Book Review of Passing Notes
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The Children’s Book Review
Passing Notes
Written by Tammy Wilson
Ages 8+ | 188 Pages
Publisher: Wildflower Prairie Press | ISBN-13: 979-8999731500
What to Expect: Emotions, bullying, finding common ground, and empathy.
Can a few kind words change the heart of a bully — and reveal the loneliness hiding behind his anger?
In Passing Notes, Logan is the new kid at school who is struggling to fit in. Recently diagnosed with asthma and unable to participate in gym class, Logan becomes a target of the class bully, Griffin. After learning that not all children come from stable, loving homes, Logan comes up with the idea of “passing notes” to Griffin, in which he and his friends will anonymously send kind words each day. Will Logan’s plan work, or will it make everything worse?
Author Tammy Wilson’s use of language and vocabulary makes this novel accessible to intermediate readers, making it a good choice for independent reading. The narrative not only gives the reader a glimpse into Logan’s life but also into Griffin’s, which provides a strong understanding of the hows and whys of his behavior. Wilson especially focuses on Griffin’s visits with Miss Sophie, the School Counselor, to explain his loneliness and how he acts out to feel accepted by his peers. This information enables readers to develop empathy and understand Griffin’s motivation behind his behavior towards Logan and other classmates.
Wilson also skillfully presents multiple characters’ voices, allowing readers to step outside of Logan’s perspective and gain a new understanding of the story. Readers who may not relate to Logan or Griffin may find resonance with characters like Kaylee and her divorced parents, or Gabe’s hectic household, making this story relevant to many readers who face similar challenges in their own lives.
Passing Notes’ well-written chapters are the perfect length for a read-aloud book, making it an excellent choice for classroom use and discussions on modifying undesirable behavior—complementary teaching materials and literature circle resources are available at TammyWilsonAuthor.com.
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About the Author
TAMMY WILSON spent over 30 years in education as a teacher and elementary principal. She has always believed that every child has a story worth telling and every action has a purpose. Now she brings that relationship-first philosophy to her writing, creating authentic characters who navigate challenges of friendships, family, and identity. She lives in Rochester, Minnesota, and enjoys traveling, exploring the outdoors, and spending time with her children and grandchildren.
For more information, visit: https://www.tammywilsonauthor.com/
When we take a step back and try to understand why someone is acting a certain way, it changes how we respond.
The Story Behind ‘Passing Notes’: A Q&A with Tammy Wilson
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