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School Daze #1
Report to the Principal's Office!
A fast, fun, friendship read from the Newbery-award winning author of Maniac Magee.
It's the first day of school at Plumstead Middle School and already there's trouble. It starts with Sunny, who is determined to do whatever it will take to get herself suspended. Then there's Eddie, who has a three-point plan for fitting in, but still gets beaten up on the morning bus. Salem is all too pleased to witness Eddie's troubles--as a future famous writer, she's drawn to drama. And on top of it all, there's Pickles Johnson, who is just...well...Pickles.
These four sixth graders have only one thing in common. They're all about to report to the principal's office.
It's the first day of school at Plumstead Middle School and already there's trouble. It starts with Sunny, who is determined to do whatever it will take to get herself suspended. Then there's Eddie, who has a three-point plan for fitting in, but still gets beaten up on the morning bus. Salem is all too pleased to witness Eddie's troubles--as a future famous writer, she's drawn to drama. And on top of it all, there's Pickles Johnson, who is just...well...Pickles.
These four sixth graders have only one thing in common. They're all about to report to the principal's office.
144 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
48 people are currently reading
849 people want to read
About the author
Jerry Spinelli
113 books4,012 followersWhen Jerry Spinelli was a kid, he wanted to grow up to be either a cowboy or a baseball player. Lucky for us he became a writer instead.
He grew up in rural Pennsylvania and went to college at Gettysburg College and Johns Hopkins University. He has published more than 25 books and has six children and 16 grandchildren.
Jerry Spinelli began writing when he was 16 — not much older than the hero of his book Maniac Magee. After his high school football team won a big game, his classmates ran cheering through the streets — all except Spinelli, who went home and wrote a poem about the victory. When his poem was published in the local paper, Spinelli decided to become a writer instead of a major-league shortstop.
In most of his books, Spinelli writes about events and feelings from his own childhood. He also gets a lot of material from his seven adventurous kids! Spinelli and his wife, Eileen, also a children's book author, live in Pennsylvania.
He grew up in rural Pennsylvania and went to college at Gettysburg College and Johns Hopkins University. He has published more than 25 books and has six children and 16 grandchildren.
Jerry Spinelli began writing when he was 16 — not much older than the hero of his book Maniac Magee. After his high school football team won a big game, his classmates ran cheering through the streets — all except Spinelli, who went home and wrote a poem about the victory. When his poem was published in the local paper, Spinelli decided to become a writer instead of a major-league shortstop.
In most of his books, Spinelli writes about events and feelings from his own childhood. He also gets a lot of material from his seven adventurous kids! Spinelli and his wife, Eileen, also a children's book author, live in Pennsylvania.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
April 19, 2016
Okay, I just reread this last night after having not read it since 7th or 8th grade. Jerry Spinelli is special. This is a very short, very light book and somehow it has a lasting impression and made me love the characters. I loved the new school, Plumstead, the principal who was AWESOME, and the 4 main characters. They felt so incredibly real. This book is so much fun. I fell in LOVE with Pickle even though he doesn't say much. I just found out that this is actually a series which makes me insanely happy! I'm absolutely going to track down the next 3 books.
October 2, 2012
It was okay for me, i mean, its written well but its all over the place and you cant really get the gist of it. But on the bright side, the ending was really touching.
May 12, 2009
I have learned never to be surprised when a Jerry Spinelli book exceeds my expectations, since ALL of them do, and by the time I finished "Report to the Principal's Office", the old familiar feeling of having loved a Jerry Spinelli story was comfortably in place.
It's a little bit unusual to see a series (even a mini-series, as is the case for "School Daze") come from the pen of this author, but as always Jerry Spinelli wonderfully and sensitively has created a world full of big-hearted, memorable characters that is written with unmistakably smooth sweetness. There are some mildly stomach-turning things near the beginning for the sake of realism, its true, but these bits are necessary to shape a world that really means something to the reader, a world that rings impeccably true while reaching deep inside and affecting the reader's heart.
