Dan Gutman’s book, Miss Nichol Is in a Pickle, is a hilarious look at the adventures of the students at Ella Mentry School as they plant and maintain a vegetable garden under the direction of zany Miss Nichol. Written for kids ages 6 – 10 in grades 1-5, this chapter book is in Gutman’s My Weird School series that especially appeals to reluctant readers. Brimming with childish exaggerations, corny jokes and youthful perspectives, the book explores the importance of relationships, problem-solving, and perseverance.
The story begins when the joke-telling principal, Mrs. Stoker, tells the students that the school needs a vegetable garden and introduces the tractor-driving Miss Nichol as the leader of the effort. The kids know nothing about gardening and want to plant hot dogs, Cheerios, and other junk food but are led forward by the intrepid Miss Nichol. The children run into many failures in their attempt to grow vegetables and in the end face the greatest challenge of all when Miss Nichol is trapped in a ginormous cucumber (yes, ginormous really is a word).
Gutman tells the story from the kid’s point of view and includes the oddball ideas that are likely to float through the minds of young readers. The tone is lighhearted, the dialogue is witty, and the situations are absurd but the characters are relatable, the plot is fast-paced, and friendship, teamwork, and tenacity are highligthed. The result is a book that is enjoyable and encourages an appreciation of books and reading for fun.
To buy Miss Nichol Is in a Pickle from Amazon.com click here.