I liked the concept better than the execution. I suspect it is plus charmante in the original French? Though I'm reluctant to fault the translator, since she nicely managed to convey the very French flavor of the whole story. Maybe I just wanted more depth to the vindictive, miserable headmistress Perez.

What a weird little book. I loved it though, mostly for its humor, and also for its refusal to follow a formula and its unconventional ending, not the ending I’d guessed was coming.The illustrations are charming and quirky; I loved them. This isn’t really a picture book though; it’s a very short novel.What’s strange about it was that is was published in French in 1999 and then translated to English in 2001. Computers are talked about, which makes sense. But green stamps (from my childhood!) are

Quick, quirky and utterly charming! Just as good as I remembered. My daughter, however, was dissatisfied that there was no comeuppance at the end. ( Think: Its A Wonderful Life, where greedy Potter gets away with it all!!). Such is life, I suppose!

One of the delights of an elementary school library is when a book literally fall off the shelves into my path. Most often it is one of many Wimpy Kid or Goosebumps volumes we house, but occasionally it's something I don't recognize that piques my interest. This is one such book. I initially thought it might be a good (short) read aloud for September in 4th or 5th grade, but upon reading it, I'm not so sure. There is the part when Monsieur Noel (the teacher) goes home and downs the whole bottle

What a disgusting piece of crap! Wordy. Rudimentary drawings.The text is dishonest. I have even verified with a few school children living in the homes around me. No, this is not how the year starts. By the 5th grade the children know they have to obey. They know they can't start talking just like that. Especially with a foreigner. And that all teachers (master in French) are abusive and authoritarian.What is worse is the reinforcing of the violent prison like environment. A card to hug someone?...

1. Book Summary in your own wordsMonsieur Noel is the new fifth grade teacher. The students complain about him being too old, too fat, too …. They are surprised when he gives them each a present, a book of coupons. As the school year goes by, the students use up their coupons but learn life lessons with each use.2. Grade level, interest level, lexileGrades 3-5, lexile 790L3. Appropriate classroom use (subject area)Character and values. 4. Individual students who might benefit from readingStudent...

The ending was really sad because of this, this week before summer vacation, the next day what was the last day of school and not a drop of work was done the class spent the whole day having a party. Santa offered his students one last gift: a blank exercise book on which he had written:“ when coupon for telling your life story." Saint Charles handed in a huge envelope. In it were 26 wild card coupons.“ what are you going to do with them?" Ask Monsieur Noel.“ we are going to give you a present!"...

First published in France this book is a little gem. A 5th grade class gets a new teacher who looks like he will be a dud. But before he even introduces himself, he gives them each a book of coupons - coupons for things like one free day off school, one homework pass, etc. By the time the children leave school at the end of the year they have received much more from their wise teacher and their books of coupons than anyone might have guessed. I wish I had read this in high school/college thoug

Funny and very sweet. This book certainly deserved it's honor as a 2001 ALA Notable Children's book. The author packed a lot of humor and character-building in a short, small package. A sort of "Goodbye, Mr. Chips" for young readers.

This is not a chapter book, although many other reviewers have indicated that to be the case. Despite its brevity (a mere 62 pgs), this is a middle grade novel. If for no other reason, the mentions of "making love" on pgs 53 and 60 ensure this is a book for older children. This concept is further elaborated on pg 54: "None of you would be here if your parents hadn't made love!" The American publisher (Penguin) would have made a better choice to leave those references out of this version when tra...

This book is about the students in Monsieur Noel's class. In Marie curie school in France there is a new teacher named Monsieur Noel. At first his class was a little disappointed that they dint have a new attractive teacher. This disappointment soon changed to happiness when they received a book of coupons. I would teach this in a 3rd-4th grade class. It could be used to help teach students to do nice deeds. They could make their own coupon book of nice gestures of deeds that they and redeem fro...

This book was originally written in French and then translated to English. Interestingly enough the author is actually an American, who has spent her life in France. This book tells a story of a new teacher, who has some untraditional teaching methods. Students will appreciate the odd behavior of the teacher and the prinicipal, all while imagining their own reactions if they were in the same situation. Appropriate for 2nd & 3rd grade students.

80 pages of an eccentric and loving teacher, bullying principal and awesome elementary kids. Totally worth blowing of my other plans!

4.5 stars? 20 minutes for me to read, so I guess I should again before I take it back to the library.Were you ever lucky enough to have an eccentric teacher who inspired you to look forward to going to school? One who treasured every student, and brought the whole classroom together as a team? Or have you wanted to be that kind of teacher? This French 5th-grade teacher, this Santa look-alike, is even more fantastic than that. And yet, the story and characters feel real, the drama plausible. Funn...

I loved this whimsical book. It is a French book for children about an inspiring teacher. I am not sure how much children will love it, but I know I sure did. The next time I feel in need of some teaching motivation, I will reread this book.

Chapter book for 1st-4th grades. Really cool concept, but I thought the author could have taken it a lot farther. I was disappointed by the ending. Ben loved it, though.

Another brilliant book by this fabulous French author!Monsieur Noel is the new grade 5 teacher, buts he's very old. The kids' initial disappointment is lessened when he gives them a gift of a book of coupons first thing on the first day. And, it turns out he is an amazing and fascinating teacher whom they all learn to love, except the dragon woman principal of the school.Completely lovely and wonderful little book. (It even includes the opening to "David Copperfield", my favourite book beginning...

So clever and cute! Love "good teacher" stories!

A fun read that takes a unique look at essentives for community building, doing good for others, and being inspired to learn in the classroom.

Nothing hurts more than a lovely idea that is underdeveloped.