No one surpasses Jerry Spinelli in the resonance with which he write about matters of true love, loss, pain, and reclamation. If one were to judge "Report to the Principal's Office" from the cover, one might see just another hastily-written book series for kids, and dismiss it as a dime-a-dozen volume. Jerry Spinelli is never satisfied with giving the reader anything less than his best, whole self, though, and that comes through beautifully in these pages, as in everything that he has ever written.
I recommend this book enthusiastically, and look forward with great anticipation to the remaining "School Daze" series.
It's a little bit unusual to see a series (even a mini-series, as is the case for "School Daze") come from the pen of this author, but as always Jerry Spinelli wonderfully and sensitively has created a world full of big-hearted, memorable characters that is written with unmistakably smooth sweetness. There are some mildly stomach-turning things near the beginning for the sake of realism, its true, but these bits are necessary to shape a world that really means something to the reader, a world that rings impeccably true while reaching deep inside and affecting the reader's heart.
No one surpasses Jerry Spinelli in the resonance with which he write about matters of true love, loss, pain, and reclamation. If one were to judge "Report to the Principal's Office" from the cover, one might see just another hastily-written book series for kids, and dismiss it as a dime-a-dozen volume. Jerry Spinelli is never satisfied with giving the reader anything less than his best, whole self, though, and that comes through beautifully in these pages, as in everything that he has ever written.
I recommend this book enthusiastically, and look forward with great anticipation to the remaining "School Daze" series.
October 2, 2011
the book I'm reading, "Report to the Principal's Office", is a good book.(It's funny!!)
Elizabeth Sunshine Wyler wants to get kicked out of Plumestead Middle School so she acts very nasty in school.
Salem Brownmiller wants to be a famous writer when she grows up. At first, she begins to write her story about HER first day of school. But then she begins to write about Eddie Mott, and then realizes what the principal Mr. T Brimlow said that Eddie is not a good character, but is a real person with feelings.
Eddie Mott,is trying to fit in, but keeps getting picked on and beaten up on the bus.
Pickles,well, he doesn't really seem to have a problem!
But Mr.T told Sunny that if she doesn't take care of the school hamster Humphrey, she will never get kicked out of Plumstead (which is what she wants,) and then she will never be able to go to Cedar Grove Middle School with her best frind Hillary.
If someone finds Humphrey dead in the refridgerator located in the teachers lounge, I think Mr.T will suspect Sunny did it. Then she will NEVER be able to wash her hair, or change her t-shirt, AND definately won't be able to go to Ceadar Grove middle school with her best friend Hillary, who lives right across the street.
In the end, Humphrey was acutally hibernating or something. Eddie has afriend, Pickles.And won't get picked on anymore. Sunny finally got abath and won't get kicked out.
Elizabeth Sunshine Wyler wants to get kicked out of Plumestead Middle School so she acts very nasty in school.
Salem Brownmiller wants to be a famous writer when she grows up. At first, she begins to write her story about HER first day of school. But then she begins to write about Eddie Mott, and then realizes what the principal Mr. T Brimlow said that Eddie is not a good character, but is a real person with feelings.
Eddie Mott,is trying to fit in, but keeps getting picked on and beaten up on the bus.
Pickles,well, he doesn't really seem to have a problem!
But Mr.T told Sunny that if she doesn't take care of the school hamster Humphrey, she will never get kicked out of Plumstead (which is what she wants,) and then she will never be able to go to Cedar Grove Middle School with her best frind Hillary.
If someone finds Humphrey dead in the refridgerator located in the teachers lounge, I think Mr.T will suspect Sunny did it. Then she will NEVER be able to wash her hair, or change her t-shirt, AND definately won't be able to go to Ceadar Grove middle school with her best friend Hillary, who lives right across the street.
In the end, Humphrey was acutally hibernating or something. Eddie has afriend, Pickles.And won't get picked on anymore. Sunny finally got abath and won't get kicked out.
