School Library Journal Review
Gr 1-3The saga of Song Lee and her classmates, now in third grade, continues. This time, perpetually pouty Mary has it in for Song Lee, who is the nicest person in [the] class. When Song Lee laughs at her during a game of garbage-can kickball, Mary retaliates by sending her nasty notes. After Harry clues Miss Mackle in, she gently leads all of her students in a discussion about hateful missives. Song Lee applies her own creative hand to note writing, and emotional order is restored. Kline has her finger on the pulse of third graders, and realistically portrays their social interactions and problem-solving skills. The language and perceptions of Doug, the narrator, are right on target. Remkiewiczs black-and-white drawings accentuate the full range of the characters emotions.Pat Leach, Lincoln City Libraries, NE (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
Third-grader Doug tells another story about his classmates in room 3B. Mary takes her anger out on Song Lee, the nicest person in our class, by sending her hate notes. Upset at first, Song Lee soon finds an effective way to repair their friendship. This light, entertaining tale about the ups and downs of a day at school rings true. Line drawings accompany the readable text. From HORN BOOK Fall 1999, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Review
Gr. 2^-4. Who is sending hate notes to Song Lee, the nicest person in Doug's third-grade class? As in Marvin and the Mean Words (1997), Kline's simple chapter book shows that rudeness can hurt. There is no real mystery: from the start it is clear that the culprit is Mary, who is in a rotten mood, seething at her parents. It is also clear that the ugly notes ("You're poopypants! I hate you") hurt Song Lee and make her cry--until she works out a smart way to strike back. The teacher has the class discuss two classic stories Ramona the Pest (1968) and Lovable Lyle (1969), and new readers will enjoy making the connections. An added attraction is that the signature on the hate notes is a rebus, and Song Lee works out a perfect rebus in revenge. --Hazel Rochman