Jamaica and the Substitute Teacher

Jamaica

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

Jamaica likes the substitute teacher right away. Mrs. Duval is very nice, and she thinks of interesting things for the class to do. When the kids have to hunt for a hidden object, it's Jamaica who solves the clues. She figures out all the answers to the math puzzles, and Mrs. Duval praises her reading, too. But when it's time for the spelling test, Jamaica realizes that she is not prepared. Wanting so badly to please Mrs. Duval, she makes a poor decision. What will Mrs. Duval think of her now? In this new story about a favorite character, Juanita Havill and Anne Sibley O'Brien depict a small but significant crisis with tact and sensitivity.

Genres: Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1999

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

[Abigail Gibb · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was decent, but it wasn't the greatest piece of children's literature I've ever read. It had a good theme, but it wasn't very exciting. I did, however, really like the illustrations. They were vibrant and beautiful. But overall, I wouldn't recommend reading it.

[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 and the Substitute Teacher 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 and Jamaica's moral compass grows via her interaction with others. Like in Jamaica's Find the book captures moments of growth in children's lives that all children can relate to and emphasize with. Jamaica really likes the substitute teacher and goes to far in order to be the perfect student. 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: AD380L

[Mekia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book that can help students learn that they can be wrong sometimes. They don't have to be right all the time. This book is about a little girl who loves her substitute teacher instantly. She tries to impress the teacher by cheating on a Spelling test to make sure that she gets every word right.

[Haley · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this story a young girl, Jamaica, ends up cheating on her vocabulary test because she feels like she needs to be perfect. She ends up feeling like she was still not perfect even though she received 100% on her paper. This is a great lesson for students and teaches them that we don't need to be perfect in every single thing we do.

[Sabrina Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Deals with morality in the classroom. A diverse picture book.

Jamaica reminds me of my littlest sister-in-law, a bright young overachiever. Great to see a good, nice substitute teacher - not an evil one! ([title: Sideways Stories from Wayside School])

[Efundunke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read for honesty/justice. Students are reminded that they are not expected to be perfect, and that it is okay to make mistakes. Perfect scores on assignments and/or the right answers do not equate to being more special than anyone else.

[Allison · Rating 1 out of 5]

This one was didactic AND boring. Imagine. And the pictures were hideous.

[571 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kindergarten-Grade 2 SLJ
multicultural school experiences, African-American, cheating on a spelling test, honesty, admitting to cheating, being special, nice substitute teachers
1st-4th?

[Gretchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story about being honest when cheating. If only all teachers were as nice as Jamaica's substitute teacher!

[Brandi Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mrs. Duval is substituting at Jamaica’s school for a whole week. Jamaica read loud a clear and knew all the words during reading. The praise from her teacher made her so happy she wanted to sing. She, Cynthia, and Thomas get all their puzzles right in math class and receive prizes. When its time for the spelling test Jamaica is not as confident. She forgot there was a spelling test. She doesn’t know all the words on the list. When Mrs. Duval says the word “calf” Jamaica mind goes blank. She nervously chews on her pencil and realizes she will not get a perfect score. She can see the answer on her friend Brianna’s paper and decides to copy. Mrs. Duval is staring at her, but did she see? Brianna and Jamaica switch paper and grade each other’s work. Brianna draws a happy face on Jamaica’s perfect work. Jamaica feels bad and crosses the smiley face out. “It’s not a perfect paper. Even if it looks like one.” The teacher asks for the papers to be passed up Jamaica sticks hers into her desk. Next in art, Jamaica’s favorite class, she is in no mood to draw. She gets called to the desk since her spelling test is missing. She admits that she did not know how to spell calf and did not deserve a perfect score. She even admits that she copied and how she just wanted a perfect paper. It turns out Mrs. Duval knew she had copied all along. She tells Jamaica she does not have to be perfect to be special. She is so proud Jamaica was honest and brave.
This tells the story of right vs wrong. It is about morality and making good choices. It is also a reminder that we do not have to be perfect. We can be proud of ourselves even if we get an answer wrong. Jamaica is a brave girl, by telling he teacher the truth. Mrs. Duval is kind and positive and helps to build Jamaica’s self-esteem. This book would be great to read in a classroom of young students to remind them that they don’t need to be perfect.
The realistic illustrations by Ann Sibley O’Brien are gorgeous. I cannot wait to read more stories about Jamaica, if only to see O’Brien’s beautiful work.

[Yueyueli · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the substitute teacher Mrs. Duval said, "I plan for us to work hard, but we'll have fun, too." Jamaica gave a thumbs-up to her friend Brianna. This secret gesture is a sign of Jamaica's “approval” of the new teacher, and also reflects the friendship between these two girls. She can't hide the excitement and expectation on her face. But she is also a normal girl who makes mistakes sometimes, but the most important thing is to be honest, and correct them. Mrs. Duval accepts her students as who they are and teach in engaging ways. I also like the diversity of their classroom.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 I loved the theme and the lesson that it is ok to make mistakes. I liked that the moral dilemma was something kids could relate to.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars
Jamaica wants to impress her substitute teacher

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the best of the Jamaica books, but still a solid school story. Ages 5-7.