Stuart Goes to School

The Amazing World of Stuart #2

by Sara Pennypacker, Martin Matje (Illustrator)

This hilarious sequel to STUART'S CAPE is a witty chapter book about an eight-year-old worrier's first day of school.

Our favorite worrier is back, and Stuart is about to start third grade. As he makes his way to the first day of school, wearing the worst outfit ever, what could a first-rate worrier do but worry?

Stuart worries about getting stuck in the boys' bathroom, about not having anything to show for show-and-tell, but most of all, about not making any friends. With his cape, though, Stuart is bound to have a day full of wacky adventures.

Genres: Humor, Childrens, Back To School, Chapter Books, Kids, Middle Grade, Fiction

64 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Ethan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I REALLY REALLY liked this book because Stuart thought he was going to have a bad day, but he found a magic hole in his cape and he got to go to the teacher room that said "no kids allowed" and other fun things.

[Carey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read-aloud for beginning of 3rd grade. Story has a few gaps, but addresses lots of fears of going back to school, new to a school, etc.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fantasy book for kids. It is good for telling children how it feels to be the left-out child in class.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect for beginning G3 readers. Great story. Great lesson.

[Lagobond · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stuart Goes to School is a bit heavier than Stuart's Cape. My niece and nephew (ages 6 and 3), who adored the first book, found this one quite worrisome. They did want to hear the whole story, but it left them with a sense of unease which came up again at bedtime.

I also felt that heaviness. The story is decent, but not quite as inventive as the first book. The thing with the hole is quite clever, and there are some really funny moments. Overall, though, we mainly get to experience the full brunt of Stuart's worries and fears. I like that this topic is addressed in a children's book, because apparently most adults think that kids have nothing to worry about! Stuart learns to cope with his emotions in productive ways, and my niece and nephew got to have a good conversation about what we can do when something worries us. So I would definitely recommend Stuart Goes to School. Just be aware that it's not the same endearing, lighthearted kind of story as the first book.

[Nikki in Niagara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reason for Reading: Honestly, the illustrations had me!

This is a cute little story in a chapter book format that is really intended for reading aloud. Being about a third grader it certainly is for the younger crowd but elementary students will probably have a hard time reading it themselves as it is not exactly an easy read and the print is quite tiny. No, this story is going to be much more appreciated as a read aloud.

It's the first day of school once again and Stuart, constant worrier, has even more things to worry about than usual. But with the help of his magical cape he made for himself he thinks he'll be able to make it big at school this year. Well, magic doesn't always work the way you want it to and Stuart ends up having some hilarious adventures and in the end the cape does help him make friends but not because of the magic. The last page contains a step-by step "how to draw Stuart" which looks simple enough for anyone to try. The illustrations throughout are really adorable and this is a fun, quick read.

[Books Kids Like · Rating 4 out of 5]

The dreaded day has come! Stuart starts third-grade in a new school. His mind is flooded with worries- what if no one likes him, what if he doesn't have anything cool for show-and-tell, what if he gets lost on the way to the bathroom... The list is endless. His anxiety increases when he learns that his mother expects him to wear his father's bright plaid shorts and cowboy shirt to school. After all, it's what dad wore on his first day of third grade. Stuart decides to wear his cape over the clothes to hide them, but he also wishes that he doesn't have to wear the bizarre, old clothes. He forgot about the cape's magic! When Stuart shows off his cape for show-and-tell, he doesn't realize that his clothes wish came true until it's too late. Not good! Not good at all! Luckily for Stuart, his talent for drawing brings him the positive attention he's craving.

