Close Encounters of the 3rd Grade Kind: Book Review and Giveaway

Typically I only review green products or green companies but I had to make an exception this one time and I am glad I did!

You see, my son is in the 3rd grade so when I saw the title of this book I knew that I had to read it.

Just spending a few hours on a field trip with a group of grade schoolers leaves you with stories enough so can you only imagine how many stories a 20+ year veteran teacher would have!?!

Before I share my personal opinion of the book let me share with you the official press info:

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD GRADE KIND
By Phillip Done

A twenty-year veteran of the classroom, elementary school teacher Phillip Done takes readers through a lively and hilarious year in the classroom. Starting with the relative calm before the storm of buying school supplies and posting class lists, he shares the distinct personalities of grades K-4, what he learned from two professional trick or treating 8-year-old boys, the art of learning cursive and letter-writing, how kindergartners try to trap leprechauns, and what every child should experience before he or she grows up.

These charming, sweet, and funny tales of Mr. Done's trials and triumphs as an award-winning schoolteacher will touch readers' hearts and remind them of the true joys of childhood. We all have that one special, favorite grade school teacher whom we fondly remember throughout our adult lives - and every teacher also has students whom they will never forget. This is the perfect book for teachers, parents, and anyone else who is looking for a lighthearted, nostalgic read.

I don’t think funny fully captures Mr. Done’s stories, they are more like laugh-out-loud hilarious (which I found myself doing, on more than one occasion, and a couple of times in public.)

You know the saying about real life being funnier than anything you can make-up….that saying definitely holds true for the stories in this book. From kids pretending to throw an imaginary sausage, to mug week (known to non-teachers as the week before Christmas), to him freezing a tie that he thought was a box of chocolates because it was wrapped in a Sees candy box. The funny stories just keep coming!

I think my favorite part of the whole book was when Mr. Done was talking about a box that his mother had recently given him that contained letters he had written as a child. He opened the box and said, “Where did you get these?” (another time that I laughed aloud, luckily this time I was at home and only my hubby was around)

Close Encounters of the 3rd Grade Kind also contains many touching stories. Stories of children overcoming obstacles, of ways that he was able to get through to a child, of touching moments between children. Stories that bring a tear to your eye.

This book was very easy to read. Mr Done’s writing style is short, sweet, and to the point. I took it along with me wherever I went, just in case I had a few minutes of waiting time I needed to fill. I am sure that parents and teachers alike would enjoy this book.

Now, thanks to The Hachette Book Group, 2 of my blog readers will have a chance to enjoy this hilarious and heart warming book for themselves (or maybe to pass along to a teacher they know)

To Enter: Leave a comment telling us a funny grade school experience you have had, either as a parent, teacher, or grade schooler yourself!
Don't forget to include your e-mail address (if your profile does not have it listed)

Giveaway Ends: Sunday Nov. 8th!

Extra Entry: Blog or Twitter about this giveaway and post the links here.

Bonus Entry: If you are already a follower of Over Coffee – the green edition leave a comment for a bonus entry.

Restrictions: Only residents of the U.S or Canada are eligible to win. No P.O. Boxes.

Good Luck!