The Magic of Myrna C. Waxweather

by Sandra Dutton

Book Overview

Disliked by the other fifth graders because she is considered a model pupil and the teacher's pet, Bertha gets advice from her fairy godmother and launches a campaign of unorthodox behavior. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0689312733
• ISBN13: 9780689312731
• Release Date: April 1987
• Publisher: Atheneum Books
• Length: 77 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Age Range: 7 to 10 years
• Grade Range: Grades 2 to 5

Customer Reviews

Kirkus Review March 1, 1987

Bertha Zuchelli has two problems--changing her image as teacher's pet and making friends with the other fifth graders in her new school, and the school's repressive policies, personified by Principal VanCrockett. Thanks to the fairy godmother who materializes and gives her outlandish props (such as a feather boa) as well as some good advice, she's able to solve both problems by her own perseverance and imagination--if these be magic, there's magic in the story. There are rules about everything at the McKechnie School. Poems the children write must rhyme, because "A poem that does not rhyme . . . is out of control." When Bertha wears the boa, a rule is made against boas. But Bertha becomes the children's hero when she is appointed monitor of the new "clean plate policy," beginning on the day that the menu consists of squid cakes, peas in mustard sauce, deviled fruit cup and hot milk. First she outwits the principal, who is prepared to gloat over disgraced pupils in dunce caps, by loudly describing the caps as badges of honor. Her triumph is complete when a new superintendent arrives, forces Miss VanCrockett to eat the lunch, and declares a more permissive policy henceforth. Broad satire, this, but told with verve, good humor, and some basic truths in such bits as ". . .you've been behaving . . . as if you had a mind of your own." "But I do," said Bertha. Kids should chuckle over Bertha's campaign and rejoice in its success.