Clementine

Clementine’s week is mapped out day by day, with each mishap adding a new complication to her friendship with Margaret and trouble at school and home. The opening incident—Clementine cutting off Margaret’s hair—sets off a chain of strained interactions, while Friday’s bad breakfast and Saturday’s upset mother extend the trouble beyond the classroom. The story’s setup pairs comic everyday mishaps with a child’s attempt to work out how to improve a difficult week. As a chapter book about a third grader, it keeps its focus on school, friendship, and family life.