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Jake's 100th Day of School
Celebrate the 100th Day of School with this kid—and teacher—favorite from award-winning author Lester Laminack!
Jake and his fellow students are getting ready for a celebration. Tomorrow is the 100th day of school and everyone is going to share their collections of 100 things. The day of the celebration arrives, but Jake forgets the 100 family pictures he has glued into a special memory book at home. Disaster!
But thanks to Jake's ingenuity and the sensitivity of his principal, Jake does have a collection to display that day... and something special to share with the class on the 101st day of school.
Lester Laminack's charming, relatable story shines a light on this milestone day celebrated by schools everywhere. Judy Love's joyful illustrations capture the excitement of Jake's diverse school community.
Jake and his fellow students are getting ready for a celebration. Tomorrow is the 100th day of school and everyone is going to share their collections of 100 things. The day of the celebration arrives, but Jake forgets the 100 family pictures he has glued into a special memory book at home. Disaster!
But thanks to Jake's ingenuity and the sensitivity of his principal, Jake does have a collection to display that day... and something special to share with the class on the 101st day of school.
Lester Laminack's charming, relatable story shines a light on this milestone day celebrated by schools everywhere. Judy Love's joyful illustrations capture the excitement of Jake's diverse school community.
32 pages, Paperback
First published February 10, 2006
About the author
Lester L. Laminack
40 books46 followersLester L. Laminack is Professor Emeritus from department of Birth-Kindergarten, Elementary and Middle Grades Education, at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, North Carolina where he received two awards for excellence in teaching [the Botner Superior Teaching Award and the Chancellor’s Distinguished Teaching Award]. Lester is now a full-time writer and consultant working with schools throughout the United States. He is an active member of the National Council of Teachers of English and served three years as co-editor of the NCTE journal Primary Voices and as editor of the Children’s Book Review Department of the NCTE journal Language Arts (2003-2006). He also served as a teaching editor for the magazine Teaching K-8 and wrote the Parent Connection column (2000-2002). He is a former member of the Whole Language Umbrella Governing Board, a former member of the Governing Board and Secretary of the North Carolina Association for the Education of Young Children, and a former member of the Board of Directors for the Center for the Expansion of Language and Thinking. He served as the Basic Reading Consultant to Literacy Volunteers of America from 1987 through 2001. He is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Our Children’s Place [www.ourchildrensplace.com].
His academic publications include several books including Learning with Zachary (Scholastic), Spelling in Use (NCTE), Volunteers Working with Young Readers (NCTE), and his contributions to The Writing Workshop: Working Through the Hard Parts (NCTE), Learning Under the Influence of Language and Literature (Heinemann) Reading Aloud Across the Curriculum (Heinemann, Cracking Open the Author’s Craft (Scholastic) and Unwrapping the Read Aloud (Scholastic). In addition he has several articles published in journals such as The Reading Teacher, Early Years, Science and Children, Language Arts, Teaching pre-K/8, Primary Voices, and Young Children. Lester is also the author of six children’s books: The Sunsets of Miss Olivia Wiggins, Trevor’s Wiggly-Wobbly Tooth, Saturdays and Tea Cakes, Jake’s 100th Day of School, Snow Day! and most recently, Three Hens and a Peacock all from Peachtree Publishers.
Lester was born July 11, 1956 in Flint, Michigan. His mom and dad had left their families in Alabama and moved to Michigan where his dad, Jimmy, worked for GM. But Michigan is long way from Alabama when you have a two year old and a brand new baby. So, just two weeks after Lester was born his parents packed everything and moved back to their hometown, Heflin, Alabama. They wanted Lester and his brother Scott to grow up near grandparents, aunts and uncles and lots of cousins.
When Lester was 6 the family moved again. This time to Zachary, LA where Lester attended part of 1st and all of 2nd grade. Then they moved back to Heflin where he completed 3rd grade and 4th grade. In April of 1966, while he was in the 4th grade, Lester's sister, Amanada, was born. She was so little when they brought her home that he had to hold her on a pillow. Every day when he came home from school he held her and told her stories. Some people think that's why he is a writer. Lester and Amanda have always been very close even though he is 10 years older.
