The monster in the backpack

Gr 1-2-Annie's new backpack has pink and blue flowers, a zipper, and a monster inside. She is startled and frightened when she first discovers the creature, but summons the courage to look at it again and learns that it has eaten most of her lunch and doesn't like to be alone. She keeps the backpack at her desk, where the monster leaves chewed gum in her boot and shreds her homework to make confetti for an "ANNIE-IS-GREAT PARADE." This warmhearted gesture wins the girl's heart, and she refuses an offer to trade for a friend's sedate green backpack. The zany story is written in simple, clear language and is supported with bold, digital cartoon art. The text is a tad longer than usual easy-reader fare, but the school setting and the endearing orange monster make it an acceptable addition.-Laura Scott, Farmington Community Library, MI (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(Primary) Annie opens her new flowered backpack and finds a monster inside. Not a scary monster, but a wisecracking, annoying one who eats her lunch, puts bubblegum in her boots, and doesn't like to be left alone. Annie contemplates trading backpacks with her friend Kate, who sports a serviceable plain green one devoid of any exasperating residents. But when the monster makes confetti out of Annie's homework to create an Annie-Is-Great parade, Annie decides, ""My backpack is silly and messy and big trouble. But I love my backpack."" Episodes work like scenes in a television show, highlighting a specific incident before fading out and moving to a new one. This pattern allows a few issues, such as cleaning up the bubblegum, to be introduced for laughs but remain unresolved. Large capital letters signal the beginning of a new episode, helpfully alerting young readers to appropriate places to stop and start their reading. Uncluttered digital illustrations mirror the plot and writing style, outlining major events while creating distinguishing facial expressions. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.

Annie's new backpack came with pink and blue flowers. Annie's new backpack came with a zipper. Annie's new backpack came with a monster. Annie unzipped the backpack and peeked inside. "AAAAHHH!" yelled the monster. "EEEEEEKKKK!" yelled Annie. Annie dropped the backpack and jumped across the sidewalk. She waited one, two, three minutes. Slowly, slowly she tiptoed across the sidewalk and peeked inside again. "AAAAAHHHH!" yelled the monster. "Do you ever whisper?" asked Annie. "Do you ever knock?" asked the monster. "How can I knock on a backpack?" The monster scratched his head. "You're right," he said. "Next time, ring the doorbell." "What are you doing in my backpack?" Annie asked. "Eating a snack," said the monster, licking peanut butter off his paws. "That's not a snack," said Annie. "That's my sandwich!" She reached into the backpack and pulled out some brown squishy things. "I saved the crusts for you," said the monster. "Yuck," said Annie. "What else did you save for me?" "I'll see," said the monster. He dove into the backpack. He threw out an empty juice box, potato-chip crumbs, and a banana peel. Finally, he popped up with a little bag in his paw. "I don't like carrots," said the Monster. "They make me burp." Annie zipped the monster into the backpack. "I definitely don't need a burping monster." _______ THE MONSTER IN THE BACKPACK by Lisa Moser. Text copyright (c) 2006 by Lisa Moser. Published by Candlewick Press, Inc., Cambridge, MA. Excerpted from The Monster in the Backpack by Lisa Moser All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.