The Last Holiday Concert

Clements, Andrew. 2004. The Last Holiday Concert. New York: Aladdin.

Summary

The main character in this story is Hart Evans. He has just started middle school, and he is already the most popular guy in school. He likes school and his classes except for music class. To Hart this is the most boring class of the day. He decides to liven things up a bit by shooting a few rubber bands at Mr. Meinart, the music director. One of the rubber bands snaps the teacher on the neck and he over reacts and drags Hart down to the principal's office. Soon after this Mr. Meinart announces that the class will be producing the holiday concert on their own. Hart is elected to run the show. We get to see Hart learn to become a true leader who is not able to rely just on his popularity status, and we get to see how Mr. Meinart learns how to become a better teacher by taking a step back.

Impressions

This is a fun and entertaining story to read. The characters are interesting and engaging. The author lets us inside the character's thoughts and shows a variety of view points. Mr. Meinart is not portrayed as the typical "Mean" teacher, but rather as a human teacher. Hart learns that popularity really isn't that important, and he and his classmates learn that a lot can be accomplished with true team work. Children will definitely enjoy this well told and entertaining story.

Reviews

Booklist( October 15, 2004 ; 0-689-84516-2 ) Gr. 4-6. "After Hart shoots a rubber band at Mr. Meinert, he finds that the chorus teacher is not just annoyed but furious. Unbeknownst to Hart, all the faculty art and music positions have been eliminated, and Mr. Meinert will not be returning after the winter holiday concert. When the teacher unexpectedly turns the concert planning and preparation over to the students, they vote to make Hart their leader. This entertaining novel relates Hart's ups and downs in his challenging new role."--Carolyn Phelan Copyright 2004 Booklist

School Library Journal( October 01, 2004 ; 0-689-84516-2 ) Gr 4-7-"Clements is a master at taking elements of relatively common school situations and turning them into masterful stories with truly engaging characters. Foreshadowing provides glimpses of the program during the chapters leading up to the conclusion, but the climactic description of the event will leave youngsters teeming with emotion. The book's accessible language and quick pace will also appeal to reluctant readers."-Debbie Whitbeck, West Ottawa Public Schools, Holland, MI Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.