Hallie's Horrible Handwriting

Hopscotch Hill School

by Valerie Tripp, Joy Allen (Illustrator)

Hallie loves school--except for writing. Her letters wiggle and wobble so much, she never wants to practice. When her scribble-scrabble handwriting almost ruins her butterfly journal, Hallie's had enough. Then some surprise gifts from her friends show Hallie that practice really does make a difference.

Genres: Childrens, Realistic Fiction, School

48 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2003

About the author

Valerie Tripp is a children's book author, best known for her work with the American Girl series.

She grew up in Mount Kisco, New York with three sisters and one brother. A member of the first co-educated class at Yale University, Tripp also has a M.Ed. from Harvard. Since 1985 she has lived in Silver Spring, Maryland. Her husband teaches history at Montgomery College.

Right out of college, Tripp started writing songs, stories, and nonfiction for The Superkids Reading Program, working with Pleasant Rowland, the founder of American Girl. For that series, Tripp wrote all the books about Felicity, Josefina, Kit, Molly, and Maryellen and many of the books about Samantha. She also wrote the "Best Friends" character stories to date, plays, mysteries, and short stories about all her characters.. Film dramatizations of the lives of Samantha, Felicity, Molly, and Kit have been based on her stories. Currently, Tripp is writing a STEM series for National Geographic and adapting Greek Myths for Starry Forest Publishing. A frequent speaker at schools and libraries, Tripp has also spoken at the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian, The New York Historical Society, and Williamsburg.

Reviews

[Hallie Jo]

I read this book as a kid and felt so seen as a Hallie with horrible handwriting. I also never see my name anywhere so it was super cool to have a book using the name.

[Darian - Books With A Chance · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a cute story for young kids who are worried about not being able to do something perfectly. I’ve not met a kid who cares about their handwriting but my youngest gets upset when he can’t do something the first time, and just like in this story we remind him that things take time and practice and that’s okay. So if you give kids other examples they will probably connect to this story. I also like the “Dear Parents” activity tips in the back.

[Donna Crane]

Formal schooling has just started for Hallie but already her fine motor skill difficulties are stressing her out! She's supposed to write her name for her desk but it comes out awful. Her teacher Miss Sparks tells her she just needs more practice, but who wants to practice when the letters are too tall or run together? One day, after too may rubs with the eraser, her journal page tears(rips), resulting in tears(crying). Thank goodness, her classmates,teacher, and some butterflies come together to give Hallie the confidence she needs. After the story, this book contains a series of recommended activities that parents can do with their children to make learning to write more fun and less stressful and to increase self-confidence as kids struggle to master any new skills.

[Jillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel you, Hallie. I have horrible handwriting too, and I've never grown out of it. Of course, my bad handwriting stems from the fact that I'm a lefty who learned to write with her right hand because there were no other lefties in my class and I just went with the general flow. I'm not sure what your problem is, kid. Just be grateful they don't teach cursive anymore. That is a whole other demon.

[B · Rating 3 out of 5]

J By one of the American Girl authors, this series called Hopscotch Hill School, is for younger readers, featuring a small classroom and a perceptive and kind teacher. In this book, Hallie struggles with her handwriting. Probably appealing to 1st-2nd grade readers.

[The names Su..(: · Rating 5 out of 5]

once again, may seem dorky, but i need lots o books!

[Kelsie · Rating 2 out of 5]

i liked it but it was very very easy for me

[Neelam · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was very apt for my daughter. She was in the same phase as Hallie, thinking she just cannot write well. This book helped her to overcome her fear for writing.

[Erica]

Book about a girls who is not confident about her handwriting but learns to be patient and keep trying.

[Hallie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. And the only reason my mom and dad got it was because that is my name.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book brought relief the my left handed daughter while she struggled with handwriting. read it over and over again.

[Lolly · Rating 2 out of 5]

im 9 so i think it was way too easy