Written and Illustrated by Patricia Polacco
Another fabulous book by Patricia Polacco. She is truly amazing. This story speaks of a shy student who didn’t want to speak in front of class blossoming into a wonderful actress in her school play. It’s touching and funny and wonderfully written and illustrated. It didn’t make me cry like so many of her books do, but I did get a catch in my throat as I read it to some rapt first graders. They were spellbound even though it is a long story. Some of them didn’t understand the figure of speech “I was on fire,” but that was easily explained. The reading level is B.L. 2.0.
This is a beautiful tribute to Patricia’s teachers and to the author herself. She is such a beautiful writer in how she involves the reader to such an emotional level. Highly recommend this book for artists of all types.
Review by Cheryl Baker, Teacher, Mill Creek Elementary
Rating: ★★★★★ (5 stars)
Interest Level: Grades K-3
Trisha loves reading and writing, but speaking in front of an audience terrifies her. When she is called on in class to read her essay, she had to do it, but she could not speak a word! Her teacher, Mr. Tranchina, had someone he wanted Trisha to meet, Mr. Wayne, the drama teacher. Telling Trisha that maybe they could help her get past the problem of getting up and speaking in front of people she reluctantly joins the drama class. She was put in charge of painting the scenery for the school play. Almost everyone else was busy working on the play itself. She listens to the cast rehearse and before long she knew everyone’s part, but no one knew until Trisha helped prompt a cast member who had forgotten her lines. This is a wonderful story of a teacher who would not give up on helping his student overcome a fear and becoming Mr. Wayne’s true masterpiece.
Review by Debbie Singer, Thomas W. Bacchus Elementary Media Center
Rating: ★★★★★ (5 stars)
Interest Level: Grades 1-4
Mr. Wayne’s Masterpiece
Written and Illustrated by Patricia Polacco
Putnam
40 pages
Release Date: August 12, 2014
ISBN: 0399160957 (hardcover)
Not having read this, I’m wondering if it might pair well with A Snicker of Magic, as the girl in that book has similar talents with words but is hampered by serious social anxiety , fear of public speaking, etc.