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Clements, Andrew.
THE LAST HOLIDAY CONCERT
New York : Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2004.
IL 3-6, RL 3.4
ISBN 0689845162

(2 booktalks)

Listen to the booktalk on mp3 mp3 file

Click on the book to read Amazon reviews


Booktalk #1

There is only so much chaos that even a 6th grader can take.  At least that is what Mr. Meinert believes.  But then again, a lot of things he used to believe have proven wrong.  He can't believe what he has just done.  He has turned over the planning for the holiday concert to his students!  Sue he probably has a right to feel bitter towards the school.  His job has been eliminated and he won't be back after the holidays.  But he can't believe he has done something so irresponsible as turn the kids loose.  But he may be surprised.  The kids have chosen Hart Evans to be in charge.  And Mr. Meinert may just learn something from Hart after all.

Booktalk #2

What would you do if you were the most popular boy in sixth grade and you hated your chorus class?  Would you shoot rubber bands at your teacher?  Would you think that you could get away with doing something like that because you could “charm the hairnets off the cafeteria ladies”?  Well, Hart Evans thinks he can.  But his teacher, Mr. Meinert, has no patience with Hart’s misbehavior and with the class’s lack of interest.  So he gives all the holiday concert planning and preparation over to the students, and since Hart is the most popular guy in the class, they elect him as their leader.  Ah, but does popularity equal leadership skills?  Will Hart be able to lead and still be respected and liked by his classmates?  Why is Mr. Meinert giving up his role of teacher to a sixth grade student and can he stay on the sidelines while the students try to figure out how to produce a holiday concert?   Read “The Last Holiday Concert” by Andrew Clements to find out.  (New Hampshire Great Stone Face committee, 2005-2006)

SUBJECTS:     Concerts -- Fiction.
                        Music -- Fiction.
                        Schools -- Fiction.
                        Leadership -- Fiction.
                        Cooperativeness -- Fiction.

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