My Weird School Special: Hip, Hip, Hooray! Every Day Is a Holiday!

Gr 1-5–The newest addition to the “My Weird School Special” series finds A.J. and his friends experiencing a year without school holidays. Dr. Carbles, president of the Board of Education, decides children of Ella Mentry School need to be in school every day except weekends—no winter break, no spring break, and especially no summer vacation. A.J. and his friends are sad until their media specialist, Mrs. Roopy, has an idea prompted by Andrea’s mention of Penguin Awareness Day. Mrs. Roopy has the students research what holiday is celebrated each day of the year, and they celebrate all those “weird” holidays. At the end of the year, the Board of Education, led by the real Ella Mentry herself, returns the usual holidays to the school schedule. A.J. and his friends are excited but also reflect on how the experiment had taught them that there are lots of amazing things to celebrate. Funny situations and A.J.’s running commentary about each will ensure engagement among readers. The story has weird students, wacky teachers, and fantastical situations in an elementary school setting, but the values of learning, supporting friends, and caring for the school and environment are also present. A calendar of weird holidays at the back of the book might prompt readers to find new ways to celebrate.