When Scott was in the 7th grade and Lester was in the 5th grade and Amanda was just one year old the family moved again. This time it was to Key West, FL. They lived there under a year before moving back to Alabama.
Lester finished high school back in Heflin and then earned a BS and MS in Elementary Education from Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville, AL. Then he earned an Ed.D. in Elementary Education and Reading from Auburn University, Auburn AL.
And now Lester lives downtown in Asheville, North Carolina. He starts every day with a cup of coffee, loves to listen to music and NPR. He plays saxophone and a Native American flute made from river cane. He reads a lot of children's books, Southern Fiction, poetry, and b
His academic publications include several books including Learning with Zachary (Scholastic), Spelling in Use (NCTE), Volunteers Working with Young Readers (NCTE), and his contributions to The Writing Workshop: Working Through the Hard Parts (NCTE), Learning Under the Influence of Language and Literature (Heinemann) Reading Aloud Across the Curriculum (Heinemann, Cracking Open the Author’s Craft (Scholastic) and Unwrapping the Read Aloud (Scholastic). In addition he has several articles published in journals such as The Reading Teacher, Early Years, Science and Children, Language Arts, Teaching pre-K/8, Primary Voices, and Young Children. Lester is also the author of six children’s books: The Sunsets of Miss Olivia Wiggins, Trevor’s Wiggly-Wobbly Tooth, Saturdays and Tea Cakes, Jake’s 100th Day of School, Snow Day! and most recently, Three Hens and a Peacock all from Peachtree Publishers.
Lester was born July 11, 1956 in Flint, Michigan. His mom and dad had left their families in Alabama and moved to Michigan where his dad, Jimmy, worked for GM. But Michigan is long way from Alabama when you have a two year old and a brand new baby. So, just two weeks after Lester was born his parents packed everything and moved back to their hometown, Heflin, Alabama. They wanted Lester and his brother Scott to grow up near grandparents, aunts and uncles and lots of cousins.
When Lester was 6 the family moved again. This time to Zachary, LA where Lester attended part of 1st and all of 2nd grade. Then they moved back to Heflin where he completed 3rd grade and 4th grade. In April of 1966, while he was in the 4th grade, Lester's sister, Amanada, was born. She was so little when they brought her home that he had to hold her on a pillow. Every day when he came home from school he held her and told her stories. Some people think that's why he is a writer. Lester and Amanda have always been very close even though he is 10 years older.
When Scott was in the 7th grade and Lester was in the 5th grade and Amanda was just one year old the family moved again. This time it was to Key West, FL. They lived there under a year before moving back to Alabama.
Lester finished high school back in Heflin and then earned a BS and MS in Elementary Education from Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville, AL. Then he earned an Ed.D. in Elementary Education and Reading from Auburn University, Auburn AL.
And now Lester lives downtown in Asheville, North Carolina. He starts every day with a cup of coffee, loves to listen to music and NPR. He plays saxophone and a Native American flute made from river cane. He reads a lot of children's books, Southern Fiction, poetry, and b
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
February 7, 2018
A great book to use to celebrate the 100th day of school. My school and students always celebrate and many classes bring in collections. This is perfect to read with the kids!
March 25, 2012
Who would have thought that a 1st grade class would have a celebration about the 100th day of school? I guess this author did and he did a great job telling a story from the point of view of a 1st grader too. I was deeply touched by how creative and imaginative this story was told and gave me ideas as a soon-to-be teacher on how to make school a more enjoyable place to come to for my future students. The minds of children can be stretched, if it is being stretched, in thinking of some creative ways in commemorating 100 days of school. Leave it up to children to find things adding up to 100, like hair beads to paper clips, to 100 photos of family, to bottle caps from juice drunk,.... I was like "WOW!", as I was reading this book. You would too. Take it from children.. there is 100 real and found things to celebrate 100 days of school.