[Uflchildrens · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun sequel to Stuart's cape. Stuart is going to 3rd grade and his mom has picked out the perfect outfit for his first day... bright green plaid pants and a shirt with little cowboys all over it that his own father used to wear! Stuart understandably is reluctant to wear this but doesn't have a choice. Fortunately he can top it with his magical cape made of neckties which cause a new adventure to happen each day. Funny and likable every kid that would especially appeal to boys who aren't yet ready for Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
--Rachel V.
J/Pennypacker

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stuart hopes that his cape will give him the "magic" he needs to make friends at his new school and ward off the "bad" days. Unfortunately, on day 1 he wishes he didn't have to wear the babyish outfit his mother laid out for him and when he gets to school, he's not wearing it. He only has underwear on under his cape. Oh dear!

Students will enjoy this second story about Stuart and his cape "adventures."

[Kelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This first chapter book is humorous throughout. "As soon as he woke up, Stuart knew it was going to be a bad day. You can smell a bad day coming. I smells like sour milk. The first bad thing about the day was hanging on his bedpost. A pair of greed plaid pants, so bright they hurt his eyes. . . "
A great recommended read for an on-target second- or third-grader.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

We chose this at the library without realizing it is a sequel; now I must go back to find Stuart's Cape. I adored this book. The engaging writing and the witty illustrations work together perfectly. Magical realism runs amuck as Stuart's worries about his new school seem to come true. Yet his imagination makes him a hero in the end.

[Joy Slykhuis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one much more than the first of the two..."Stuart's Cape". It's very very cute. Stuart has to go to the first day of grade 3 in a new school...in green plaid pants and a cowboy shirt! Oh no!! Fortunately, he has his cape to provide adventures for him, and it does. Hilarious and wonderful!!

[Dree · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this more than my 6yo. My 10yo would find it very funny--but has no interest because it looks like a book for 6yos. Meaning short with many illustrations. One of those oddball books where the reading level and humor level don't match up.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

After Stuart makes his cape it is time for his first day at his new school. Luckily his cape still has some surprises in store...or maybe unluckily.

I love Stuart just as much in this installment as I did in Stuart's Cape. A great follow up story!

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first day of school is here, and Stuart is worried. What if he gets stuck in the boys' bathroom? What if he doesn't have anything to show for show and tell? Worst of all, what if his mother really makes him wear those green plaid pants and a.

[Haley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I chose this book because it looked like a cute book to use in a classroom. I was right about that. Although this was not one of my favorite books that I have read I still really enjoyed it and I believe children in 2nd and 3rd grade would really find Stuart hilarious too.

[Rosanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun book, and I think I will read it as a read aloud book at the beginning of the school year. After I finished reading it, I learned that it is the second one in a series. I think it will make the children want to read more of the books.

[Jana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute little chapter book about a boy who has made himself a magic cape out of a bunch of ties. The cape allows him to have one magical surprise a day. The cape is a big help as he experiences all the worries of starting third grade at a new school.

[Steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read these out of order... no wonder I was confused. =) Cute book series by the author of Clementine! I LOVE the "how to draw" page at the end - and kids will, too!

Recommended for 1st-3rd graders!

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this with a small group of third-graders, and it surprised me with humor and fantastical events. It’s a relatively short book and I think it’s good for third-graders who don’t have the stamina to read longer chapter books.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sequel to Stuart's Cape, this book is about Stuart going to school, and the crazy things that happen because of his magical cape. Very funny stuff. Great for early readers.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read aloud for third grade students!

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute and funny! Grades 2-3 would love this book.

[Barb Keltner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this because it's the same author as "Clementine" that I loved. It's cute but not nearly as funny.

[Angie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Is it because I missed #1? I don't get it.

And I usually love Sara Pennypacker. And neurotic little people.

[Parker · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is Stuarts first day of school at his new school. He really wants to make friends!
Will he or will he not?




I wish this book was longer.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

One sentence review: A zany, kid-friendly first week of school read aloud.

[Mellanie C · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was cute. I loved how Stuart drew his way out of problems--and into them!

[Elena Gussman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ha, ha,and more ha! So funny and silly!

[Kirstan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stuart is sweet little worrywart. Read this with my second grade reading group. Nice way to open a dialogue on worrying here and now in the time of Covid and wonky school schedules.