School Library Journal
Gr 1-3
In this installment, Roscoe decides that he'd really like to take tap because he loves the sounds that his friend Emma's shoes make when she dances. Some of the boys warn him that tap dancing is for girls, but Roscoe's teacher shows the class a video of a famous male tap dancer, and so he is undeterred. He enjoys his first lesson, but notices that he is indeed the only boy in the class and begins to feel uncertain. Then Emma asks him to join her in the talent show. To get out of it, he fakes a leg injury. In the end, though, he learns another rule of life. The sentence structure in this early chapter book is simple, and the vocabulary has few challenging words. The print is large and set off with lots of white space. Black-and-white drawings, some full page, provide graphic support. Although the story is predictable, inexperienced chapter book readers will find it suspenseful and funny. This book could be paired with Tomie dePaola's Here We All Are (Putnam, 2000), in which the author takes tap dancing lessons and becomes quite the performer. Purchase where beginning chapter books are needed.-Elaine Lesh Morgan, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR
From the Publisher
Praise for the ROSCOE RILEY series: “Applegate perfectly captures the voice of kids in this fast-paced, funny title. Children will love the short chapters, kid ingenuity, and comical illustrations.” — School Library Journal
“Applegate’s writing is strong and lively, and the short sentences, funny situations, and frequent appearance of pictures will make this series an easy sell to novice readers. Adult readers-aloud will also appreciate the understated humor of Roscoe’s narrative and nod in recognition at the goings-on.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“Roscoe is an appealing, lively kid whose story is both entertaining and thought-provoking, and Biggs’expressive pencil drawings add to the humor” — ALA Booklist
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Applegate’s writing is strong and lively, and the short sentences, funny situations, and frequent appearance of pictures will make this series an easy sell to novice readers. Adult readers-aloud will also appreciate the understated humor of Roscoe’s narrative and nod in recognition at the goings-on.
ALA Booklist
Roscoe is an appealing, lively kid whose story is both entertaining and thought-provoking, and Biggs’expressive pencil drawings add to the humor
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Applegate’s writing is strong and lively, and the short sentences, funny situations, and frequent appearance of pictures will make this series an easy sell to novice readers. Adult readers-aloud will also appreciate the understated humor of Roscoe’s narrative and nod in recognition at the goings-on.
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Applegate’s writing is strong and lively, and the short sentences, funny situations, and frequent appearance of pictures will make this series an easy sell to novice readers. Adult readers-aloud will also appreciate the understated humor of Roscoe’s narrative and nod in recognition at the goings-on.