CREATIVE EXPERIENCE:
This book helped me think about the use of a calendar to reinforce counting and expand a child's counting level up to 100. Since counting to 100 could be a difficult task for a pre-schooler to do, the use of the calendar and breaking it up by 10s, could ease the pain. After 10 school days, either celebrate or have the children find 10 things at home to bring in for show and tell, as part of our 10th day of school. I keep celebrating like this after every 10 school days until we reach 100. All of this helps in learning the days of the weeks, months of the year, numbers, time, holidays, birthdays and season. WOW!! All of this from ONE book. AWESOME!
CREATIVE EXPERIENCE:
This book helped me think about the use of a calendar to reinforce counting and expand a child's counting level up to 100. Since counting to 100 could be a difficult task for a pre-schooler to do, the use of the calendar and breaking it up by 10s, could ease the pain. After 10 school days, either celebrate or have the children find 10 things at home to bring in for show and tell, as part of our 10th day of school. I keep celebrating like this after every 10 school days until we reach 100. All of this helps in learning the days of the weeks, months of the year, numbers, time, holidays, birthdays and season. WOW!! All of this from ONE book. AWESOME!
July 19, 2014
I was a little doubtful of this book but it was actually a really good story and helped my daughter to learn to count in 10s and to think about how many days she spends at school and how big her collections are. A nice inspiring story.
April 19, 2018
1. No awards
2. Kindergarten-2nd Grade
3. Jake and his peers are celebrating their 100th day of school. They all make their own projects of 100 things for the special day. Jake forgets his big project at home but the principal helps Jake out.
4. I really enjoyed this book because I remember how important the 100th day of school was when I was a child and I know how important it still is to children today. I loved the ending with the 100 year old woman, Lula.
5. This is a great book to share with students right before the 100th day of school. It can get the students excited and give them some ideas for making projects of their own for the 100th day.
2. Kindergarten-2nd Grade
3. Jake and his peers are celebrating their 100th day of school. They all make their own projects of 100 things for the special day. Jake forgets his big project at home but the principal helps Jake out.
4. I really enjoyed this book because I remember how important the 100th day of school was when I was a child and I know how important it still is to children today. I loved the ending with the 100 year old woman, Lula.
5. This is a great book to share with students right before the 100th day of school. It can get the students excited and give them some ideas for making projects of their own for the 100th day.
January 14, 2020
Most kid's lit about school life starts at day one. This one is about day 100, and Jake, an Afro American boy, has a book of 100 memories, all in snapshots of class and his family, to share with his homeroom. Only he's lost it. Sad. So he gets with his librarian for an idea to fulfill a school project: 100 things to bring for the 100th day celebration of a successful school year. 100 library books from the library down the hall is just the thing. Jake's story is a celebration of the fun side of school, as opposed to it's dark side. The dark reality I Ieave to Judy Blume.
Three stars
Jake rocks the hundred!!!
Three stars
Jake rocks the hundred!!!
March 13, 2024
Celebrate Jake's 100th Day of School in style... as a joyful end of best laid plans that don't work out quite as designed. But are replaced by something even better!
All the creative ideas in this book are just fabulous. I'm especially thrilled to have encountered Grandma Maggie and her Aunt Lula (who was 100 years old).
The ending was funny and moving, all at once.
Such a FIVE STAR book!
All the creative ideas in this book are just fabulous. I'm especially thrilled to have encountered Grandma Maggie and her Aunt Lula (who was 100 years old).
The ending was funny and moving, all at once.
Such a FIVE STAR book!
January 9, 2020
As a grade school librarian, my 100th day always includes 100 books, so I loved this story! And, I loved the story of teachers helping a student who’s project was forgotten at home! I have seen so many teachers helping students with just this type of problem.
January 18, 2018
Good read for the 100th day
March 8, 2013
Today is a special day for Jake and the rest of his classmates. They will celebrate their 100th day of school, each student creating a collection that add up to 100 objects to bring to display in class. Jake was in such a rush to get out the door and on the bus, headed for school, that he left something very important behind. When he saw his friends with there projects he knew he did not grab his backpack which had his album of 100 memorable photos. His grandmother is suppose to bring a surprise to his class but it would be too late to get her to bring his backpack. He thought this would not be a fun day for him.
