Weekend with Chewy by Ariel Bernstein - ESSENTIAL

 Warren & Dragon: Weekend with Chewy by Ariel Bernstein, 89 pages. CHAPTER BOOK. Viking (Penguin), 2018. $15

Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: G.

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) — ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Second grader, Warren, has a pet dragon that others see as stuffed but Warren sees as real and talkative. Since Warren is already taking care of a pet dragon, he is concerned when his teacher asks him bring home the class hamster. Adventures ensue as he, his best friend neighbor, his eager little sister, and a concerned classmate try to take care of Chewy, the hamster, over the weekend.

This little book is delightful. The story has just the right level of humor for young readers reading independently and includes an illustration every three or four pages to help with context clues. The characters were all nice kids that make normal mistakes and learn from them. This book had positive lessons on responsibility, team work, friendship, and courage.

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher