This story is about a substitute teacher,named Mr. Moffat, and how he uses poetry and journal writing with his students to impact their thinking, their writing, and their lives. Lucy pours out her heart and writes about everything, while Andy, the class trouble-maker,only draws pictures of exploding fighter planes. It isn't until some ducks come to live at the pool of Andy's apartment building that Andy starts to write about what is really on his mind,even a secret that he can no longer hide. This is a great story for introducing poetry, journal writing, author's voice, visualization, making inferences, and drawing conclusions. ( )

I liked this chapter book for many different reasons. I liked the language of this book. This book was written in the way a child would write in a diary. For example, Lucy the main character says, “That would surprise me. Poor snail! Oh, and poor Mrs. Silverberg!” The language of this book would be focused on 5th graders and 6th graders. The plot of this book has events and different scenarios children who were in 5th or 6th grade would go through. The point of view is written like it would be from a child who was writing in their journal every day. I liked this because many children have journals or diaries and share events that happened throughout their days. I also liked the illustrations in this chapter book. This chapter book included illustrations a child would draw if they were doodling in their diary. For example, the author draws two people fighting to show what happened on the playground that day. This makes the book become more realistic as a journal or diary. The big idea or message of this story is beauty can be found anywhere even if the surroundings are ugly. Beauty also can be found through art and poetry which this book encompasses. The poetry that can be found throughout this book helps the readers look at things in new and creative ways. Readers can relate to the age group through these poems.

I really enjoyed this book. It is about two young students who seem unlikey to be friends but that all changes. They both write about their stories and they learn lessons through writing. ( )

Lucy is in grade six, and is assigned to write a journal. Lucy pours out her heart to her teacher Mr. Moffat in entries marked "For YOUR eyes only!". Andy the class trouble-maker does nothing but draw exploding fighter planes in his journal. A pair of wood ducks nest near the pool at the building where Andy and Lucy are neighbours. Andy is fascinated by them, and begins to draw ducks. Lucy learns that Andy has family troubles - his angry stepfather eventually beats him, and his mother. At the end of the book Andy discloses the abuse, and his mother and he move to another state. It's a bitter-sweet ending, as their teacher moves away too, but somehow life seems to hold the promise of good things to come. Not too difficult a read, 136 pp, suitable for grade 4 to 6. ( )