The Kids in Mrs. Z's Class: Ayana Ndoum Takes the Stage
Meet the kids in Mrs. Z’s wacky and wonderful third-grade class! Ayana Ndoum, who prefers blending into the background, will have to take center stage for the class variety show—but it’s hard to concentrate on her talent when her embarrassing dad is volunteering at school, too!
Mrs. Z’s class is holding a variety show, and everyone has signed up to demonstrate their special skills! Everyone, that is, except Ayana Ndoum. She’s good at reading, but someone’s already reciting a poem. She’s good at synchronized swimming, but they can’t get a pool onstage. What could her act be?
Before she can figure it out, she has an even bigger problem to deal with: Why is her dad at school?
Turns out her dad is a variety show volunteer! He talks to everyone and asks too many questions. It’s embarrassing for Ayana, who likes to be quiet and help from the sidelines. With her dad taking up the spotlight, will she ever find her own way to shine?
Both sweetly poignant and laugh-out-loud funny, with black-and-white illustrations by Pura Belpré Honor artist Kat Fajardo, Ayana’s story invites readers into Mrs. Z’s class where friendship and fun rule the school, from award-winning author Kekla Magoon.
Perfect for!
★ My Weirdtastic School fans
★ Reluctant readers
★ Classroom read-alouds
Andrew Clements fans
★ Quiet kids
★ Anyone who’s ever been embarrassed by a parent!
Read them all! The Kids in Mrs. Z’s Class have plenty of stories to share!
Emma McKenna, Full out (#1)
Rohan Murthy Has a Plan (#2)
Poppy Song Bakes a Way (#3)
The Legend of Memo Castillo (#4)
Wyatt Hill Brings a Lizard to School (#5) — available for preorder now!
Ayana Ndoum Takes the Stage (#6) — available for preorder now!
Olive Little Gets Crafty (#7) — available for preorder now!
Synclaire Fields Knows the Score (#8) — available for preorder now!
*The Kids in Mrs. Z’s Class is an innovative series where every book is written by a different all-star author and features a different kid in the same third-grade class. They can be read in any order!
Mrs. Z’s class is holding a variety show, and everyone has signed up to demonstrate their special skills! Everyone, that is, except Ayana Ndoum. She’s good at reading, but someone’s already reciting a poem. She’s good at synchronized swimming, but they can’t get a pool onstage. What could her act be?
Before she can figure it out, she has an even bigger problem to deal with: Why is her dad at school?
Turns out her dad is a variety show volunteer! He talks to everyone and asks too many questions. It’s embarrassing for Ayana, who likes to be quiet and help from the sidelines. With her dad taking up the spotlight, will she ever find her own way to shine?
Both sweetly poignant and laugh-out-loud funny, with black-and-white illustrations by Pura Belpré Honor artist Kat Fajardo, Ayana’s story invites readers into Mrs. Z’s class where friendship and fun rule the school, from award-winning author Kekla Magoon.
Perfect for!
★ My Weirdtastic School fans
★ Reluctant readers
★ Classroom read-alouds
Andrew Clements fans
★ Quiet kids
★ Anyone who’s ever been embarrassed by a parent!
Read them all! The Kids in Mrs. Z’s Class have plenty of stories to share!
Emma McKenna, Full out (#1)
Rohan Murthy Has a Plan (#2)
Poppy Song Bakes a Way (#3)
The Legend of Memo Castillo (#4)
Wyatt Hill Brings a Lizard to School (#5) — available for preorder now!
Ayana Ndoum Takes the Stage (#6) — available for preorder now!
Olive Little Gets Crafty (#7) — available for preorder now!
Synclaire Fields Knows the Score (#8) — available for preorder now!
*The Kids in Mrs. Z’s Class is an innovative series where every book is written by a different all-star author and features a different kid in the same third-grade class. They can be read in any order!
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Praise
Praise for the Kids in Mrs. Z's Class Series
"Uplifting and encouraging." B>Kirkus Reviews
“[A] wholesome read…buoyant.” B>Publishers Weekly
“Buy the book and the series. Kids need access to this diverse classroom of students who face everyday crises with their supportive friends, and this gentle read shows the goodness in the world without being overly sappy.” —SLJ
"Believable characters experiencing age-appropriate challenges: making new friends, navigating social groups, overcoming shyness, and dealing with embarrassment. . . Share with fans of Annie Barrows' Ivy and Bean books or Sara Pennypacker's Clementine series." B>Booklist
"This new series is giving [Polk Street School] vibes. I absolutely love that each book is written by a different author and I love how diverse the classroom is. . . The great thing about [these] books is they showcase kids working together and supporting each other." —Teen Librarian Toolbox Praise for Kekla Magoon:
"Uplifting and encouraging." B>Kirkus Reviews
“[A] wholesome read…buoyant.” B>Publishers Weekly
“Buy the book and the series. Kids need access to this diverse classroom of students who face everyday crises with their supportive friends, and this gentle read shows the goodness in the world without being overly sappy.” —SLJ
"Believable characters experiencing age-appropriate challenges: making new friends, navigating social groups, overcoming shyness, and dealing with embarrassment. . . Share with fans of Annie Barrows' Ivy and Bean books or Sara Pennypacker's Clementine series." B>Booklist
"This new series is giving [Polk Street School] vibes. I absolutely love that each book is written by a different author and I love how diverse the classroom is. . . The great thing about [these] books is they showcase kids working together and supporting each other." —Teen Librarian Toolbox Praise for Kekla Magoon:
* "A summertime romp filled with trouble-making, camaraderie, and substance."
—School Library Journal, starred review (The Season of Styx Malone)
* "Magoon (How It Went Down) crafts a novel that is genuinely funny, heartbreaking, and uplifting—extraordinary, in fact."
—Publishers Weekly, starred review (The Season of Styx Malone)
* "Magoon makes space for and celebrates the sensitive and solitary middle-grade readers who are happiest flying under the radar."
—Shelf Awareness, starred review (Chester Keene Cracks The Code)
"Engrossing and heartwarming; explores belonging, love, and forgiveness in families and friendships."
—Kirkus Reviews (Chester Keene Cracks The Code)
