Einstein the Class Hamster Saves the Library

Einstein the Class Hamster

by Janet Tashjian, Jake Tashjian (Illustrator)

It's another day at Boerring Elementary: Einstein the class hamster, lover of fun facts, is getting ready for his game show when in walks Principal Decker with some bad news. Due to severe budget cuts, the school library will be closed for the rest of the year.

How is this possible? The library is the heart of the school! Einstein is determined to find a way to save the library. With the help of Marlon the turtle, his friend Ned, and Ms. Moreno's entire class, plans are put in motion!

Janet and Jake Tashjian are back with another winning story starring the lovable walking encyclopedia, Einstein the class hamster.

This title has Common Core connections.

192 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2015

About the author

Janet Tashjian is a middle-grade and young adult novelist who’s been writing books for children for fifteen years. Her first novel Tru Confessions was made into a critically acclaimed Disney TV movie starring Clara Bryant and Shia LaBeouf. The Gospel According to Larry is a cult favorite and Fault Line is taught in many middle and high schools. Her novels My Life As a Book, My Life As a Stuntboy, and My Life As a Cartoonist are all illustrated by her teenage son, Jake. Their collaboration continues with Einstein the Class Hamster coming in August.

Janet lives with her family in Los Angeles, enjoying her respite from the long Boston winters. When she isn’t writing, she’s rewriting.

Janet has been doing school visits for fifteen years; you can email her at spatulaproductions@mac.com for details.

We invite you to follow her on Twitter @JanetTashjian and like her books on Facebook:
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Plus, check out her YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/janettash...

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

When budget problems cause the school library to shut its doors, Einstein, the class hamster, is determined to get it opened again. After all, what's a school without a library? As it is, Boerring Elementary School has plenty of other challenges. After Einstein spends the weekend with Ms. Moreno, Ned's teacher, as well as his friend Marlon the turtle, and Twinkles the python, he comes up with a great idea. Apparently, Ms. Moreno is addicted to shopping shows, and has purchased a lot of stuff that she really doesn't need. Although it's absurd to think that a garage sale from her purchases could net enough money to save the library, readers will still be amused and impressed at Einstein's quick thinking. Funding for libraries is a bit more complicated than is described here, which might lead readers to misunderstand city and county budgets and priorities, but still, there is plenty to enjoy in the book, filled with pitch-perfect and amusing illustrations of the characters and scenes. I laughed quite a lot at the affection Mr. Decker, the principal, had for Twinkles, the snake with a very large appetite. Lest you think that the book is simply a laugh fest, there are informational sections that allow readers to learn interesting and somewhat random facts about digestion, the writing of "The Star-Spangled Banner," and inventions.

[Ro Menendez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Einstein the class hamster, is as smart as Humphrey, the hamster from the popular Humphrey Series, but Einstein can communicate with Ned, one of the kids in Ms. Moreno's class, bringing the hamster fantasy to a whole new level. Einstein is friends with Marlon, the class turtle, and they both must always be on the lookout for Twinkles, the principal's boa constrictor who is constantly trying to eat them. In this installment of class pet silliness, the school library has been shut down, and it is up to Ned, Einstein, Marlon, and Ms. Moreno's class to find a way to reopen the library. Einstein is a hamster that loves game shows that ask questions about general knowledge and dreams of being the host of a TV game show one day. To this end he collects facts he calls "Einstein's Tasty Tidbits" from what he learns in class and reads. Each chapter ends with a "Tasty Tidbits" section which provides factual information about something mentioned in the chapter. For example, someone mentions that ostriches bury their head in the sand, so at the end of the chapter this myth is busted and other information about this bird is offered. Jake Tashjian, the illustrator of the series, makes funny comic-book style illustrations that helps the reader remember some of these facts. At the end of the story, there is a list of 20 questions related to the "Tasty Tidbits" for readers to test their knowledge. There is also a funny "Bloopers and Deleted Scenes" section and some final funny Einstein commentary addressing the reader directly. This is an easy kid chapter book that is funny, offers nonfiction easy-to-read facts, and is well written.

[Qamar · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Einstein the Class Hamster Saves the Library" taught you about teamwork and the joy of learning. Working together with others helps solve big problems, and reading opens up a world of adventure and knowledge.

Remember, by collaborating with friends and exploring new books, you can discover and achieve so much. Let's keep learning and working as a team, Qamar!

Stay curious and cooperative, Qamar!

[Dawud · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite books. It’s amazing how the author came up with this idea! One of my favorite part of this book was Einstein’s reaction when he realized that principle Decker had decided to close the library.

[Paula · Rating 2 out of 5]

I should have finished this in a day, but I lost interest. I picked up this book, one in a series, because I wanted to see how Einstein saved the library, and why. Turns out he and his friends hold a garage sale, and then some other folks donate rugs and chairs and books. No new source of continuing revenue is either found or created, so I can only assume their librarian is a volunteer, and not actually a paid employee with benefits.
The main character in the book - Einstein the hamster - has lots of positive things to say about libraries, and the book has a quick quiz at the end, plus a list of internet resources so kids can learn more about some of the topics covered in the "Tasty Tidbits" boxes that are sprinkled throughout the book, all of which are admirable. I just didn't love the characters particularly. But the books are full of fun facts, and include lots of illustrations as is the fashion these days, so kids will probably enjoy them.

[Serenity · Rating 3 out of 5]

*I received a free review copy of this book from the publisher through my district library services*

I have the previous book in this series in my library, and it has been fairly popular. I plan to purchase the first book when funds allow, because I believe it will appeal to students, as well.

This is a cute book. The illustrations are a bit goofy and simplistic, but I can see the appeal to reluctant readers. The story is fun, with many interesting characters including class pets (namely our title hamster) that only one student can hear speak. In this book, the kids come up with some wacky plans to reopen their closed school library. Between chapters there are pages of trivia, and a quiz at the end of the book challenges readers to remember all the facts they read.

[Kelly Carey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my favorite Einstein book so far because he helps the class save the school library after it is closed by the principal.

[Reving · Rating 5 out of 5]

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