The New Kid Has Fleas

by Ame Dyckman (Author) Eda Kaban (Illustrator)

The New Kid Has Fleas
Reading Level: K − 1st Grade
The New Kid Has Fleas is a hilarious picture book about a new kid in school who appears to have been raised by wolves. There's a new kid in class, and they're . . . different. They dress different. Talk different. Eat different. And the word on the playground is: they have fleas. But, one of their classmates wonders, what if we got to know the new kid? Visited their home (wolves' den)? Met their parents (wolves)? Shared a snack (squirrels)? Maybe then the new kid wouldn't be so bad after all. School's in session for a howlingly fun "lesson" in preconceptions, differences, rumors, karma, and not just being the new kid, but befriending them.
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Publishers Weekly

Like other classmates, this picture book's narrator, a white child with brown hair, doesn't go out of the way to welcome the New Kid, a red-haired girl who eschews shoes, casts a canine shadow, and howls during music class. Soon, the class mean girl declares that the New Kid has fleas. "Nobody really talks to the New Kid. But she doesn't care," reads the text as the student sits alone during recess. "Well, I don't think she does." When the narrator and the New Kid are thrown together as science project buddies, it becomes clear that the latter is literally being raised by wolves. But while her family may seem different (their study break snack is roasted squirrel, freshly caught), they're also warm and welcoming, and the New Kid proves a smart, funny partner without "a single flea." Kaban's digitally painted, closely observed cartoons of kid life and Dyckman's deadpan narration combine to deftly address important issues of prejudice and giving the unfamiliar a chance. Ages 3-6. (June)

Copyright 2021 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

Vibrant, digital illustrations capture the tone and wit of the narrative. A lively read-aloud choice. -Carolyn Phelan Booklist

A whimsical readaloud about unexpected friendship. -The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Kaban's digitally painted, closely observed cartoons of kid life and Dyckman's deadpan narration combine to deftly address important issues of prejudice and giving the unfamiliar a chance. -Publisher's Weekly


Ame Dyckman
Ame Dyckman is the award-winning author of You Don't Want a Dragon!, That's Life!, Dandy, Read the Book, Lemmings!, You Don't Want a Unicorn!, Horrible Bear!, the New York Times Bestselling Wolfie the Bunny, and more. You can visit Ame on Twitter (@AmeDyckman).

Jenn Harney lives near Cleveland, Ohio, with her family, a corgi named Steve, and the ghost of the once oldest living now extinct goldfish in North America. Two of her previous books include Underwear! and Swim Swim Sink. Jenn invites you to visit her Twitter @jennharknee.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781250245243
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Roaring Brook Press
Publication date
June 15, 2021
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV039060 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Friendship
JUV019000 - Juvenile Fiction | Humorous Stories
JUV039230 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Bullying
Library of Congress categories
Schools
Individuality
Humorous fiction
Science projects

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