Fancy Nancy-I Can Read!™ Level 1: The Dazzling Book Report

Fancy Nancy

by Jane O'Connor

Fancy Nancy does her best to make a fantastic book report.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, School, 1st Grade, Kids

Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Since the publication of Fancy Nancy, Jane O'Connor's closet now boasts so many boas, tiaras, and sparkly ensembles that sometimes friends do not recognize her on the street. She still resides (that's a fancy word for lives) in New York City with her family and their canine companion, Arrow. --from the publisher's website

Reviews

[La Coccinelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The basic story of this one is relatable and cute. The kids in Nancy's class have to do a book report. Nancy gets all excited and decorates the cover of hers very artistically. But she spends so much time on the cover that she doesn't have enough time to write the actual report. Luckily, her teacher is understanding and asks Nancy to explain what her book was about.

I think where I'm having trouble here is with the book Nancy chose. It's about Sacajawea, and as soon as she's mentioned, we have a bit of a problem. She's called an "Indian" princess. I'm not sure what the convention is in the US, but in Canada, that term isn't really used anymore (except in legal matters). "Aboriginal" or "indigenous" are the preferred terms. It's the 21st century. Do we really need to be perpetuating Columbus's mistake?

Aside from that, I enjoyed the story. This book also has some nice "fancy" words, including "crestfallen", "desperate", and "heroine" (all defined in the glossary as well as in the text, of course).

Quotable moment:

[Jenn Custer]

Don't judge me read it to a little girl

[Lorellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nancy once more over does it, but saves it in the end.

[♥♣Mary♦♠ If She So Pleases · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an ok book, not like the early Fancy Nancy books which made us love her.

Really disappointed that this new author chose to turn the mom into a blonde. My own loving mom is a blonde but this change is unfair to brunettes.

[msrouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the way Jane O'Connor helps kids develop their vocab in a fun an easy way. In this Fancy Nancy book Nancy has to write a book report after selecting a book from the library (select is a fancy word for pick)(: Nancy spends a ton of time making her cover super duper fancy, everyone keeps reminding her that the book report is what's really important. In the end Nancy learns an important lesson about setting priorities and procrastnation.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun book in the Fancy Nancy series, where Nancy has a homework assignment to do a book report, but ends up spending more time on decorating her book cover than she does on the report. It's a fun story, but also provides a good lesson for kids.

[Tricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Fancy Nancy title was a lesson in time management. Nancy picks a book on Sacajawea for her book report--she spends too much time on her cover and none on written report itself. Her teacher is kind-hearted and allows her to tell the class about the book.

[Betsy Brainerd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Early Readers. I love that Fancy Nancy explains the real meaning of some of her fancy words - and that she likes to use fancy words in the first place. Great way to promote vocabulary.

[Sherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book for girls (aged 5-7). Expands a child's vocabulary and encourages creative students to feel good about their early academic effort in school.

[Rosalie Beyer-Krohn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fancy Nancy is tasked with a book report on Sacajawea but she spends so much time designing and decorating the report that she doesn’t have time to write it. This story showcases bright and detailed hand-drawn pictures of Nancy and her life as she overcomes her problems with the help and guidance of a forgiving teacher and loving mother.

Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction - The events of Fancy Nancy are believable and expected of a student Nancy’s age, but the characters and events are fictional.

Reading Level: J

Writing Mentor Trait: Word Choice - Fancy Nancy makes a point of using (and explaining) fancy words to communicate more effectively. Students could try expanding their vocabulary by using synonyms that would more effectively communicate their ideas in their writing.

Other Classroom Uses: This book teaches an important message about using your time wisely when given a large project. Reading this would be a great reminder before students start a big class project.

[Nicole C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beginning reader level 1, but I think it should be at least level 2, if you look at the amount of words per page and the new vocabulary. I'm not entirely sure this rating system is accurate.

Despite that, I liked this one. Nancy has to do her first book report for school. She chooses a book on Sacajawea and makes an artistic cover for her report. In fact, she takes so much time on the cover that she only has time to write two sentences of the actual report. Her teacher takes pity on her and lets her describe the book to the class, even though she didn't really complete the assignment.

It's a good lesson for kids about managing their time wisely. The book has a glossary of new vocabulary words used (fancily) by Nancy.

The brief information about Sacajawea in the book sounds like it's incorrect, though.

[C. John Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun book. Nancy and her classmates are each allowed to take a book from the library, with the condition that a book report has to be done on it. Of course Nancy's report has the fanciest cover one can imagine. However when it comes to the words, well... to quote a film (and real life I think). "Houston we have a problem". Of course all things are resolved at the end. One thing to note is that throughout the book Nancy uses words that might not be part of your child's normal speech. Fortunately the meaning is always given, thus this book might enhance your child's vocabulary. Always a good thing, me thinks. In brief a fun book, which your child is likely to enjoy. Happy reading.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nancy's first book report is sure to be dazzling. After all, she is the second-best artist in her class. She is using beads, fringe, and a fancy border. And she is writing about Sacajawea, a true-life heroine. What could go wrong?

Join Nancy as she learns that you can't judge a book report by its cover! With simple text and vibrant illustrations, this newest addition to the Fancy Nancy I Can Read series will delight readers young and old

[Ana DeLoreto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Throughout their educational journey, every student is required to write a book report at some time. This book would be so beneficial to read aloud to students who are in the same predicament as Nancy. It also teaches students about the importance of setting priorities and not procrastinating when it comes to school assignments. It's a creative book that offers readers an insight on how to handle big school assignments.

[Renee · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

Can we go over how this doesn't really teach Nancy not to spend time on an unnecessary part of the project? She choose to ignore her mom and dad both reminding her a book report should focus on the writing. Then Miss Glass just lets her off with just telling everyone about the book? I would be angry if I were the other kids, an art project would have been much more fun but no they decided to do the assignment.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fancy Nancy selects a book about Sacajawea to write her first book report for class. Fancy Nancy being fancy, spends too much time on the cover of her book report, and only writes two sentences for the report. She is crestfallen. ( A fancy word for sad and ashamed.) Ms. Glass save the day once again for Fancy Nancy.

[Grace Galloway · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book again during the break in class today, and honestly I forgot about Fancy Nancy books. I loved these books as a kid. I really like how in the back they have "fancy words" so it promotes vocabulary in a fun way.

[Diana S · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always, cute as ever, delightful, love the fancy words in this books. :)

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nancy loves Monday's because it is Library Day and this week she has to write a Book Report a "Biography" about Sacajawea. But Nancy being Nancy makes it Fancy and ends up in a "Desperate" situation.

[Callie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned you write about the book before you do the pictures.
I liked the book, I'm doing my own book report about this book

[Danette · Rating 3 out of 5]

6/7/18 Read with Naomi & Julia.

[Memory Toast · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice little lesson about procrastination and the dangers of not prioritizing correctly, along with some great vocabulary, just not a fan of the characters.

[Karol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great little story about homework time management.
Fancy Nancy's Fancy Words list and definitions at the end of the book is greatly appreciated.

[Kelly Chester · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great word Fancy Nancy is a great read

[K Morlando · Rating 3 out of 5]

We really enjoyed reading this!

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

H read it to me

[asiya | アセヤ (free palestine) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had so many elementary school flashback while reading this story!!!

[ur_mom · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was not my fav, however the illustrations never dissapoint. Creds to the artist who made these books literaly the best thing to happen ever.

[Wanda Torres · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one even I enjoyed, as an artist I liked the illustrations. So cute. But reading this with my girls it open a very good conversation about budgeting time properly.

[Virgil]

Ough, that aged poorly