The Fourth Grade Wizards

Elsie Edwards #5

by Barthe DeClements

After her mother dies, Marianne becomes a daydreamer and begins to fall behind in her schoolwork.

Genres: Childrens, Middle Grade, Fiction, Humor, Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Juvenile

144 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1988

Reviews

[Mikaela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I read this book a total of 10 times. Still one of my favorites from when I was in middle school. I'm thinking it's time for a re-read! Meeting Kirpluck never gets old!!

[Skylar BB · Rating 1 out of 5]

A story about a girl who seems to have lost her mother in an air crash and trying to cope with her new life. The story was so monotonous with so many useless scenarios.
And the Four Grade "Wizards" is not about wizards. The title says it is but it isn't. I mean there's no wizards. So no magic and wand either... nothing.

[Elenis Wong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clearing out some space in my parents' reading room, I found a huge batch of books from my childhood. This was one of my favorite books when I was younger; and re-reading it now so many years later, I remember why. Though it's quite dated, the core themes of the story are ones that the youth can still connect with today -- dealing with trauma (great or small), getting lost in daydreams to cope, and being misunderstood or underestimated.

Despite the wolf-hybrid pup taking center stage with the story arcs, I actually enjoy the one with the indignant neighbor. My favorite part is still that moment of satisfying retribution at the end, but I don't want to give it away. What I really love about this book is that it takes me back to when kids like Marianne still get their happy ending, no matter how much they have to go through to get it. Special recognition goes to Jack for being such a supportive friend. (In my imagined future of their lives, they fall in love and get married.)

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nostalgia-evoking with the mentions of things like SRA cards and the principal hand-delivering the teacher's paycheck to the classroom. Nice. Also, a sweet story of a girl who is slowly recovering from her mother's death in a plane crash. She daydreams a lot in class, which keeps her from becoming a fourth grade wizard (someone who gets all their work done and follows the rules etc.) Her friend Jack is so mischievous that he is also unable to achieve fourth grade wizard status. But maybe, with a little hard effort, things can change.

[Marna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I looked up what you would have to do to legally have a fox and not only would I have to move to Michigan but have a really specific type and size of enclosure.

That is way too much work.

I like how cats sleep 99% of the time.

[Gina Hormann · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books as a kid was Barthe DeClements’ Nothing’s Fair in Fifth Grade and one day I learned that she had written many other books with those same characters. I’m now 39, but I am enjoying these stories and this one was very cute. I love how the author brings in real serious issues into her books and tells how these kids and their parents and friends deal with all of them. At one point in this story I even cried just imagining what the protagonist Marianne was going through. I definitely recommend this story for readers of all ages. 💕

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

While a good read for a middle-schooler, there are some aspects which seem archaic in 2020. Marianne is dealing with the death of her mother, a new home and unwanted friend intent on stealing her mother's jewelry. And her teacher wants her to learn vocabulary words. The "wizards" are similar to hall monitors. This is a quick read with little drama.

[J · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dead parent, school for wizards, and an unusually stern instructor hung up on formulas... sounds like the proto-Potter book. Alas, the only magic is daydreamer Marianne’s adroit handling of a tether ball. Points definitely lost on the glorification of wolf-dog hybrid with inadequate background on the challenges and needs of such a pet outside of adequate roaming space.

[Allison Renner]

I read these a lifetime ago, probably when I was the intended age of the reader. I was randomly trying to remember these somewhat dated books I’d read as a kid and DeClements came to mind, so I wanted to re-read them. It was still pretty interesting and a quick read, but not something I’d necessarily recommend to kids these days.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Fourth Grade Wizards This is another nostalgia read which had held up over time. The ending is a little abrupt, but other than that, it was a good read. It deals with some big issues but isn't annoyingly didactic. 

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a nice heartwarming kids book. I just loved it.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really sweet—I loved Nothing’s Fair in Fifth Grade as a kid, and I thought Franny might enjoy this so I wanted to read it first. Marianne is so nice and it’s a very charming little book.

[Rose 'I Have Too Many Books To Read And No More Room' Barrientos · Rating 3 out of 5]

I still love these books as much as when I was a kid. Brittany's still a bitch though.

[Hippiemouse420]

Accidentally checked out from the library a second time. That's okay, though, because I generally really enjoy DeClements.

[Ruth E. R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story about healing after suffering a loss. A meandering plot. Significant dog character, for those of you who love dogs.

[Ashra Vahora · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fourth grades Wizards by Barthe DeClements is a delightful children's book that follows a group of fourth graders who find themselves involved in a magical adventure. The story is both whimsical and relatable, reflecting the everyday challenges of elementary school while adding a touch of fantasy.

In the book, the fourth graders discover that they possess magical powers, leading to a series of adventures and mishaps. The characters are well-developed, and their interactions provide both humor and insight into friendship and self-discovery. DeClements skillfully blends magic with real-life issues, making it a fun and engaging read for young readers.

If you're interested in a story that combines the excitement of magic with the realities of school life, The Fourth-Grade Wizards.

[Bunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

While dealing with my nephew's school's Sell Enough Gift Wrap to Get a Crappy Prize That You Could Have Bought For $2, I flashed to reading a book where characters won jump ropes as prizes for some activity.

It kept bouncing around in my brain and I was having a hard time nailing down which book it was, so I went to look at the bookshelf that holds the books I've collected from childhood reads. It's been awhile since I read this one, so I took it down and yep, it was a plot point in here.

This book series really holds up. It's been what the hell it's been 35 years since publish date that is clearly incorrect and I'll just pretend that never happened

ahem.

It's been quite some time since this was first published, and nothing feels really outdated. The situations are still real to life, from friendships to bullying to big life stuff. Marianne's struggles to deal with the normal issues of school while processing her mother's death feel so real, and you can't help rooting for her.

Also, I named a dog after her wolf hybrid. My mother couldn't ever remember that the dog's name was Kipluck, so she just called it Puppy Puppy. Including when she brought him to the vet, so his medication bottle was labeled for Puppy Puppy.

Ah, childhood memories.

Also if anyone would like to buy some overpriced gift wrap, lemme know. He's not getting a cool glow rope, unfortunately.

Edit: Same day I wrote this, I was digging through photo albums and found a picture of said Puppy Puppy.

[Catherine Mustread · Rating 4 out of 5]

To be a wizard students must be responsible, get their work done, and have perfect behavior. Jack gets all his work done but his behavior needs improving. Marianne has trouble getting her work done since her mother died. Grades 3+

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book featuring some of the characters from the iconic Nothing's Fair in Fifth Grade, this one focuses on Marianne and Jack the year before. The story is simple and forthright, totally relatable.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found these books again. I really liked them when I was growing up. There was something about them that I could relate to. Not so much now, but good for nostalgia purposes.

[Erin Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

The library's copy has this awesome '80s cover:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-med...

[Ereny · Rating 4 out of 5]

it is an awesome

[Shata T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was funny and awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bernice Tsao · Rating 5 out of 5]

hm! pretty sweet

[Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not very good i couldv'e made it better

[Celia · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE this book. It is very exciting. I think I'm going to reread it.

[Veronica Valentino]

This was a great quick read that can be read in a day. Buy the book and don't put it down.