Trevor Lee and The Big Uh Oh Written by Wiley Blevins Illustrated by Marta Kissi

4.0-4.25 stars when reading with an adult

2.5-2.75 stars when reading alone

Trevor Lee is a third grader trapped in a world of three letters. He has managed to keep the secret from everyone…family, peers and even teachers apparently don’t know that he has difficulty reading. When his teacher announces that all students must go on stage and read aloud during Parent Night, Trevor knows he’s in trouble. There is no way for her to assign something to him with small words. Everyone will know that he can’t read like them. Can you imagine how they will laugh and make fun of him? He will do anything to avoid getting on that stage.

Oh my God! What the hell was she going to do? He and his best friend Pinky try to get him out of there. Sneaky, not so sneaky, one by one his ideas fail. Now with his secret hanging over him like the anvil about to crush poor Coyote’s head in the classic cartoon. He thinks of the words of his beloved grandmother. “Some days are just bad. You have to keep your head up and keep moving.” How could this help? The book works its way to a heartfelt and satisfying conclusion that will touch each reader differently.

Trevor Lee and the great oh oh he’s cute without being cutesy and laughs out loud at times. Wiley Blevin’s The story is populated with realistic characters that boys and girls ages 7-10 can easily identify and relate to. Many children struggle with basic reading skills. It’s important to emphasize that everyone learns at their own pace and that it’s okay to be on a different level than your friends. However, we do not want to encourage children to try so hard to avoid learning altogether. I think Trevor Lee and The Big Uh Oh should be read for the first time with an adult. Because it is important that children receive the correct message. I read the book. Then read it with my seven year old granddaughter. When I finished I asked her what she thought. She immediately asked, “Nana, why couldn’t Trevor read? Why didn’t her teacher know that she couldn’t read? Didn’t her family read with him every day like we do?” She also thought this would be a good book for her class to read together. Sharing this book with her gave me the opportunity to talk about responsibility, keeping secrets, asking for help, and the importance of practice. (Why her Nana always says “practice, practice, practice, to get better at anything we have to practice!”)

happy reading,

Note: Reading is the foundation upon which all future learning will be built. I highly recommend reading with your child (grandchild, niece, nephew, etc.) every day. Join one of the many online challenges. Lists of age-appropriate children’s books are available online, as well as at your local library. Turn reading into an adventure or a game. Children are interested in both. It is recommended that we read a minimum of 15 minutes each night. Accept the challenge.