Sassy video booktalk

Magical things happen when Sassy Sanford opens her sparkly, purple, patchwork Sassy Sack!

I like my name!  How could anyone not like having a name like Sassy Simone Sanford? The problem is, no one in my family ever uses it! To them, I’m just Little Sister. I’m nine and a half, I’m the youngest of three kids, I’m the shortest person in the fourth grade, and I don’t weigh very much, cause I’m skinny as well. Sometimes I feel like I’m so small, my family doesn’t even see me.

At least I get to carry the purse my grammy made me — my Sassy Sack. I keep a million things in it — maybe two million. It’s purple and silver and magenta, and has pockets on the outside that zip and button, and lots of hidden pockets inside. Grammy put all kinds of sparkling things on it, and when the sun hits it, it just glitters. It has a long shoulder strap, and I carry it everywhere. It’s sassy, just like me.

This morning, my English teacher gave us a writing assignment. We have to figure out who we are and write about it. The way we look inside, what makes us scared or unahppy, or sad or angry. I decide that I’ll write about how tough is is to be the smallest all the time. When I tell Miss Armstrong what I’m going to write about, she tells me, "You won’t always be the smallest, and besides, sometimes being small can be a good thing."

Grownups always say that, but I know it's not true.  How could being little ever be better than being big? But at least I have my Sassy Sack — when I'm wearing it, I may not be big, but I know I'm a Classy Sassy!

 

The booktalk was written by Joni Richards Bodart, university professor, librarian, consultant, and internationally known booktalking expert.

Sharon Draper has published a wide variety of books for young readers, including the acclaimed young adult novels Tears of a Tiger, which won the Coretta Scott King Genesis Award, and Forged by Fire, winner of the Coretta Scott King Award. She has also published books of poetry for both children and adults and a book on teaching.

• Scholastic Store
• 

  The Scholastic Store

  Sassy: Little Sister Is Not My Name by Sharon Draper Scholastic Summer Challenge Book Pick. It's not easy being nine, especially when you're Sassy Simone Sanford. Especially when you were named for sticking out your tongue on the day you were born. Especially when everyone in the family calls you Little Sister. And if that's not bad enough, imagine being the youngest in the family. Imagine watching your big brother and sister have all the fun. Imagine being left out of the cool stuff your older sibs get to do -- just because you're younger. Just because you're in the fourth grade. Just because Mom and Dad rule. Well, nothing stops Sassy. All she has to do is reach into her Sassy Sack to find the right lip gloss, hair clip, or rubber band, and life's problems get solved. And thanks to her best friends, Carmelita, Jazzy, and Tandy, the most sour situations can become as sweet as honey! $14.99 books;hardcovers | Ages 9-12

  
  Sassy: Little Sister Is Not My Name
  Ages 9-12 $14.99
  
• Teacher Store
• 

  The Teacher Store

  Big Apple Barn: A Sassy Surprise by Kristin Earhart Alternating voices of owners and horses tell the stories that take place at the Big Apple Barn. Horse fans will enjoy learning about the day-to-day workings of the stable, and especially hearing every pony's point of view, straight from the horse's mouth! Just when Happy begins to feel at home at Big Apple Barn a new pony arrives and things change. What's a pony to do? $3.99 Paperback Book | Grades 3-5

  
  Big Apple Barn: A Sassy Surprise
  Grades 3-5 $3.99
  

ARTICLE	When to Let Your Middle Schooler Make Her Own Choices Know when to let your middle schooler build independence by making her own decisions. Discover what life skills your child can learn from making her own choices.