Mostly Monty: First Grader

Monty #1

by Johanna Hurwitz, Anik McGrory (Illustrator)

A shy boy with asthma starts first grade — and comes into his own — in this appealing story for early chapter book readers.

Six-year-old Monty doesn’t have a brother, a sister, or a pet. What he does have is asthma, which sometimes makes it hard to breathe and often makes him feel like he’d rather be somebody else. And now that he’s starting first grade, he’s very nervous about being with all those kids he won’t know. Luckily, he loves to read — even really hard books — and has a talent for finding things, from a cocooning caterpillar to classmates who want to be in his very own club. With familiar situations and gentle humor, Johanna Hurwitz follows an endearing character as he discovers that being himself can be pretty great after all.

Genres: Childrens, Realistic Fiction, 2nd Grade

96 pages, Paperback

First published June 12, 2007

About the author

Johanna Hurwitz is an American author of more than sixty children's books. She has sold millions of books in many different languages.

Reviews

[Darla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Monty knows who he is. He is a first grade boy with asthma. Other kids who struggle with the same condition will relate to Monty. No rough play outside. No pets. Monty feel like he is at a disadvantage in relation to his peers. So, he makes up for what he is lacking in other ways. His reading level is well above the other students in his class. When other classmates are drawing pictures of their pets, Mont makes up an imaginary dinosaur. Then he finds a caterpillar and keeps it in a jar until the transformation into a moth. He becomes an expert (almost too good) at delivering lost goods to the office. The final chapter is about a kangaroo club that Monty starts, inviting other kids to meet at his home. By the end of the book, Monty is much more comfortable in his own skin. Kids will enjoy Monty's adventures and learn what life is like with asthma.

[Lanica · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a parent, I liked the idea behind this book. I liked that it showed a boy with asthma living his life and having fun. My boys are tough - they like to run and tackle and play hard with everyone...of every age, gender and race. I've taught them to be gentle with babies, and they usually are. But, I like that this book opens a discussion about why they have to be careful with kids their own age and size, too. They can never know who they need to be gentle around, and for what reason...

As a teacher, I agree that his parents are stifling him a bit more than is needed, but I think the idea is still sound. It is realistic that some parents will treat their child this way. And, as Monty is only in first grade, it's likely that he will learn where his limits lay as he gets older. I will not condemn the book for keeping Monty too safe. I will praise it for opening discussion about health issues in a way that is non-threatening and shows the child in an upbeat way. Monty is honest about his illness with the reader and lets other children learn from him.

[Andrus Boys]

We really enjoyed this.

[Heather Steed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and fast read.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary: Because he suffers from asthma, six-year-old Monty is nervous about starting first grade but he soon learns to cope with his illness and use his special talents to make friends.

Monty doesn't get to go play outside to run around with the other kids or play sports because of his asthma so he doesn't have a lot of friends as he starts school. His strength is reading and loves to read nonfiction. In the book, Monty has some fun with some old toys that his neighbor is throwing away. He also starts to find an interest in finding things that are lost as school, bringing them to the main office to the lost and found box. He gets complemented by the school secretary. He loves the attention so much, he even take his own lunch down to the office one day pretending it is a lost lunch he found. Big mistake because that means he is out of a lunch that day! In school, the teacher talks about having a hobby. Monty decides that kangaroos are his hobby. He tries to learn as much about them as he can. He forms a Kangaroo Club and get a few other children to join him, making a nice little group o friends. The book ends, "He was feeling pretty good...It wasn't even from having new friends. It was mostly because he was glad to be himself. He liked being Monty after all." (86).

The book doesn't focus on the asthma. It is just an tiny element of the story. from the author "However, this is not a book about a sick boy. Monty is an average six year-old, and asthma is a part of his life, just as freckles or eyeglasses are for others."

Letter O
3rd grade reading level

[Libby Ames · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly Monty is the story of a shy first grader afflicted by asthma. Because of his condition, Monty can’t run and play with the other children. He also can’t have a pet. However, Monty finds ways to overcome his sickness. He adopts a caterpillar, finds a hobby, and makes new friends.

This easy chapter book speaks to some of the struggles and worries of a typical first grader. The story fits the intended audience with calm conflict and encouraging stories. The vocabulary can be a little tricky in places, but it is a perfect chapter book for parents and children to read together with parents giving word prompts where necessary.

[Bill Prosser · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would make a good beginning chapter book. Monty is a first grade with asthma. Probably the first book I've read with the inhaler playing a major role in a character's personality. I really liked it that the school librarian was a MAN! Beginning readers will enjoy this short chapter book that I thought was well written.

[Lora · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick and pleasant read. It was heartwarming and really put a smile on my face. The accompanying illustrations were a great addition to the simple text. I loved following Monty through his first days in first grade. He was scared, but eventually found his own place. This would be a great books for beginner readers.

[E · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I learned from this book is that sometimes when you have asthma and you have to take an inhaler to school and when you're puffing some kids in the class might think that you always have to take it and they might tease you. What I liked about the book Mostly Monty is that I learned something from it.

[Joenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Because he suffers from asthma, six-year-old Monty is nervous about starting first grade but he soon learns to cope with his illness and use his special talents to make friends.

What a sweet character. Great series for younger kids reading at a higher reading level.

[Mandy Robek · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good guy character was my review in 2014. I reread this book because I didn't remember reading and it and wrote a blog post in 2016. Monty is a mature first grader that is a great read for second graders, see my blog for more info.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute but not as memorable as some of the other books we've read this summer. However, I'm glad there are more in this series for Aaron to read on his own. Full review here: http://sunlitpages.blogspot.com/2014/...

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute, quick read for a child who is just reading on his/her own.

Monty doesn't feel like he really fits in with the other kids in his first grade class, but he has many special talents.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Monty is a lovable character and an excellent example of a child that feels

[Fluxbrarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Early chapter book. Quiet male character with asthma. Not like obnoxious Junie B Jones.

[Kim Maddin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story for even a reluctant reader. Good life lesson and just an all round "nice" story.

[Kate Hastings]

RL680

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid start to a series. Good introduction to a main character. Great vocabulary.

[Alexis Dowdell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since I used to have asthma I can relate to this book. It is trying to teach students how to still be able to do modified activities even with asthma.

[Carmela · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet, gentle story.

[CJ]

So cute.