Attack of the Chicken Nugget Man: A National Test Prep Adventure
Author: Kumar R. Sathy
Publisher: Student Solutions, Inc.
Date: May 16, 2011
About The Author
Kumar Sathy is an experienced educator and school administrator. He joined Teach for America after receiving an undergraduate degree in Biology and Psychology from Earlham College in Richmond, IN. Kumar taught in K-5 classrooms in Atlanta, GA, where he often used his own stories and unpublished children's novels for reading instruction. He received his teaching certification from Georgia State University and a Masters in School Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Test Prep Can Be Fun
This book is an entertaining and educational book driven by the Common Core State Standards developed by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices. The book focuses on second through fourth grade concepts and can be used as a remediation tool for fifth graders.
The story tells about the Chris Robb, a frustrated third-grader, who was trying to pass a standardized test. Chris had all kinds of crazy experiences in his chaotic classroom.
Chris thought the name of his teacher was the silliest name he had ever heard. Chris always seemed to forget how to say it right. One time, he called his teacher Ms. Bubblegum instead of Ms. Bubblebrain. Her name was not the only silly thing about Ms. Bubblebrain. She also shouted the names of really gross foods when she was mad or surprised. Ms. Bubblebrain would yell things like "hairy cricket biscuits" and "soggy salmon salami".
Chris was terrorized at school by the dreaded Chicken Nugget Man. This was a creature that ate children and caused all kinds of frightening experiences for the kids.
Chris learned that the children with the highest scores on their standardized tests would be in charge of the Anti-Chicken-Nugget Task Force. Chris decided it was time to turn his life around and try harder in school.
My Thoughts
I really like the concept of providing educators with a resource that makes learning fun. This book is absolutely loaded with questions and exercises that will reinforce both language and math educational standards.
I think kids will recognize and enjoy the humor and satire in this book. Here is an example of a clever play on words;
"Preston stole a kindergartener's yellow Captain Stinkypants Thermos and drank out of it."
Most kids will immediately remember the popular "Captain Underpants" books and smile at the similarity.
The only problem I have with the book is sometimes the humor was a bit extreme and OVER THE TOP for my taste. I know that I am not a child but I think the humor could be toned down to be more appropriate for classroom use. Here is one example:
"The room was silent. Ms. Bubblebrain stared at Chris. Her mouth opened so wide that a family of flying gorillas could have flown inside. Her jaw dropped to the floor. Then she said it, one word at a time. It was the longest, grossest food she had ever named. 'Holy peanut-butter-and-donkey-lasagna-covered, spinach pretzel-filled, beef-and-boxer-shorts donuts with brown sugar skeletons and banana-covered battery frosting! Chris, you actually remembered something!'"This book fills a need for kid-friendly test prep material. Mr. Sathy has produced a resource that can be used by both teachers and parents to improve their student's test scores.
My Rating: 4 Stars Out Of 5
FYI ~ I received a complimentary digital copy of this book to read and review from NetGalley.
I would love for you to FOLLOW this blog. You may use Google Friend Connect or the Networked Blog widget to show your support and encouragement.
Please share your thoughts in the Comments Section below.