When he arrived at school the principal noticed that Jake was in tears. He explained his problem and then she took him to her office and they created a new collection. He was so relieved and they headed to his classroom to put his collection on display. The day was a big success and all the collections were very inventive and imaginative on behalf of the students. Will he get to share his photo collection he forgot at home? He went to a lot of work, but he enjoyable experience. It all worked out in the end.
The author writes a fun story of celebrating the 100th day of school. The story teaches the children camaraderie, a math lesson in counting, imagination, and how to have fun while learning. Also, to never give up, always persevere! The illustrator took the author's story and created some very cute characters. Two of the character illustrations that I really thought stood out were, the little girl with 100 beads in her hair and Aunt Lula, they were so endearing! This is a book I know children will enjoy to read over and over again.
I highly recommend this book.
I rated this book a 5 out of 5.
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from Peachtree Publishers for review. I was in no way compensated for this review. It is my honest opinion.
If you found this review helpful vote yes or no here.
When he arrived at school the principal noticed that Jake was in tears. He explained his problem and then she took him to her office and they created a new collection. He was so relieved and they headed to his classroom to put his collection on display. The day was a big success and all the collections were very inventive and imaginative on behalf of the students. Will he get to share his photo collection he forgot at home? He went to a lot of work, but he enjoyable experience. It all worked out in the end.
The author writes a fun story of celebrating the 100th day of school. The story teaches the children camaraderie, a math lesson in counting, imagination, and how to have fun while learning. Also, to never give up, always persevere! The illustrator took the author's story and created some very cute characters. Two of the character illustrations that I really thought stood out were, the little girl with 100 beads in her hair and Aunt Lula, they were so endearing! This is a book I know children will enjoy to read over and over again.
I highly recommend this book.
I rated this book a 5 out of 5.
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from Peachtree Publishers for review. I was in no way compensated for this review. It is my honest opinion.
If you found this review helpful vote yes or no here.
February 25, 2015
Personal Reaction:
I believe this book has a great combination of reading and math. I enjoyed reading about Jake’s experience on the 100th day of school and the celebration his class had. The illustrations in the book were decent. The colors were bright and attractive, and there was a diversity of student in the pictures.
Purpose:
This book would be wonderful to use for Kindergarten – 2nd grade. Ideally this book would be great in 1st grade, because it covers many of Common Core Standards. It has strong vocabulary; for instance, “Jake felt a flutter in his stomach”, or “big tears welled up in Jake’s eyes”. There was also a great fusion of number value, and the students can get a more physical recognition of what a hundred looks like. It has some counting by 10’s, which is a huge part in early elementary math. This book would obviously make a great lesson plan on the 100th day of school and have it read aloud at the beginning of the day. It would also help show how Math and English can be brought together, and give the students a better understanding how subjects overlap one another.
I believe this book has a great combination of reading and math. I enjoyed reading about Jake’s experience on the 100th day of school and the celebration his class had. The illustrations in the book were decent. The colors were bright and attractive, and there was a diversity of student in the pictures.
Purpose:
This book would be wonderful to use for Kindergarten – 2nd grade. Ideally this book would be great in 1st grade, because it covers many of Common Core Standards. It has strong vocabulary; for instance, “Jake felt a flutter in his stomach”, or “big tears welled up in Jake’s eyes”. There was also a great fusion of number value, and the students can get a more physical recognition of what a hundred looks like. It has some counting by 10’s, which is a huge part in early elementary math. This book would obviously make a great lesson plan on the 100th day of school and have it read aloud at the beginning of the day. It would also help show how Math and English can be brought together, and give the students a better understanding how subjects overlap one another.
Read
February 10, 2017I would read this book to my future class to celebrate the 100th day of school.
April 27, 2015
Finally! Jake's class is about to celebrate its 100th day of school by bring in the 100-thing collections they've been gathering all year. Jake's collection is cool--a scrapbook of 100 memories. But, then he leaves home without it. All around him a children with their collections of paper clips, pennies, and buttons. Jakes feels horrible. Luckily his principal helps him put together a substitute collection and the day is saved. And the next morning he brings in his project, with one addition--the photo he took of the celebration--so that he now has a 101 Memories Book.
I used this in a reading tutoring session with a second grader who's good at math. We had fun counting the crayons and other collections in groups of ten. But what I liked best about the book was Jake's amazing teacher, who makes every day special for his students.
