What Mr. Mattero Did

by Priscilla Cummings

Book Overview

For days, three seventh-grade girls?Jenna, suzanne, and Claire? agonize over whether to say anything. Finally they summon the courage to speak up about their music teacher, Frederick Mattero. what happens next is chaos. parents are called. A teacher is accused and attacked. the gossip mill churns like mad. police arrive to question other students, beginning with Melody, Mr. Mattero?s daughter. Did Mr. Mattero do anything improper, or are the girls...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0142408565
• ISBN13: 9780142408568
• Release Date: May 2007
• Publisher: Puffin Books
• Length: 216 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.1" x 7.7"
• Age Range: 8 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 3 and higher

Customer Reviews

A 5 star book needs a 5 star review

I think this book is a great experience you will never forget. When I saw this book the title just drew me in. Once I started reading I could not stop. This book is about two girls, Clarie and Melody they each tell the story of their lives during this situation. You will be surprized that lying for attention won't get you any where but, in trouble. For ages ten and up. This is the perfect slice of drama pie you can enjoy. you can really imagine this, it is so vivid. I hope you enjoy this book. Happy reading!!! :-)

Counterpoint - Counterattack

Jenna, Clair and Suzanne are 3 7th-graders who accuse their music teacher Mr. Mattero of touching them improperly. They further accuse him of making inappropriate sexual remarks. They present their accusations to the school principal. An investigation ensues and Mr. Mattero is left jobless during the interim. This story is like a song with a counterpoint. The Matteros, consisting of daughter Song, a music major in college, son Cadence, 16 and daughter Melody, 13 try to pick up their lives after the accusation hits the fan. The Matteros are a musical family; their children have names that are musical terms and all play more than one instrument. Melody at 13 is the one most directly involved as she attends the same middle school as her father's accusers. Melody is aptly named. She is the counterpoint to the accusers in this story. She is a melody separate from the rest of her peer characters; she is a blend of all the independent harmonies into a unified harmony that is not compromised; she is a contrast to her accusers. She is the Melody on which this story rests. The 3 accusers who remind one of the Salem Witch Trials have an agenda. Jenna, the ringleader lives a life of illusion. Her parents are separated and her father, a volatile man actually beats Mr. Mattero up. Jenna is at no loss for sneaky behavior. She steals; lies and leads her father to out her mother, who is involved with another man. Suzanne, the younger of two sisters is withdrawn from the middle school and placed in a parochial school. Clair, the one who wrote the accusation is the oldest of 3 children, one of whom has autism. Melody and the accusers' lives collide; battle lines are drawn in the school and in the immediate community. Once the truth is brought to light, the book ends in a reverberating crescendo. An excellent look at possible sexual abuse; accusations and the aftermath of such accusations. A very serious examination of a very serious topic of how rumors can damage lives. This book also reminds me of Lillian Hellman's classic, THE CHILDREN'S HOUR which was made into a movie in 1961 and released in early 1962. This book also makes one think of the Salem Witch Trials. Lynn Hall's STICKS & STONES, which was published in 1972 explores a related theme in which a high school senior's reputation is forever changed when someone starts a rumor that he is gay. Although a poorly written story and dated, more progressive thinking has prevailed since its publication, TICKS & STONES is still a look at how rumors can ruin lives.

So you want to read a great book? Here's your chance!

Priscilla Cummings's novel What Mr. Mattero Did was a GREAT read! From the moment I opened the book I was completely engrossed in the story. The fact that this story has two different points of view makes it even more interesting. Both Claire and Melody are easy to relate to and wonderfully thought out. I thought, on a whole, it was well-written and extremely appealing to young readers around middle school age. This is definitely a book that I would recommend to all!! 5 stars..bravo!