I like this book. It may not be the best book I've ever come across but I definitely did love it. Hart Evans, the school 'trouble maker' ends up having to take charge of the last holiday concert. He was goofing off as usual, and shot a rubber band into Mr. Meinert's ear! Mr. Meinert got upset with the children of the sixth grade at Palmer Middle School, and told them to do it themselves if they can't take him and his class seriously. The children then must either band together and make an excellent concert, or look like total geeks in front of the other children, their friends, family, and other teachers. Will they make it or make fools of themselves? Read it and find out for yourselves! I'd give this book a nine out of ten. This is strictly because it just isn't for my reading level. It's very...kiddish. Fourth to maybe seventh graders would fall absolutely in love with this book, I'm positive. It is very relatable, and you feel like one of the kids involved with the musical. You'll end up feeling WITH the characters throughout the novel. The characters in the novel are all very relatable, they feel like real people. About the believability of the plot, I don't know.... The teacher gave up and let the children decide if they wanted to do the play or not, how good it would end up being, and let them run wild. I've yet to see something like that happen in my years of schooling. I think Mr. Clements could've made the plot a little more realistic, but then again, isn't that what fiction is for? If it had been more realistic, there would have been no great story. The theme of the story is by far one of Mr. Clement's top themes in my eyes. It showed that children can do just about anything if they buckle down and try. I think it gives off a sense of motivation; motivation to go out and do anything, because you can. It gives motivation to make you got out and do things you think you can't, things you know you can, and some things that have never been done. Overall, this story was just what I was expecting. I absolutely loved it, just about every page. The only problem I really saw with the book, is that it left me wanting more stories like that. Well done Mr. Clements, well done again!
This is Mr. Meinert's last holiday concert with his 6th grade students. He's been stripped out of the job he loves all because of fiscal difficulties and budget cuts. His demeanor, mood, and temperament changes sinces he knows he will be out of a job, but parents and students don't know yet. Because of the stress, he snaps when Hart Evans, a popular student, accidentally hits him with a rubber band. Hart's punishment is after school detention. Meinert's sadness is escalated when the student's don't pay attention and he decides to let the students prepare for, plan for, practice for, and run The Last Holiday Concert. What follows is a lot of confusion and chaos. Hart Evan's is voted in as concert director and Mr. Meinert sits back and watches the odd turn of events. The final product is not what he had hoped for, but is uniquely fresh and appreciated. Not until after the concert, does Hart realize this is the last one and that Mr. Meinert will not be coming back.
What do You think about The Last Holiday Concert (2006)?
Like a 3.5. I read via the audio version. Once again a typical Andrew Clements book. He knows what it's all about. Kids are smart and if you give them the chance, they can do great things! And the ending was good. Bittersweet.If your child is enjoying Andrew Clements' books, this is another great one. I've tried two others of his that I actually didn't enjoy that much. I couldn't really get into Extra Credit that much. I also didn't like Troublemaker. I tried a few pages from that one, but seeing as I don't use bad language, that book sort of kind of used an inappropriate word. Or rather an appropriate word in an inappropriate way. And I wasn't feeling too good about that one. So disclaimer for that one!And if you think I'm reviewing an old book, just wait til the next review! 1998. Which proves that not only newer books are good!Read my other reviews at www.LittleZombies.net
—TamTam
This is the second time I've used this book as a holiday read aloud for my fourth graders. It's good; not great. The kids really like it, though. The beginning is excellent at setting up the problems of each of the main characters, and the kids always want me to, "Keep reading!" Somewhere in the middle it gets a little bit dry. Eventually, the night of the concert comes and all of the puzzle pieces fall into place. I really like this book because it doesn't have a perfectly "happily ever after" ending. There is plenty of room for kids to make predictions or write a story extension at the end of this book. Bottom line: A fun Christmas read.
—Erin
I read this book in one afternoon. It was very delightful.It is about Hart Evans who is a good kid but ends up in detention. The music class is not going very well until it is decided that they take a vote as to who would take over the concert. The teacher is a 2nd year teacher. The district has decided to cut music and art from the programs. After Christmas the music program will be no more. There is a democratic vote and the teacher announces that Hart Evans will be the one who will decide what will be done at the Christmas program. It is interesting how the teacher watches and how the program comes together. Hart Evans is very inventive but manipulative in his ways and also very diplomatic. The program comes off very well. It did not say at the end of the book if the district decided to continue the music program. The teacher learned a lot from watching Hart go through all that he did to get this program working. Mainly, it was to get the kids in the class motivated and willing to work with him. It worked very well.
—Maureen
