Bongo is heading out for his first day at a new school. For most students, this is a big deal, but for Bongo it’s incredibly challenging. You see, he is afraid of literally everything. There is no situation that doesn’t put poor Bongo into a state of pure panic. Heading in for his first day, Bongo meets super-confident and extroverted Mo. As Bongo and Mo begin their day, Bongo points out Maurice, a mouse from Bongo’s old school. He is quick to fill Mo in on the many shenanigans for which Maurice has been responsible. It looks like this new school has come with old problems for Bongo.

Huckleberry Academy: The School of Imagination, Volume I The Majestic Feather, by J.L. Willis, is a children’s chapter book featuring Bongo the monkey as the shy and anxiety-ridden main character. His fears are many and his day-to-day battle will resonate with many a young reader. As a teacher, I really like the build up to the first day of school, especially the first day in a new school. This is definitely something many children face, and having a book like Willis’s to quell fears is certainly an asset.

One of the most appealing aspects of Willis’s storyline is the fantasy surrounding the magic feather. Readers in grades 2-4 will immediately find themselves swept up into the adventure when that prankster Maurice steals the feather and chaos ensues. Seeing the class clown brought down a notch is another satisfying plot point for young readers.

It is always wonderful to be able to offer books to young readers high-interest books that teach valuable lessons. That is exactly what J.L. Willis is handing readers with Volume I of Huckleberry Academy. I highly recommend Willis’s work to anyone looking to provide a new and engaging series to elementary students.

Pages: 60 | ASIN : B0C5QSRPMW