tattletaling and all. But funny and good lessons learned.

[Cristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book

[Arllie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was funny to me and super relatable…but it went downhill real fast. Let’s be honest, Maxie and Earl are the worst friends a person could ever have. They ratted Rosie out just to save their own skin and despite letting her down (their FRIEND), they didn’t feel bad, nor did they try and apologise and speak to her first. Literally she had to make the first move or they probably wouldn’t have even become friends again and that pissed me off. They’re so called ‘best friends’ but neither of them acted like it. There was no trust or bond there so it just wasn’t believable to me, anymore. And then when she places those notes around, they get mad at her and she still has to be the one to make the first move. It makes no sense to me like yes that was her fault, but the first situation wasn’t and the boys didn’t do anything to fix it. Maxie at one point goes ‘You’re a snitch, I told you this in confidence’ BUT YET HE SNITCHED ON HER BEFORE AND SHE FORGAVE HIM. Better yet, he tells her she’s a tattletale and she did it to herself when in fact this whole situation happened in the first place because him and Earl ratted HER out so I don’t know what he’s on about. A side note: telling the truth isn’t the same as being a snitch. Maxie literally acted like what he does is fine but if she does it, it’s a crime. She could have acted the same but didn’t (a trait about Rosie I hate—she doesn’t speak up about this and just cries or let’s it slide) so what gives him the right to act all up tight and mighty about his actions when what he did to her was ten times worse? It’s always Rosie trying and apologising and it really riles me up because that’s not how friendship works.

Yes, I’m riled up about a book and fictional characters because that’s how disappointed I am in this awful excuse of a book. I wish I could have said something better and liked it more.

[Josiah · Rating 3 out of 5]

"And sometimes when you're very mixed-up inside, you do things you know you shouldn't do."

--Rosie Swanson: Fourth-Grade Geek for President, P. 84

"Sometimes adults don't make any sense at all."

--Rosie Swanson, P. 97

This truly is a wonderful story that bursts at the seams with pure heart. Barbara Park sets a perfect feel for the narrative, pushing it forward through the actions of the impossible-to-resist trio of Maxie Zuckerman, Earl Wilber, and Rosie Swanson. As much as I liked the first book in the Geek Chronicles, this was one significantly better.
This book is an excellent accomplishment for an extraordinary author. Of course, her humor is spot-on and perfect as always, and I spent many joyful minutes doubled over in out-loud laughter. Additionally, though, there were some truly meaningful and tender parts tucked within, moments that make a good book into a rare and exceptional one.
Barbara Park is one of those rare authors about whom, after I read one of her books, I get the strong urge to follow it up with another. There aren't a limitless supply of her books in existence, however, so I try to pace myself.
I Love Rosie Swanson: Fourth-Grade Geek for President, and I recommend it to all.

"'Cause my grandfather says that when life gives you a kick in the pants, you're supposed to pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and kick it right back again."

--Rosie Swanson, P. 125

[10-11 kacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book is very good insperation to all. It was about all these kids running for different types of sections for president. Rosie swanson had wanted to run for preident and she was. Her and her friends were already starting to make posters for her campain.One of her friends earl was talking to one of the other people who was running for president to, and he told him what rosie was doing so he coppied her. Him and rosie did not win the other person did. She was mad at earl but she got over it.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't realize until now that this book was written by the same author that writes the Junie B. Jones series. It had a sticker on the front of the book saying it won a Parent's Choice award and I thought it looked interesting. It was remarkably well written and had my kids wanting me to read more every night. It was very funny, teaches a lot about politics/campaigning and has a good moral about tattle telling. I loved the resolution (though I won't spoil it for you). My only quibble was that they used the Lord's name in vain a couple times.