The Recess Queen by Alexis O'Neill

The Recess Queen by Alexis O’Neill

Mean Jean, the Recess Queen is the boss of the schoolyard.  All of the kids fear Mean Jean...

           

“If kids ever crossed her,

            she’d push ‘em and smoosh ‘em

            lollapaloosh ‘em

            hammer ‘em, slammer ‘em,

            kitz and kajammer ‘em.”

...but new girl, Katie Sue takes no notice.  Against Mean Jean’s demands, Katie Sue swings, kicks, bounces, and jumps all before the Recess Queen.  When the Recess Queen goes to set the record straight, Katie Sue playfully asks Mean Jean to play jump rope with her, and her kindness, persistence, and acceptance of others pays off.

O’Neill writes using a catchy, rhyming prose, using a repeating pattern that young students love.  After reading this book aloud to the class, many of my students will happily whisper the repeating lines during independent reading or chorally read the story in partners again and again.  Perfect for K-2 students to start the school year, the story address typical recess issues in a light-hearted and memorable way.  A tried and true classic for primary grade teachers!!

-Janine Tong Marcoux