I am a fifth-through-eighth-grade teacher at Spring Valley Montessori School. I read Sebastian Reckless to my classes recently, and I have never had such a positive reaction to any book. The students never wanted me to stop. They were excited every day as I opened the book during lunch, and groaned loudly every time I had to stop. The boys especially were intrigued. When Rushton Howard came to our school, he was greeted like a hero. After his talk, the students lined up eagerly to meet him.
This book is a great hit with all the students, but especially the boys. Any book that excites preadolescent boys to read is great, but this one has a special something. There is humor, action, and yes, a little romance, but they eat it up. They wanted more of the story, even after it ended. It is the most checked-out book in our library even today. As a teacher, I found it a great read, and revisit it on my own time occasionally. My daughter does as well. We all (the teachers and students) agree that this is one of the great children's books of all time.
Monika Day
Spring Valley Montessori School
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Sebastian Reckless was recommended to me by a fellow teacher, and I am forever in her debt. My class of 11 and 12 year olds were spellbound. I have never, in 10 years of teaching, had a class respond so positively to a book. They begged me to continue reading each day. Sebastian Reckless elicits extraordinary responses from readers young and old. It is so rare to find highly intelligent humor that is "fall on the floor laughing" funny. This book has it all; challenging vocabulary, references to great literature, ridiculous but real characters, and plot twists and turns to boggle the mind, suspense, romance and incredible inventiveness, all at a level that precisely hits a child's funny bone and imagination. I know that students in my class will storm any store to find the sequels to this book when they are released. I have been recommending this book to fellow teachers, and every single one has had a similar experience with their students and the book. Buy it! You won't be sorry.
Ruth Bookwalter
Pine Tree Elementary, Kent
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I recently had the pleasure of reading Sebastian Reckless by Rushton Howard to my class at Panther Lake Elementary in Federal Way. It is a superb read-aloud for intermediate grades. 5th grade students are thrilled with the hilarious antics of ten year old super-hero, Sebastian Reckless and the love of his life, Tessa. The book has a quick-paced, zany plot that keeps students on their toes and wanting more.
The book itself offers teachers many opportunities for meaningful literary lessons. It is jam-packed with similes, metaphors, alliteration, foreshadowing, inferences, contradictions, foreign languages, and poetry excerpts from Shakespeare and others. The excerpts are used in such a way that students are able to use context to comprehend the meaning. The kids are able to make astounding connections and participate in valuable discussions. They are filled with questions and comments and couldn't wait to meet the author.
Rushton Howard enthralls students in person. As a visiting author, he makes his characters come alive. He uses humor and drama (he is also an actor and director) to motivate students to add detail to their writing and to build interesting characters. He explains the importance of the writing process and shares stories from his childhood that prove to students that writing is important in their lives now.
My class and I give him "62" thumbs-up and are anxiously awaiting his next book!
Kristen Puu
Panther Lake Elementary, Federal Way
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Thank you so much for coming into our classroom on March 16th! I think I speak for us all when I say that the entire class LOVED Sebastian Reckless!!!! Oh, and your book didn't fall through my hands, I believe that S.R. is completely real.
Your FAN,
Megan Ingalls
(from Barbara Wood's class; Meridian Elementary, Kent)
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A testimonial:
Mr. Chin has a student who after buying your book promptly went home and finished the story.
Mr. Chin asked who had gone home and finished the book. When this student raised his hand Mr. Chin kidded him about not being able to put the book down. The student commented, "I've never enjoyed a book that I read as much as this one."
Lorie Vanderwalker
Lake Youngs Elementary, Kent
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Dear Mr. Rushton Howard
I really am truly happy and thankful that you came to our school to talk to us about your wonderful book, because I really enjoyed your book. Also I thought it was really adventurous. I think you are a really cool and funny guy because you made funny jokes. You are very entertaining to listen to. It was really funny when you got really dramatic while talking.
At first, I thought I would not like your book, because I do not really like books that are about superheroes, but when our class started to read it I loved it. I loved your book because it was a little sweet the way Sebastian had a crush on Tessa Dumont. I think you are a good author. You are very artistic. Also you are a great actor.
I think your pictures ROCK!!!
Yours truly,
Brittany Spencer
(Ms. Padron's class; Pine Tree Elementary)
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Thank you for coming to our classroom. You really made me laugh when you talked about when a teacher is doing a math problem on the board and someone is staring out the window thinking about what they want to be when they grow up. You are a really good artist and writer. I loved how you put all that Shakespeare in the coolest book Sebastian Reckless. Your book was the most amazing book. I've never read a book that incredible in my entire life. I think I am going to read all your books. If it becomes a movie I would watch it every single day. I absolutely loved your book, it was so adventurous. Thank you again for coming to our classroom and spending your time to show us how hard you work to make just one single book.
Sincerely,
Serena Brakel
(Ms. Padron's class; Pine Tree Elementary)
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