No Messin' with My Lesson

Katie Kazoo, Switcheroo #11

by Nancy E. Krulik, John & Wendy (Illustrator)

Katie is an ordinary third-grader--except for one extraordinary problem! She accidentally wished on a shooting star to be anyone but herself. Katie soon learns that wishes really do come true--and in the strangest way. In No Messin' with My Lesson, Katie's teacher, Mrs. Derkman, hopes to win the Teacher of the Year contest, but her chances do not look good when Katie turns into her teacher and cannot keep a class full of out-of-control third-graders in line.

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Fantasy, Chapter Books, Humor

80 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Nancy Krulik is the author of more than 100 books for children and young adults, including three New York Times bestsellers. She is best known, however, for being the author and creator of the Katie Kazoo Switcheroo book series, which has brought her to the attention of second, third, and fourth graders nationwide.

Nancy has also written extensively for teens and is well known as a biographer of Hollywood's hottest young stars. Her knowledge of the details of celebrities lives has made her a desired guest on several entertainment shows on the E! network as well as on Extra and Access Hollywood. She can be seen there talking about the secret lives of such celebs as Leonardo DiCaprio, Cameron Diaz, Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Hilary Duff, and Frankie Muniz. Nancy has also been a guest on radio broadcasts nationwide discussing the superstars she has researched over the years.

As the author of several teen and preteen advice books, including Grosset and Dunlap's Prom!: The Complete Guide to a Truly Spectacular Night, Nancy has been interviewed by several prominent magazines including Cosmo Girl, Teen, Teen People, Seventeen, and Teen Celebrity. She has also been the celebrity guest for three Teen People chat presentations. Nancy has recently begun to delve into the teen novel market, writing four romances for young adults, all of which will be published between 2004 and 2005.

Nancy currently lives in Manhattan with her husband, composer Daniel Burwasser, their two children, Amanda and Ian, and a crazed cockerspaniel named Pepper .

Reviews

[Kitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty good quick read. I think some of my students would definitely enjoy this series, and the grammar is better than in Junie B. Jones books.

[Nyah Prince · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a very good funny book.

[Tyler Replogle · Rating 2 out of 5]

My six year old says it’s a two because they were fighting a lot in the book. And if she was in it she wouldn’t have been fighting and then it would be 5 starts.

[Mellanie C · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read.

[Jackie Chevalier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katie turns into her teacher again, but this time it might affect her getting an award that her teachers been wanting really bad. Eventually she teaches her class a bit about kindness

[Kelsie Christensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my absolute favorite so far in the series! I think I read this one as a kid too. I loved that she turned into her teacher. Very clever addition to the series that I loved.

[Alexis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, this series does have some charm.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katie has already learned her lesson about wishing she was someone else. But still the wind shows up and turns her into someone or worse, something. The students are waiting on Mrs. Derkman to call them inside to begin class, but she’s late. Mrs. Derkman is never late. Finally, the principal comes to bring class 3A in to the school. When the students get to their class they find Mrs. Derkman working to set up a camera. She informs the class that she is a finalist in the Teacher of the Year contest and she will be recording the class so she can see what improvements to make. Of course most of the students know some improvements “Mrs. Jerkman” can make. Mrs. Derkman gets more and more stressed as the days go by. She isn’t sure when the judge will show up to observe her and the class is really acting up. Then when she thinks Katie has said something out of turn in class, she sends her to the principal. As soon as Katie is in the hall, the wind returns and she is transformed. This time it’s even worse, she is Mrs. Derkman! Then the principal and the judge for the contest walks in the class. Katie quickly loses control over the classroom. She also understand why Mrs. Derkman has to be so strict the class is out of control! She makes a quick decision, jumps on the desk, and has the class work together on how to be more considerate of each other’s feelings. The next day Mrs. Derkman is confused about what happened and is completely surprised when she wins an award, even if it’s not the Teacher of the Year award.

[Sydney · Rating 4 out of 5]

when katie turns into mrs derkman there's a contest for teacher of the year. the principal comes and observes her teaching. mrs. derkman says something bad about one of the kids. then the kids all start saying bad things about each other. mrs. derkman makes the kids write a card to whoever they said a mean thing to including herself. she wins teacher of the year.

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this seems a bit “fluffy,” it is a nice way to introduce magic into a child’s repertoire. Unlike many magic books, this is an innocuous story that has a moral at the end. I suggest this book to independent readers in second or third grade.

[Stacia Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first Katie Kazoo Switcheroo book, and I have to say, as an adult reader, I really enjoyed it! It covered all the bases for me...interesting characters, cool situation (swapping places with the teacher!) and suspense. I WANTED to know what happened when the judge entered the room.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

very cute books - Kirsi loves it

[vampire (dipita) grul]

katie is the teacher now. she does not noe wat to do noe!!!!

[Jill]

the magic wind comes again!

[Horace Mann Family Reading Challenge · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's awesome. B.M.

[Maryam · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was really great! I love these series!