Reviews

"Polly Peterson is dealing with a new school year, a demanding, teething baby brother and a science project that lets everyone in the class, even the nasty new boy, know that she has not lost any baby teeth yet. Luckily she has two loyal friends, a loose tooth and understanding parents and teacher. However, when the tooth fairy forgets to come, Polly makes a hard situation worse by lying about it on the playground. The third-person limited narration puts readers into Polly's head as she immediately realizes saying the tooth fairy left her picture was a bad idea: "Polly's words made her mouth feel all gummy...Why didn't she just say a million dollars? That would be easier to get than a picture of the tooth fairy." Mixed in with the humor are very real issues middle-grade readers will recognize, of bullying and the constant need to measure up. The realization that the bully has issues of his own will reassure readers even as it helps Polly achieve a new maturity. Weber's fresh pencil illustrations add credibility to this school story. (Fiction. 6-8)"
-Kirkus

"A debut chapter book from a hilarious new voice, Third Grade Baby is the story of the only girl in third grade who hasn’t lost a tooth. It’s a great choice for fans of Clementine, Judy Moody, or Junie B. Jones. Grades 2–4."
-Instructor Magazine

Excerpt

Polly Peterson tightened her ponytail and skipped alongside her mother on the sidewalk in front of Barker Elementary. Then she stopped. School hadn't even started and already there was a problem. Everywhere Polly looked, students were running, climbing, and waiting for the bell to ring, but she didn't see any parents. Since third graders used the upper elementary playground, Polly guessed they were supposed to walk to school by themselves. Uh-oh.

Polly turned to her mom, who was pushing Max, Polly's baby brother, in a stroller. Max chewed on his fingers, and a big glob of drool dripped from his mouth. Eew!

"We can say goodbye here, Mom," Polly said.

Polly's mom looked at the school and then back at Polly, as if she wasn't sure. Then she asked, "You'll be okay?"

Polly nodded. "I'll be fine." Then she wiggled her loose tooth. It was on the bottom, right in front.

The bell rang, and the third graders lined up. Oliver Wu and Amelia Sanchez, Polly's two best friends, stood at the front of the line. Their parents were already on their way to work.

Polly hoped no one could see that her mom had walked her to school.

Polly's mom leaned down. "Can I at least have a hug?"

Polly guessed a hug would be okay. She squeezed her mom goodbye.

Then Polly's mom gave her a big kiss on the cheek. "Oops!" she said when she stood up. I got lipstick on you. Just a second."

Polly's mom reached into Max's diaper bag and pulled out a baby wipe. A baby wipe! She grabbed Polly's chin. "Hold still."

Polly squirmed, but she couldn't escape. Her mom cleaned her cheek with the wipe. Disgusting! Polly had thought having a baby brother would make her parents treat her like a bigger kid, not like a toddler. Polly hoped no one had seen! She looked back at the playground. A tall, blond boy was staring at her, a fifth grader probably. Polly bet he thought she was a baby because her mom was wiping her face.