Although this is a cute story, many of the characters in it are surprisingly mean. I have children the age of the characters in the book and have not heard them talk about children being this relentlessly mean at school, especially during class. The younger children also worry that the older children who are coming to see the talent show will boo them--and again this is in their class setting not in the playground or at home playing.

This book could be used in relation to a unit on problem solving or issues with friends. If a third-grade class was focusing on friendship and handling problems with friends, this would be a good book because the two main boys experience a falling out when the new boy arrives. There is some hurtful behavior when Gordie's friend choosing the new boy over him and even cancels plans. The book could lead to good discussions about how to make new friends while still including old friends, and also good discussion about classroom behavior. Perhaps the book to lead to the creation (or revision) of some class rules on civility. These could be made with the children's input and hung up in the room.