The Recess Queen is a superb realistic fiction choice for young readers. The illustrations in the book are vibrant and exciting for both children and adult readers, especially the way emotion is portrayed in Mean Jean's face and the classmates' facial expressions throughout the story. It is very easy to depict the emotions and overall tone of the characters because of this, which makes it ideal for listeners to relate and make connections throughout the story. Mean Jean was the "recess queen" who always seemed to get her way because of her bully like tenancies. She got in other kids' faces, pushed them, yelled at them, and made everyone afraid of her so she could get what she wanted, when she wanted. No one wanted to get in her way. The turning point of the story was when a new girl named Katie Sue, arrived in Mean Jean's class. Katie Sue demonstrated she was not afraid of Mean Jean by talking back to her, confronting her, and playing with all the things Katie Sue wanted to play with. That really challenged Mean Jean, because nobody dared confronting her the way Katie Sue did. Mean Jean was very surprised and taken back at Katie Sue because now, not only did she refuse to give in to her ways, but she also stated that she wanted Mean Jean to play with her. Mean jean was so happy that someone wanted to play with her, so she ended up playing with Katie Sue and was no longer a bully with kids at recess. She story had a very good overall message of the power of inclusion and assertiveness. ( )

I read this long ago and it left little impression. I rejected it as a read-aloud for primary kids. I recall finding it utterly formulaic and I disliked the illustrations as well. ( )

This is a great book to teaching children how to handle and deal with bullies. It shows children that sometimes they just need a friend or someone to be there for them. This is a great book to teach children about the power of friendships and being nice to everybody. ( )

Mean Jean took over recess and was a bully. A new kid comes to town, Katie Sue, who begins to take over recess and begins doing things first, which Jean was not okay with, she was supposed to do everything first. Katie Sue helps show how to handle bullies and actually becomes friends with Jean by the end.

Mean Jean was the playground bully. She became aggressive with other kids if they played with any of the playground equipment before she did. Katie Sue, a new student, was unaware of Mean Jean’s rules. She played freely with whatever she wanted. Mean Jean confronted her, but Katie Sue refused to be bullied. Instead of being mean to Mean Jean Katie, Sue invited her to jump rope.
Bullying happens every day in schools, especially on the playground. I like that Katie Sue didn’t let Mean Jean’s attitude affect how she treated her. She simple responded with kindness, something Mean Jean was not used too. I think all children should be introduced to this book to help understand bullying and was to approach it. ( )