A Week in the Woods

(LSC 530)

Clemens, Andrew. A Week in the Woods. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2002.

 Published reviews:

Rev. of A Week in the Woods by Andrew Clemens. Publishers Weekly 249.32 (2002) : 301

Rev. of A Week in the Woods by Andrew Clemens. School Library Journal 48 (2002): 160

Rev. of A Week in the Woods by Andrew Clemens. Kirkus Review 70.15 (2002). http://web5infotrac.galegroup.com/itw/infomark/209/738/3177282w5/purl=rc1_ITOF_0_A90933784&dyn=7!xrn_1_0A90933784?sw_aep=ripll3

Mark Chelmsley's family has recently moved to New Hampshire. Having moved several times, Mark makes the decision not to get too involved with his classmates or the school; he's 'just passing through.' He has particular difficulty from the start with Mr. Maxwell, the science teacher. Although the "week in the woods" is part of the fifth grade curriculum, Mark tries to get out of it, then decides it's an easy out of a week at school. He doesn't appear to pay attention or take much interest in the class preparation for the event. But there's more to the week in the woods than science. Mark learns about himself and the importance of depending on other people as well as using your skills to help others. Personal growth is part of  the process.