Get Ready for Second Grade, Amber Brown

A is for Amber #4

by Paula Danziger, Tony Ross (Illustrator)

Amber Brown is excited to be starting second grade - and a little nervous. She's worried that the new teacher might not be as nice as she hopes.
Plus, Hannah Burton is going to be in her class, and Amber knows Hannah can be mean. But on the way to school with her best friend Justin, Amber makes a decision.
She is going to be ready for whatever happens. And second grade had better be ready for Amber Brown!

Genres: Childrens, Realistic Fiction, School, Back To School, Fiction, Picture Books, 2nd Grade

48 pages, Hardcover

First published July 22, 2002

About the author

Paula Danziger was an American children's author. She wrote more than 30 books, including her 1974 debut The Cat Ate My Gymsuit, for children's and young adult audiences. At the time of her death, all her books were still in print; they had been published in 53 countries and translated into 14 languages.

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Neo is back for another week and that means more reading. He wanted to tackle this Amber Brown series, which takes us to her as she prepares for 2nd grade. Amber is a little nervous, as the long-time second grade teacher has left for a new job. Gathering her supplies, she heads to the playground, where others are speculating about what to expect. When Amber and her classmates meet Ms. Light, it is nothing like they expected. She is kind and funny... and so full of information. By the end, Amber has a better feeling about the entire 2nd grade year. Neo liked the story, as it was not too long and the illustrations were amusing. He liked learning more about Amber and hopes we can revisit her again soon.

[Autumn King]

I absolutely love the illustrations of these books! These stories remind me of Junie B. Jones without all the mischief. Amber brown is a normal child nervous about going to a new grade. I chose to read this book because my child is also nervous about the next school year. When we were done she said, "Oh! well, now I'm not so scared!". So, I do love the fact that my child could relate to the subject of the story.

As a teacher I think this book would be fairly easy for children to read. The sentences are short and easy. A child learning to read could possibly try to tackle this story on their own. The pictures will really draw them in! As the books relate to them I believe children will be more likely to read them as my child did. I would use this book to entertain my class with Amber's everyday adventures. Also, to show how much these stories relate to them. This was our first time reading an Amber Brown book. We will definitely be adding these to our reading list!

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! It is a great story because it shows us we shouldn't worry about certain things before we get in the situation. Amber was very nervous and worried about going to second grade because there was going to be a new teacher that she had heard was no fun. When she gets to class she quickly realizes that there was nothing to worry about! Ms. Light was an amazing and loving teacher. She was not anything like Amber was expecting.

I would love to use this book in the classroom because it can teach kids a great lesson. Just because we might hear certain things about people does not mean it is true. This book can show the students that things can turn out very different than we expect sometimes. All in all the book would be great lesson for a classroom and it is super fun to read too!

[Lynesha Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amber Brown is excited, yet nervous about starting second grade. As she arranges her school supplies into her new backpack she wonders what her teacher will be like. Mrs. Wilson, the teacher Amber thought she would have no longer works at the elementary school and Amber consistently wonders what her new second grade teacher would be like. This is a great book for children to relate to. I remember some details from my first day of elementary, and I remember vivid details from middle/ high school, and college during my first days.

[Alison Bryant · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is both comical, and joyful. As Amber Brown begins second grade, she is a little worried to find out who her new teacher is going to be. Many times this is a feeling all children can have when they begin a new school year. This book provides a great outlook for students because they are able to relate to how Amber Brown is feeling and the things that happen while she’s at school. As a teacher, I would use this book in two different ways: 1) As an introduction at the beginning of the year. On the first day of school, the students would be able to feel at ease as it’s okay to be worried your first day of school. 2.) The book can help students to work on their description skills. The students could work on describing characteristics of a teacher in the school, like Amber Brown described her teacher.

[Claire Brignac · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a GREAT read for students who are nervous about their first day of school. This book is about a little girl named Amber who is nervous about her first day of Second grade. The teacher that she knows moved away so there is a new teacher this year and she doesn't know the new teacher will be so she is very nervous. At the end of the day, she realized that she has nothing to worry about and that everything is fine! I think this book is good for students that are scared or go into anything that they are nervous about. They can learn a bunch of things from this book.

[Manda Marigold · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 stars. In this book, Amber Brown is preparing for second grade. Amber is nervous for many reasons. A new teacher is just one of them. Amber eventually eases into her first day of second grade. She learns new concepts, such as the meaning of her name in relation to science. This book is perfect to read at the beginning of the school year.

[Chase · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this, I am not a second grader, but I did think, this book was really good. Amber's fears about a new teacher relate to those of any child starting a new grade. The book holds the interest of kids my age, it has very good illustrations. I hope my parents will buy more me of Amber books.

[Camille Crist · Rating 5 out of 5]

For students who might be intimidated with going into a new grade, this book could put them at ease knowing what it will look like.

