Turns out, to both of our surprises, it wasn't all that bad! She ended up liking her new, mysterious teacher, Mr. Guthrie, reconnecting with one of her old friends from kindergarten, and eating gummy worms covered in chocolate pudding--all in one day! I felt relieved when Katie did not have the terrible day that she probably stayed up all night worrying about. Although it was better than expected, it definitely was not perfect. She is approaching a time in her life where she will either lose friends, make new friends, or keep the same ones. Which one will it be?
I wondered if Suzanne was still going to try to make their friendship work even though they were in different classes. Unfortunately, it does not look like it. She seems to have found a new best friend in her class, Jessica Haynes. Every time Katie would talk, Suzanne would interrupt her. I can't believe that Suzanne would treat her this way. When they were exchanging stories about their days, Katie thinks in her head, "Suzanne would probably just come up with something they did in her class that was even more wonderful" (p. 39). I really began to wonder why Katie was even friends with Suzanne at all. Suzanne was not treating Katie like a friend. She was treating her like an outsider just because they weren't in the same class this year. I found myself wanting to look at Katie in the eyes and tell her, "Friends do not treat friends this way. You do not have to keep being friends just because you have been friends for years." This happens to a lot of people, including myself. It is easy to stay friends with someone just because you have been friends with them for a long time, but when they start treating you this way, you really need to reassess the friendship and figure out why you really are still friends with this person.
I hope that Katie and Suzanne can work out their friendship and figure out what is going on. Katie seems to be having a good year so far, despite the situation with Suzanne. Let's hope she continues to have a good year!
I know what you mean when you say you have a worst case scenario approach to things. I can relate to Katie in that way as well. It's good to know that the day didn't turn out that badly. It sounds like even though she is a worrier, she was able to grow from this experience. The first day may not have turned out perfectly, but Katie opened up and was able to reconnect with an old friend and begin to like her new teacher. I wonder if she will remember the lesson she learned this year when fifth grade beings, or if she has to move schools? Perhaps the next time she has a first day, she won't spend the night before worrying because she will remember the gummy worms and pudding that she got to have! I always had a love-hate relationship for the first day of school in that sense.
ReplyDeleteIt's also interesting that you mention that it seems like Katie and Suzanne will not be good friends anymore because they are in different classes. I like reading children's books because that seems like the biggest deal in the world, right? "Oh no! We can't be best friends because we're in different classes." You are right, though, you do not have to continue a friendship with someone just because you've been friends for a long time. In the end, it seems like she didn't lose out on much! I hope that Jessica turns out to be a much better friend to Katie.
It was very comforting to read that you think the same way as Katie because so do I. It makes me feel not so alone when I unconsciously catastrophize nearly everything! I would definitely recommend this book to older elementary/middle school students if they ever feel like Katie. It will give them an insight of a person's thoughts and how they turned out in the end.
ReplyDeleteI love how you interact with the text. You jump straight in like you are Katie or right by her side to tell her story. The drama younger children go through is almost humorous now. I have been in situations like Katie when one of my friends is just acting off. I felt like I have done something completely wrong, but in reality, it was nothing in my control. I am definitely considering this book since it sounds like I could relate as well.