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Lovely book. Not much happens for most of it, but that changes with a bang up ending! Not my favorite of Clements' books, but nice. ( )

A super quick read with a great message about staying true to yourself and not letting bullies change you. Highly recommended. ( )

Everyone wants to be good at something; so it's easy to see how it may be hard for children to see themselves clearly. They're all growing, learning, and have yet to realize their full potential. Such is the case with the main character, Jordan Johnston, who feel average in every way. Throughout this novel she is learning to find something that makes her stand out so that she can be remembered in some special way by her peers before they all graduate from the 6th grade. Although Jordan thinks that she is only good at a couple of things, the reader and other characters around Jordan point out to her several different positive characteristics she embodies that make her who she is.

Her Teachers think she Is kind because she never talks badly about anyone and always has a smile on her face. Her dad thinks she's hardworking because she always tries her best in school ( despite being a "C" student), and her friends think she is mature for how she handles herself with a school bully by choosing to take the high road. Not only that, but the reader can also sense a higher level of maturity/wisdom in Jordan during the climax of the story when she saves everyone during the intense storm by staying calm and quickly coming up with a solid plan. Compared to the beginning of the year, Jordan would've never done this because she was so unsure of herself. But clearly by the end of the year Jordan had grown so much in confidence.There are so many wonderful thing about this kind and wise young girl, so it was nice to see her immense growth as a character as she learns to accept herself for the way she is. ( )