[(NS)Jennifer Reiner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amber Brown is very nervous for second grade. The teacher that she has heard so much about has moved away. Amber is very nervous about what the new teacher will be like. Will she give seven hours of homework? What if she is an alien from another planet? Amber is very nervous, and Hannah Burton doesn't make things easier for her either. When she arrives at school, she meets Ms. Light who looks different than any teacher she's ever met before. Will Ms. Light end up to be a great teacher? As Ms. Light begins a class discussion about light and energy, Amber learns that her names has to do with the word electrons. Everything turns out ok, and Amber is ready and happy for second grade.

I enjoyed reading this story. I think that this story would be a great read to share with my first graders at the end of the year. I think that so much anxiety goes into the following school year and if there is something that I could do to help my students, I'd love that. Sharing a book with the students and having them connect would make them feel like everything will be alright in second grade. Amber is a lovable character.

[Mattie Weck · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am easily able to relate to this book, because I vividly remember how nervous I was when beginning a new grade level with a new teacher and new class each year. I like that the text is written in first-person from the child’s point of view, because it makes it even more relatable for children which adds to their enjoyment. This would be a great read aloud for the first day of school to address any insecurities kids may be having about a new school year. It would be easy and effective to tie in other academic activities along with this reading as well. For example, after reading this book aloud to students, you could introduce a poetry lesson based upon the text of the story. Students could all start their poem with “On the first day of school” and then create four lines of their own questions, which reflects what is seen in the book. (ex. What if she gives us seven hours of homework?) At the end of the first day, students could finish their poem with how they felt about the new school at that point, similar to how the story ends with: “I, Amber Brown, am ready for second grade”. Also, this book would be a good early-reader to have in the classroom for independent reading.

[NS-Christine Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amber Brown is going to be in second grade! The only problem is that the second grade teacher, Mrs. Wilson, moved away. Amber has no idea who the new teacher is. Amber wonders, what if she doesn't like me? She tries not to think about it as she packs up her new teddy-bear
backpack. His name is Bear Lee Brown.

When Amber gets to school she catches up with all of her classmates, including Hannah Burton. Hannah Burton tells Amber that second graders shouldn't wear a baby teddy-bear backpacks. Amber decides not to let Hannah ruin second grade for her. Finally, it's time to go inside Room 2....... What will the new second grade teacher be like Amber Brown?!

This is a great book for the beginning of school year. Controlled text makes it a great choice for early readers.

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book exceeded all of my expectations for it. When I sat down to read it with my daughter, I believed it would fall into the same category as a Fancy Nancy or Disney Princess type of early chapter book. Needless to say, I am so glad that my child chose this book in the library. While I do love the above mentioned books, they really are simple and the only benefit they have is that very young readers can experience them independently, but Amber Brown is so much more. It is an easy read, but very well written. It is a great story that imitates the depths of heftier chapter books. So, in conclusion, this book is an example of quality literature for children and should be read by all early readers.

[Haydn Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that I read as an elementary school student when transitioning from picture books to chapter books. I remember liking the book a lot, but could not remember the plot before reading it again. This is a great book and a message that, I believe, will appeal to children. It has many characters in it that all carry their own personalities very well. When reading this book I could imagine myself reading it to my students on their first day of second grade. It is also a fairly easy read with some hard words thrown into the mix to challenge students. The illustrations are amazing as well. It is definitely a book that I will keep around when I become a teacher.

[Amy Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get Read for Second Grade, Amber Brown would be a good read aloud for 1st graders. This book describes how nervous and excited Amber Brown is to begin second grade. After reading this book, the teacher can discuss with her students different fears and excitements they have for second grade. The teacher could also go into what the students should expect in second grade and help them have a better grasp of what to expect.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun story about the anticipation of a new grade and a new teacher. I chose this book as our oldest is about to finish first grade. We are moving and she'll be starting second grade in a new school with a new teacher, so I hope to allay any fears she may have. We have read several books in this series and are looking forward to reading more.

[Paul Farbman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book about how Amber makes it through the first day of second grade. She does a good job of getting over the fear of a new teacher and dealing with a bully. The text is fairly simple to read with many small illustrations on the pages. It would be a good book to use when transitioning from picture books to chapter books.

[Bailee Morillo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is great for first grade students. Going into a new grade is hard and sometimes scary. This is a book that can reassure a young first grader, and even give a teacher a lesson in how students feel their first day.

[Sarah Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

cute book!

[Rose]

Age: 5 and up

[Kristin Sprague · Rating 4 out of 5]

an end of the year book for first grade?

[Diana Fiddler]

Easy-To-Read Book

[Leyla · Rating 5 out of 5]

We enjoyed this story because it is relatable, my daughter liked the pictures too.

I think I will look for more Amber Brown books.

[Nikolax Aguilar Lopez]

yes

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

For Second Graders

I did not like it when Hannah said "Babies" when she saw the animal back packs. I liked it when Justin said unhappy burp ton to you.

[Ruby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second grade sounds really fun, and I want to be in it soon.

[Justinanderson]

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[Lexie]

This does a great job of going through the thought process some students have when they are starting the school year with a new teacher. I love the anticipatory set the teacher used to discuss her classroom expectations for her students. The teacher showed lots of enthusiasm for the year and excitement for everything the students would learn throughout the year. This would be a great book to keep in mind when creating a first-day of school lesson.