Trevor Lee and The Big Uh Oh Written by Wiley Blevins Illustrated by Marta Kissi

4.0-4.25 stars when reading with an adult

2.5-2.75 stars when read alone

Trevor Lee is a third grader trapped in a three letter world. He has managed to keep his secret from everyone … family, classmates and even teachers apparently do not know that he is struggling to read. When his teacher announces that all the students should go on stage and read aloud during Parent’s Night, Trevor knows he’s in trouble. There is no way I can assign you something with little words. Everyone will know that you cannot read like them. Can you imagine how they will laugh and make fun of him? He will do anything to avoid going on that stage.

Oh my God! What the hell was he going to do? He and his best friend Pinky try to get him out of this. Sneaky, not so sneaky, one by one their ideas fail. Now with his secret hanging over him like the anvil about to crush poor Coyote’s head in the classic cartoon. Think of the words of your beloved grandmother. “Some days are just bad. You have to keep your head up and keep moving.” How could this help? The book works its way to an honest and satisfying conclusion that will affect each reader differently.

Trevor Lee and The Big Uh Oh he’s cute without being cheesy and laughs out loud at times. Wiley blevins The story is populated by realistic characters that girls and boys ages 7-10 can easily identify and relate to as well. Many children struggle with basic reading skills. It is important to emphasize that everyone learns at their own pace and it is okay to be on a different level than your friends. However, we don’t want to encourage children to try so hard to avoid learning altogether. I think Trevor Lee and The Big Uh Oh should be read for the first time with an adult. Because it is important that children get the right message. I read the book. Then read it with my seven-year-old granddaughter. When I finished I asked him what he thought. He immediately asked, “Nana, why couldn’t Trevor read? Why didn’t his teacher know that he couldn’t read? Didn’t his family read with him every day like us?” He also thought that this would be a good book for his class to read together. Sharing this book with her gave me an opportunity to discuss responsibility, keeping secrets, asking for help, and the importance of practice. (Why does her grandmother always say “practice, practice, practice, to get better at whatever we have to practice!”)

Happy reading,

Note: Reading is the foundation on which all future learning will be built. I highly recommend reading with your child (grandson, niece, nephew, etc.) every day. Join one of the many challenges online. There are lists of age-appropriate children’s books available online, as well as at your local library. Turn reading into an adventure or a game. Children are interested in both. It is recommended that we read a minimum of 15 minutes each night. Take the challenge.