ALA Booklist (Sat Jul 01 00:00:00 CDT 2006)

Ace teacher Miss Malarkey returns in a picture book narrated by a reluctant reader. Although comfortable within his small group of video-game-playing buddies, a boy wants to contribute to the schoolwide goal of reading 1,000 books in hope of seeing Principal Wiggins dye his hair purple and sleep on the roof of the school. Trying one of Miss Malarkey's suggested books after another, he rejects them all til she finds the perfect one to match his eclectic interests. Expressive cartoon-style illustrations, brightened with markers and colored pencils, create a series of lively scenes in which speech balloons record conversations and comments not found in the text. With an unstated moral, this is one volume that librarians won't soon forget. Short lists of recommended books, including a bibliography of adult books that recommend children's books, are appended.

Horn Book (Sun Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2007)

This well-meaning but didactic story features optimistic bibliophile Miss Malarkey, who is convinced she can find a book for every student, even the most reluctant one, to enjoy during the school readathon. The story focuses on the variety of genres available to readers, and cartoonlike illustrations with speech bubbles lend some extra liveliness. A reading guide is included.

Kirkus Reviews

Miss Malarkey, school librarian, has set a goal to have the school read 1,000 books before the end of the school year, and to find a book for each and every student to love. The principal will dye his hair purple and sleep on the roof if they succeed, so the effort is worth it, even when it means getting a crew of video-game aficionados to stick their nose in a book, including the narrator: "I hate reading. . . . I like video games, and so do my friends." It's not that he is predisposed to disliking books. He tries the scary books and the joke books and the adventure books Miss Malarkey gives him, but they are as sand to his eyes. He's just honest. But Miss Malarkey is industrious and full of ideas—amply depicted by O'Malley's warmly emotive artwork, which videophiles will relate to. She finally brings home the bacon with a title that is the narrator's to know and readers to find out (though Finchler lends a hand with solid lists of titles, including one about finding books to love). (Picture book. 5-8)

School Library Journal

K-Gr 2-During the first week of school, Principal Wiggins promises that if the students read 1000 books by June 12, he will dye his hair purple and sleep on the roof. Miss Malarkey tells her class that they will be doing the Everybody Reads in America program and promises that all of the students will find books they love before the end of the school year. She picks some for each of them, engaging even reluctant readers. One boy remains unable to find a book he likes until June 10, when Miss Malarkey chooses one that has aliens, race cars, funny jokes, chewing gum, hot sauce, and cannonballs. It becomes number 1001 read by the students and the story ends with everyone wishing Principal Wiggins (whose hair is now purple) a good night on the roof. This title will resonate with those who choose math, video games, and sports over books. O'Malley's illustrations, done in markers and colored pencils, enhance the text with expressive pictures of the students and their teacher as they explore (or choose not to explore) the joys of reading. The illustrations lend humor and credibility to the reluctance of some of the students. A must-have for all libraries.-Rebecca Sheridan, Easttown Library & Information Center, Berwyn, PA Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.