I used this in a reading tutoring session with a second grader who's good at math. We had fun counting the crayons and other collections in groups of ten. But what I liked best about the book was Jake's amazing teacher, who makes every day special for his students.
March 5, 2013
This is a book that celebrates the 100th day of school. Everyone in the school is planning on bringing 100 things of anything to celebrate. Jake has planned on bringing a book of 100 memories that he has, but in all the excitement he accidentally leaves it at home. Jake is devastated by this until his teacher takes him aside and helps him by letting him borrow 100 of her books to share. Throughout the story Jake sees all the creative ways his classmates have chosen to represent 100. It is a good book for ideas for the 100th day of school celebration.
August 4, 2010
Every student in Mr. Thompson's class has been working hard on their 100th day of school project. Jake's hard at work on a photo album full of 100 pictures of memories. In all the excitement of the big day, Jake forgets his project at home! But with compassionate understanding, his principal, Mrs. Wadsworth finds a way to help Jake make the presentation a success after all.
Used for "Show & Tell" Storytime-October, 2010.
Used for "Show & Tell" Storytime-October, 2010.
May 6, 2011
Full of schoolroom life, activity, exhuberance and humorous details, JAKE'S 100TH DAY OF SCHOOL is not turning out at all the way he imagined-- as he's the only one who's forgotten to bring his 100 things. With tears running down his face, Jake finds refuge in the principal's office, where she helps him come up with a plan, so that he can join the class in their festivities. Jake is an African American child, in a predominantly white class.
February 15, 2013
This is a book that celebrates the 100th day of school. Everyone in the school is planning on bringing 100 things of anything to celebrate. Jake has planned on bringing a book of 100 memories that he has, but in all the excitement he accidentally leaves it at home. Jake is devastated by this until Mrs. Wadsworth takes him aside and helps him by letting hi borrow 100 of her books to share. Throughout the story Jake sees all the creative ways his classmates have chosen to represent 100.
April 14, 2013
I love this book! I would read it on the 100th day of school and have students bring in 100 somethings. We would see all the creative ways the students represented 100. This would be a great way for students to practice their 100 board. We could do 10 frames and addition/ subtraction to 100. A great story for students!
January 23, 2017
Jake collects 100 pictures of his family to create a book of memories to share on the 100th day of school... but gets so excited on the actual day, that he leaves his bookbag at home. With the help of his kind principal ( modeled from Mr. Laminack's good friend, Dr. Reba Wadsworth) Jake finds 100 books to show. An engaging story for all ages.... and feel-good ending for the 101 day!
February 6, 2011
Jake and his classmates are excited to be celebrating the 100th day of school. Jake's aunt has a surprise for the class. But when Jake forgets his contribution to the celebration, the principal comes to the rescue with 100 books. Fun story and liked how the book wraps up.
Read
February 15, 2013I got this book because the author was supposed to come to our school. But his flight was delayed. so the illistrator of the book came. Later the author came, I didn't meet him but yet he signed my book.
April 9, 2014
As the title say this book is about Jake 100th day of school and the activities that take place during the day. This book can be used to teach student math but also about their past experiences on the 100th days of school.
September 28, 2015
I thought that this was a cute book and would be great to read on the 100th day of school or a day before the first day of school and have students bring in a collection of 100 things like the kids in the story did.
June 20, 2026
This book was OK, a little dull. I think it would be a great introduction to big 100th projects if you were a kindergarten or first grade teacher. Great illustrations, though.
September 7, 2010
This book is about a boy who forgets a big project he was working on for a special day, but in the end everything works out and he is happy.
November 23, 2010
Good book to read on the 100th day of school. This book teaches how to count by 10's and how anyone can have a collection of 100 things all around them.
April 3, 2013
Nice book about the 100th day of school. Good for early elementary.
January 29, 2016
100th day book. Jake has to improvise when he forgets his project. Jake's Grandma Maggie arrives at school with her Aunt Lula.Aunt Lula is 100 years old!
February 18, 2016
Jake forgot his project for the 100th day of school, but gets way more than that by the end of the day.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews