Sick Day Jitters - by Julie Danneberg

About the Book

"When Mrs. Hartwell is out sick and her substitute doesn't show up, the teachers and staff at the school pitch in to help"--Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

In this latest school adventure of the best-selling Jitters series, Mrs. Hartwell is out sick, so who will teach her class?

Everyone has the jitters at the thought of a day without their favorite teacher!

When the substitute teacher doesn't show up, the other adults in the building pitch in. The art teacher runs a writing workshop, the school nurse teaches science, and the math teacher leads reading! Alternating perspectives show the day from the students' point of view and from Mrs. Hartwell's as the kids keep her informed through a flurry of humorous electronic updates.

Modeling the importance of staying home when sick and resting to get better, this is a funny and heartwarming addition to the beloved series reminding readers that everyone gets the jitters.

Review Quotes

In this newest installment in Danneberg's series following Mrs. Hartwell's elementary school class, other staff members must step in when Mrs. H is ill.

It's a teacher's worst nightmare--feeling awful, you call in sick, relying on your emergency sub plans to get your class through the day...but the substitute fails to show! Various staffers fill in for the beloved teacher, but none quite fill her shoes, as her students point out in messages sent over the Homeroom Hub. The gym teacher starts the day with loud music and exercise instead of having the kids do their morning jobs, and the math teacher fails to read a Junie B. Jones book aloud with multiple character voices. Alternating or facing pages show that Mrs. Hartwell isn't getting the kids' messages. Instead, she's taking care of herself and gradually starting to feel better, many of her activities matching the things going on in the class (they watch a penguin documentary; she watches dog and cat videos). When Mrs. Hartwell finally looks at her messages, she has 126, and she knows just what to do with her class the next day. Details in the watercolor, dye, and India ink illustrations will keep readers poring over them; the children's facial expressions are an especial delight. Mrs. Hartwell has light skin; students and other staff are diverse.

A lighthearted look at an increasingly common scenario.

--Kirkus Reviews

Sweet and funny, with subtle details tucked into its intricate watercolor illustrations for parents and older readers toappreciate, this picture book about a chaotic school day shows the bond between students and teachers. When Mrs.Hartwell calls in sick and the substitute teacher doesn't show up, her fellow faculty members pick up the slack--tomixed reviews from the students, which they enthusiastically share with Mrs. Hartwell in the "Homeroom Hub"application throughout the day.

--Foreword Reviews

About the Author

Julie Danneberg is the author of John Muir Wrestles a Waterfall, Monet Paints a Day, and Family Reminders, as well as the best-selling Jitters Series. She is a retired middle-school teacher.

Judy Love is a graduate of Rhode Island School of Design and has illustrated numerous children's books, including First Day Jitters and Last Day Blues by Julie Danneberg. She lives near Charlotte, North Carolina, with her family.