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August 8, 2012My thoughts about the book is what is the promblems with these four kids. Sunny makes herself dirty and let snot run down her nose. Then Eddie comes in. He makes a three point plan on how to try to make friends and avoid geting beat up by older kids. But that does not happen,he got thrown on the bus like a football. Now we shift over to Salem,which is a girl,who wants to be a writer. She loves to witness
Eddie being beat up and tormented every day and she likes to bother him about it,and I think she has a crush on him. Last is a boy who calls himself Pickles. He has a skateboard called a pickle board. So he I think he likes pickles. But in the story he said he likes the shape of a pickle but not the smell. Thats kind of weird. So these kids are lucky that they invited to the principle office. They got rid of there problems and weirdness.
Eddie being beat up and tormented every day and she likes to bother him about it,and I think she has a crush on him. Last is a boy who calls himself Pickles. He has a skateboard called a pickle board. So he I think he likes pickles. But in the story he said he likes the shape of a pickle but not the smell. Thats kind of weird. So these kids are lucky that they invited to the principle office. They got rid of there problems and weirdness.
November 2, 2012
Sunny is mean, and she'll do whatever it takes to get expelled from Plumstead Middle School. Eddie is a wimp, and he'll do whatever it takes to not be killed by seventh and eigth graders. Salem is a writer, and she's always taking notes about life so she can have a good story. Pickles invents stuff, and is well-liked around town. These four kids have only one thing in common--they're going to report to the principal's office. They keep spending time at teh principal's office but they are not in trouble for it only one of them is which is sunny wyler she is trying to get back to the old days and be with her friend, Hillary.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 14, 2015
Jerry Spinelli is at his best again. The first day of middle school, 6th grade, is like entering a foreign country. Spinelli takes his 4 special students and shows them who the enemy is, any 8th grader. But this is also the first day for a new Principal who is determined to make every one part of a family.
It is funny, poignant,and sweet. I loved his characters and how they get to know what 6th grade is all about.
It is funny, poignant,and sweet. I loved his characters and how they get to know what 6th grade is all about.
March 20, 2013
The story tells us that people can go through stuggles and still find the way that they all enjoy. In this story, Jerry Spinelli gives the story a little twist by using nicknames and real actual name to comfuse people, but after a while, you'll get the hang of it. The characters all go through stuggles such as friendship, lunches, story making, etc.
May 13, 2009
Another great read for middle school students. It is told from multiple perspectives of students who would otherwise have nothing in common. They are brought together in a new middle school with a new principal.
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November 1, 2009this book sucks...wat the heck..its horrible..jerry spinelli doesnt no how to write books really..i wanted to try reading for once so i picked this book and made me read never agin..JERRY..LEARN HOW TO WRITE A BOOK
February 25, 2010
I enjoyed the different characters, and I think that most kids could connect with at least one of them, if not some part of all of them. It's the beginning of Spinelli's School Daze series, so there are other novels that follow these same characters, too, all of whom are entertaining.
August 22, 2010
What happens when you take 4 "misfit" kids, and send them to a brand new middle school, with a brand new principal? Chaos?
I enjoyed this fun story about finding your place, and growing up. The characters are rich, funny, and real. I am thinking about reading this out loud to my class.
I enjoyed this fun story about finding your place, and growing up. The characters are rich, funny, and real. I am thinking about reading this out loud to my class.
Want to read
December 21, 2008i sort of want 2 read this if u hav a review plz tell me !!!!!!
June 1, 2009
In this book, a variety of totally different people all have one thing in common: they are all about to report to the principal's office!
February 19, 2010
This book was ok i liked it-but it was kinda wierd...the kids stories were wierd...
April 20, 2011
This book was kinda weird. It didn have a good plot to it and it just wasnt my type. The story mad sense but the ending was horrible.
August 15, 2011
another wonderful book by Spinelli :)
September 29, 2012
i think this book had touching details. I think jerry spinelli is A VERY TALENTED author nauturally
January 8, 2013
Too cute with laugh out loud moments that young readers will love.
May 16, 2013
Wicked book. Really interesting to spend your time.
January 12, 2015
Report to Principal’s Office by Jerry Spinelli wasn’t my all time favorite book. At times it was hard to follow along and figure out what was happening. This book is hard to explain but here is what went on in the book.
