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The pacing of the first-person narration coupled with Spiegel's (Rosa's Room) winsome watercolors keeps this lively tale on track. Comedic spot illustrations contrast Haley's fond remembrances of kindergarten with her disgruntled feelings about first grade. With the help of an understanding Ms. Gray, Haley soon starts to see the up side of being a first-grader. Rodman (My Best Friend) handles the turmoil of school transitions with realism and humor. A good jumping-off book for discussions about differences and change. -Publishers Weekly
The scratchy, fluid, full-color watercolor-and-ink illustrations feature plenty of white space. Perfect as a read-aloud, this book is a worthy successor to Miriam Cohen's When Will I Read? (Dell, 1996). Pair it with Kevin Henkes's Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse (HarperCollins, 1996) for a spot-on depiction of teachers helping kids through rough patches.-
-School Library Journal
Rodman's witty take on the harsh realities of first grade, as perceived by those in the trenches, will tickle readers' funny bones... Spiegel's ink-and-watercolor, cartoon-style illustrations perfectly capture the quirky independence of young Haley, who refuses to go quietly into first grade. For young readers approaching this or any other significant transition with trepidation, Rodman's humorous tale serves as a gentle search for the silver lining. -Kirkus Reviews
