The Brand New Kid (ISBN 0385500300)

Amazon.com Review:
On Ellie and Carrie's first day of second grade there's a brand new kid in the class. But when the teacher asks her students to welcome the ultrablond, blue-eyed, pink-lipped, loud-voiced, accent-sporting Lazlo S. Gasky to Brookhaven School, they all mock him instead: "Too different and strange to fit in they all feared." Lazlo grows unhappier by the minute, as he is ostracized and taunted by his classmates. One day, however, when Ellie sees his sad-looking mother walking forlornly toward her car ("Her son's having trouble, she might pull him out, / this school may be wrong for him, she's full of doubt"), things begin to look up for Lazlo. At that moment Ellie begins to wonder what it must be like to be a new kid, feeling so "different and strange," and she decides to take steps to get to know him, even at the risk of facing her friends' ridicule. ("At school the next day the kids stopped her and said, / 'You were walking with Lazlo, are you sick in the head?' / Ellie paused and replied, 'Now I know him, you see, / Lazlo isn't that different from you and from me.'" NBC News' Today coanchor Katie Couric's rhyming book provides a healthy approach to treating people who may be perceived as different, and works well as a springboard to discussion. Though the suddenness of Ellie's turnaround in attitude seems a bit unnatural and the rhymes are often forced ("They arrived at his door greeted by his French poodle / and Mrs. Gasky was there with a plate of warm strudel!"), the message of The Brand New Kid will certainly not be lost on children. As Couric writes in her introduction, "It sometimes takes courage, but I hope this story will inspire all of us to reach out and make someone feel a little less scared and a little less lonely." Hear, hear. Caldecott Honor artist Marjorie Priceman's watercolor spreads are positively delightful, washing warmly over the pages in a free, buoyant style. (Ages 4 to 8) --Emilie Coulter

badly rhymed+badly written+famous author=published!:
This is an example of what happens when good people write bad books. I have nothing against Katie Couric herself, and I realize that she had good intentions, but this book is so badly written, the rhymes are so forced, and the moral so obvious that it just overrides any intent she may have had. Books should be published based on the merit of the writing, not on the celebrity of the author. At best, it is a sophomoric effort (and I'm being kind). There are better books for kids about acceptance/tolerance out there. Save your money - it is a waste of paper.

Lumbering:
I am trying to remember why Couric went into the kids' book business. Wasn't the day job working out Katie? As I picked up the book from a display of "back to school" books it was not displeasing to look at. Although the illustrations are working hard, they cannot rescue this book. The storyline was very predictable, heavy handed and pedantic. The rhyming verse just saws away and lumbers along in a forced and sing-song fashion. "His name is a different one, Lazlo S. Gasky. He's new to our school and the town of Delasky." Wow, how about that. The kid's last name happens to rhyme with the name of the town. Golly. To go on any further would be cruel. Couric and other lesser lights are under the impression that a tale must be moralistic in order to appeal or impress children. I suppose it does impress unsuspecting parents and grandparents who will misguidedly but with the best of intentions, purchase this book. If you are looking for a REALLY good book with this theme, go get "Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon" by Patty Lovell with divine illustrations by David Catrow.

Another Celebrity Book:
Katie Couric is a journalist, not a children's book writer. Writing children's books is a lot harder than most people think. Most publishers shy away from books that rhyme, and for good reason. Also, as adults, WE like kids to learn good morals, but children needn't be (figuratively speaking) bopped over the head with it, as in this book.

TRUE:
A story about a boy, Lazlo, who is new in school. The kids in his class make fun of him. I think we can all relate to Lazlo in all different ways. People have made fun of you, and you have also made fun of other people. But in Lazlo's case, the students in his class mocked him constantly, and that can really hurt. But there is always one person at least who has a good heart, and in this case, it is Ellie. Ellie is the only one who gives Lazlo a chance, and finds out that he really is a great guy. This story teaches you that looks can be decieving. Don't judge someone by what they look like, they could be a really great person deep down. Kids can be really mean to a person, and people are afraid to say anything. Don't be.

Helpful International School Resource:
Literary critiques aside, this book is one I highly recommend to teachers and parents who are looking for help with preparing kids for a new student. Teachers in international schools or deal with "new students" all the time. This is a great book to read before the new student arrives and as a "reminder" after. As for the comment about the teacher - for some insulting; for others reflective material.