One day, 2 best friends find out they have to go to separate schools when the government decides what streets go to which school. Elizabeth Sunny Wyler and her best friend get separated and Elizabeth hates it! She wanted to do anything she could to get kicked out. She didn’t wash her hair, she wore the same clothes every day, and was a terrible student at school. Salem Brownmiller starts to write about her first day of school but ends up writing about Eddie Mott’s first day and finds out he is actually a real person with feelings.
The principle one day tells Elizabeth that if she doesn’t take care of the school hamster, Humphrey, she will never get kicked out of the school. One day someone finds Humphrey dead in the freezer. Although they don’t tell the principal because they think he will think Elizabeth did it. In the end, the hamster was just hibernating. But now Elizabeth has the choice of staying at her school with her 3 new friends, or going to the school with her best friend.
I liked the book at the end because it was real touching but throughout the whole book it did get confusing and was hard to keep up with. I suggest this book for all ages in middle school. I think a lot of you will enjoy this book, so go read it!
One day, 2 best friends find out they have to go to separate schools when the government decides what streets go to which school. Elizabeth Sunny Wyler and her best friend get separated and Elizabeth hates it! She wanted to do anything she could to get kicked out. She didn’t wash her hair, she wore the same clothes every day, and was a terrible student at school. Salem Brownmiller starts to write about her first day of school but ends up writing about Eddie Mott’s first day and finds out he is actually a real person with feelings.
The principle one day tells Elizabeth that if she doesn’t take care of the school hamster, Humphrey, she will never get kicked out of the school. One day someone finds Humphrey dead in the freezer. Although they don’t tell the principal because they think he will think Elizabeth did it. In the end, the hamster was just hibernating. But now Elizabeth has the choice of staying at her school with her 3 new friends, or going to the school with her best friend.
I liked the book at the end because it was real touching but throughout the whole book it did get confusing and was hard to keep up with. I suggest this book for all ages in middle school. I think a lot of you will enjoy this book, so go read it!
April 24, 2014
Report to the Principal’s Office is about 4 kids who go to the same school. The first day of school there is trouble and these 4 kids are given responsibilities to help them in middle school. Every Wednesday Sunny, Eddie, Salem, and Pickles go to the principal’s office to have lunch with their principle. Each person was assigned a different job by the principle that they do. Sunny does not like the school and tries to transfer to another school to be with her best friend Hillary. Sunny has to choose to whether to transfer to the other school or stay with the three friends she goes to the principle’s office with. The book discusses middle school conflicts and having responsibility.
This book is relatable with the first day of school, everyone is nervous and does not know what is going on, there are new people. I like the focus on the 4 characters who go to the principals office, they are all different and I feel people can relate to at least one of them. I wonder where the author came up with the 4 different characters, are them from his experience in middle school or his children's experience?
This book is relatable with the first day of school, everyone is nervous and does not know what is going on, there are new people. I like the focus on the 4 characters who go to the principals office, they are all different and I feel people can relate to at least one of them. I wonder where the author came up with the 4 different characters, are them from his experience in middle school or his children's experience?
April 14, 2014
Wringer is a book about Palmer LaRue, a boy who is dreading his tenth birthday. The town he lives in has a Family Fest every year and ends with a pigeon shoot and all the 10 year old boys are “wringers” who’s task is the break the necks of the injured pigeons. Palmer does not want to do this at all but convinces himself that the pigeons are better off. One day a pigeon pecks on Palmer’s window, he tries to scare the pigeon away but it stays. Palmer opens his window and the pigeon flies in and he then protects the pigeon and calls it Nipper. He tries to hide Nipper from his friends and parents and he gives Nipper to his friend Dorothy who releases Nipper to make sure he is safe. However, she releases Nipper where pigeons are captured for the pigeon shoot. This book is good for students to see that they can find friends in the most unusual places and can be pets. The book also talks about being different and not staying in a stereotype and you do not have to do everything you are told to do.
