Class Clown Fish (Squidding Around #2)

by Kevin Sherry

Overview

This wonderfully silly young graphic novel from Graphix Chapters about fin-tastic friends is perfect for fans of The Bad Guys and Narwhal and Jelly!

Get drawn into reading with Graphix Chapters!

Graphix Chapters are ideal books for beginning and newly independent readers aged 6-8. With approachable page counts, easy-to-follow paneling, and artwork that supports text comprehension, these engaging stories with unforgettable characters help children become lifelong readers.

When a silly prank lands Squizzard in deep trouble, he comes down with a case of the barnacle blues. Instead of going to the Coral Carnival with his friends, he'll have to do the swim-possible and turn Seaweed Elementary's junk-filled basement into an activity room for after-school clubs. But there just may be hidden treasures to discover if Squizzard can stop all the funny business long enough to find them...

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781338636710
Publisher:	Scholastic, Inc.
Publication date:	05/18/2021
Series:	Squidding Around , #2
Pages:	96
Sales rank:	813,735
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)
Age Range:	6 - 8 Years

About the Author

Kevin Sherry is the author and illustrator of many children's books, most notably The Yeti Files series and I'm the Biggest Thing in the Ocean, which received starred reviews and won an original artwork award from the Society of Illustrators. He's a man of many interests: a chef, an avid cyclist and screen-printer, and a performer of hilarious puppet shows for kids and adults. Kevin lives in Baltimore, Maryland.

Editorial Reviews

Praise forMeet the Bigfeet (The Yeti Files #1):"A fast and funny graphic-prose tale full of labeled pictures and comic-style panels. Those just starting chapter books... [will] enjoy the big friendly monsters and immediately ask for the next tale." — Kirkus ReviewsPraise forI'm the Biggest Thing in the Ocean:* "Waves of exuberance flow out of this crowd-pleaser, in which a squid proudly points out how much bigger it is than any shrimp, clam, octopus or fish in the neighborhood." — Kirkus Reviews, starred review* "Sherry renders his hero and habitat in bright colors and bold, simple shapes that will be surefire eye magnets for preschoolers." — Publishers Weekly, starred review

From the Publisher

05/01/2021

Gr 2–5—School is back in session at Seaweed Elementary in this second installment of the series. Squizzard, a sprightly Humboldt squid, is up to his old tricks and is sent to Principal Kraken's office after a raucous classroom prank. Squizzard is assigned a detention shift every day after school, cleaning out the basement for upcoming club fair meetings. What? Every day? He'll miss the school's Coral Carnival! The next day, Toothy, a great white shark in blue jeans, tells Squizzard all about the fun he is missing out on. Squizzard is jealous, but during detention he finds an old school newsletter that was printed on an ancient copy machine. This discovery gives the budding comic artist ideas that develop into a new after-school opportunity. A variety of graphic novel techniques will keep new readers engaged with this screwball sea story. Sherry's splash pages, multiple-panel sequences, captions, and onomatopoeic words blend well for clear story and panel flow. The palette is bold; story panels are depicted in flat colors with textured backgrounds, and panels containing facts about marine animal facts are rendered with color shadowing for more realistic effects. At the end of the book, a shoal of sea creatures show kids how to create their own newsletter or book. VERDICT A fin-tastic graphic reader with plenty of laughs, along with solid insights into feelings, friends, and personal initiative.—Rita Christensen, Orem, UT

School Library Journal

2021-03-17
Deep under the sea, a tempestuous squid must contend with his temper.

Following the events of Fish Feud (2020), Squizzard Silvershell, a hotheaded, tomato-red squid, is mad. After submitting his comics to a magazine contest, he learns he has lost, and his anger is festering. Deciding mischief will cheer him up, he pulls a prank on his teacher, Mr. Cuker. He is immediately sent to Principal Kraken and put in detention for a week, which causes him to miss the Coral Carnival. In detention, he and sea urchin Annie, a fellow student under punishment, help crossing guard Mr. Jaleel, an eel, clean the basement. Squizzard eventually comes to understand why his behavior was inappropriate, coming to a simply reasoned contrition. Sherry’s oceanic graphic offering is high on pep and alluring, vibrantly colored art, threading information about marine life throughout the narrative. This second volume in the series loses a bit of momentum, though; those who enjoyed Squizzard’s previous benign naughtiness may find his rapid repentance a bit hurried. Multiple plot threads are easy enough to follow but seem a bit cramped. Sherry’s illustrations are bright and expressive, with more flashy colors than a well-stocked aquarium carrying the short chapters; economically worded panels keep the pages moving along swimmingly. Quibbles aside, with its buoyant pacing and intriguing facts, it offers much to appreciate. Further facts on coral and instructions on making a newsletter follow the story.

A fun, quick dip. (Graphic fantasy. 7-10)

Kirkus Reviews