“I’m Keena, and I am the MOST important person in this journal, because it is MY journal.” (Melissa Thomson)
So begins this amusing and enjoyable first book in the Keena Ford series by Melissa Thomson! Keena lives in Washington D.C. along with her mother and brother. Her mother and father are divorced but her father is very much in the picture. Keena is a vivacious little girl who somehow or other unintentionally manages to get herself in the middle of some monkey business. She doesn’t really mean to – it was a “failure to communicate” between herself and her second grade teacher, Ms. Campbell when she accidently writes her birthday as 9/2 instead of 2/9. Keena decides to keep mum about her error when she discovers Ms. Campbell will be bringing a chocolate cake for her birthday treat! Keena comes to the decision not to correct the error! “Oh what a tangled web we weave once we practice to deceive.” Keena should have heeded this warning but like most children it is truly unintentional.
I thought this story taught an excellent lesson as to the repercussions to children when they fail to tell the truth. The message it delivers is: it’s best to always be truthful. The book also touches on the subjects of jealousy and forgiveness. A wonderful way to discuss these ideas would be to read this together with your child. This series is told in a way children can understand – from the point of view of second-grader, Keena Ford.
Melissa Thomson definitely has a winning series on her hands! What a remarkable beginning chapter book for kids! Keena Ford and the Second-Grade Mix-Up is nominated for the 2011 Illinois Monarch Award – quite an honor! There are two other books in the series so far, Keena Ford and the Field Trip Mix-Up AND Keena Ford and the Secret Journal Mix-up. All three of these titles are always checked out of my K-4 Library with many holds placed on all of them! Kids who have enjoyed the Junie B. Jones and the Clementine books will find Keena is another young mischievous girl to add to their reading list.
Have I enticed you to pick this book up?! I hope so. I’m quite certain you will love the adventures of Keena Ford! I’ll be giving away an autographed copy of Keena Ford and the Second-Grade Mix-Up to one of my lucky readers! To enter to be the ONE lucky winner, leave a comment as to who was your favorite fictional girl character when you were growing up. I’ll announce the person who will be receiving the giveaway next Friday, December 10th. It would definitely make a fabulous Christmas stocking stuffer for a young child!
Good Luck!
Marianslibrary's Blog 
Kathy,
2 favorites come to mind. No children, no pets…it was the first book my mother purchased for me from the “Weekly Reader Children’s Book Club”…I actually have the copy – someplace on a book shelf. I just remember the family moved to Florida – and it was so hot – they attempted frying eggs on the sidewalk…….. Any Bobbsey Twins books…I loved the antics!
Hi Sybil!
I love to read what people remember from their childhood when it comes to books. It’s wonderful that you have a copy of your favorite book!
Thanks for entering the book give away contest!
Good Luck!
Kathy
Hi Sybil!
Congratulations! Your name was drawn to receive the autographed copy of Keena Ford and the Second Grade Mix-Up!!
I’ll be getting it to you soon.
Best,
Kathy
Anne Shirley of Anne of Green Gables – I loved her spunk – and still do.
Hi Sarah,
Ahhh! So you’re a “kindred spirit” as well – me too! Thank you for sharing your favorite character for your chance to win a copy of Keena Ford.
Best,
Kathy
I loved Ramona growing up! I read all of Beverly Cleary’s books but Ramona was super funny! The egg on her head…oh my…LOL!
Hi Jalynn!
Thank you for sharing your favorite character with me and other readers at my blog! Our young lives wouldn’t have been complete without the antics and adventures of Ramona Quimby!
Good luck!
Kathy
The one girl I always think of as a favorite character is Anne Shirley! I was no orphan, but I always identified with the scrapes and mix ups she got herself into. I may have had a few of my own at her age too! I always think of us as kindred spirits, even now that I’m grown up!
Hi Amy!
Another “kindred spirit!” There are so many of us everywhere! Thank you for sharing your thoughts about Anne!
Good luck!
Kathy
We were just looking for a book for Ava that touches on telling the truth, etc. and we were about to go blindly to the bookstore. This one sounds really cute and also really helpful 🙂
Glad you liked it Rebecca! Yes, as I read it I thought what an excellent book to teach the lesson of telling the truth and what happens when you don’t.
Best,
Kathy
I loved Nancy Drew! Thought it sounded so exciting to solve all those mysteries. I liked the Bobbsey Twins as well, it reminded me of my brothers and sister- even though we weren’t twins.
Love the sound of this new book! I’ll definitely add it to my library at school…….after Christmas when I have money again.
Hi Jane!
Thanks for stopping by my book blog! I would have to agree with you on Nancy Drew! I have quite a collection of the old original copies at home.
Yes, it’s really quite a an excellent series for younger readers.
Good luck!
Kathy