November 13, 2015
I have recently finished reading Report to the Principal’s Office by Jerry Spinelli. I believe that this book is okay because it was a little confusing at some points in the book. It started off with two girls who were getting separated because of new school boundaries, but all of a sudden, the plot completely shifted to a boy who had a whole different opinion about everything. I thought this book did this too many times because it just got me confused after a couple of chapters. I believe that the plot was good, a bunch of misfits who all become friends because of one trip to the principal's office, but Jerry Spinelli could have just done it on one point of view. I think that is is cool that this can happen where a bunch of kids with no similarities can eventually become friends, but Spinelli could have made the plot a little bit more clearer for me. I have recently finished Report to the Principal's Office by Jerry Spinelli and recommend this book to you for a short, holiday read.
October 16, 2013
I thought that this book was very interesting. The main character, Sunny is very intriguing because she does her best to get suspended while almost everybody tries to avoid suspension. She would be willing to get suspended and have that go on her permanent record just to be with her best friend in school when they always hang out after school. She is very determined because in the text it says "Sunny Wyler was on her way. She was sure she would be the first kid ever transferred out of poopy Plumstead" (28). Sunny really wanted to be with her friend so badly she wouldn't mind getting kicked out for her friend. I think that she should just make do with what she has and try to make new friends instead of clinging on to one friend her whole life.
January 5, 2015
the problem with me reading great books is that i tend to expect so much from the authors when reading another of their books.i loved maniac mcgee.i just loved it.so when i saw this book by jerry spinelli, i was visualizing great things from it.great stories, great characters, great narrations.sadly, it wasnt meant to be.this is no more than a mediocre book, but i think it would have been better if the focus is more on Pickles?and it was so short, it looks like only half of it was printed and i should wait for the second, hopefully better, half.oh mr spinelli, you can never beat e.l. konigsburg's six-graders.the view from saturday will always be the best for me.this is the stuff that should be put into movies.
October 11, 2009
Sunny, wearing her "DEATH TO MUSHROOMS" T-shirt is a grump, being separated from her best friend Hillary. When the Cedar Grove school had too many students, it is separated into another school called Plumstead Middle School. Sunny does what she can to get expelled and sent to the same school as Hillary.
This is a good light-hearted story with some interesting characters, including Salem the girl with a notpad often on hand who wants to be a writer, the timid Eddie, the inventive Pickles, the very enthusiastic principal, Lips Hummelsdorf the music teacher, and Humphrey the hamster.
This is a good light-hearted story with some interesting characters, including Salem the girl with a notpad often on hand who wants to be a writer, the timid Eddie, the inventive Pickles, the very enthusiastic principal, Lips Hummelsdorf the music teacher, and Humphrey the hamster.
April 23, 2015
In this book its the beginning of the school year sunny is the despite is a grump determined to hate everything and everyone at Plumstead middle school. He memorizes every student's name and profile, but it's a handful of sixth graders that seem to take up all his time. Principal Brimlow calls these four kids to his office, where they eat lunch and get to know each other. in my opinion this book was okay because some times it talk about something different not about school and this book should be about school because of the title.
July 22, 2025
seven year old me was soo gagged by the face cards on the cover of this book. bisexual awakening
May 17, 2022
Report to the Principal office was a somewhat ok book. Nothing to crazy or eventful for my liking but wasn't bad. This book was the type a person would read just to pass time. I like the contrast the author allowed each character to have but this book is about 4 young students coming from diverse backgrounds and personality traits; Sunny a young girl who is stubborn and would do anything in her power to try and get kicked out of Plumstead because she wants to attend her best friend's middle school, Eddie a young boy who comes into middle school and tries his best to fit in and make friends but some situations comes up that makes that goal a bit hard to reach, Pickles a boy who became famous form his creation putting pickles on a Christmas tree and his other inventions and lastly Salem a young lady that wants to become a famous writer one day, someone who is very head strong and will write about anything she sees or hears. These 4 students were brought in by their principal Mr. Brimlow takes these students (posse) under his wing to make sure that his first year as the principle is fun, successful and enjoyable for all.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews