Chamelia and the New Kid in Class

Chamelia

by Ethan Long

Chamelia is a chameleon who loves to stand out in a crowd. She's always the star of the show, especially at school. But when a new kid in class becomes the center of attention, Chamelia feels left out. Can she figure out how to beat her competition? Or will she learn to share the spotlight and make a new best friend? Join the fabulous Chamelia in this funny and charming story about friendship, school, and the true meaning of being a star!

Genres: Picture Books, Friendship, School, Childrens, Storytime, Fantasy, Fiction

40 pages, Hardcover

First published June 25, 2013

About the author

Ethan Long is a popular, award-winning and internationally recognized children's book author and illustrator with over 70 children's books, a Theodor Seuss Geisel Award and an Emmy-nominated television series to his credit. Just about all of his awake time is spent writing stories, drawing pictures and spending time with his family. Since graduating from Ringling College of Art and Design in 1991, Ethan has never stopped evolving, challenging his creative approach with each new project while constantly honing his instantly identifiable style. Born and raised in Central Pennsylvania, his childhood memories serve as inspiration for many of his drawings and stories. He currently lives with his wife and three children in beautiful Orlando, Florida, USA and flip flops seamlessly between being a world famous children's book author and a stay-at-home dad.

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first Chamelia book in which the irrepressible chameleon was introduced, and this one was equally delightful while containing important messages about how to treat others. Used to being the center of attention, Chamelia is understandably miffed when new boy Cooper quickly becomes popular. After enduring being ignored by her classmates in favor of him, she decides to give him a hard time during his presentation on rocks. But when he falters, she feels guilt and changes her tactics. The digital collage illustrations contain actual photos of cupcakes and fabric textures to add depth and realism to the images. This is a great read aloud, and Chamelia is a charming, albeit imperfect, example for her peers.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

consider me in love with chamelia!!

[Sarah Herrington · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the topic of this book- it's about a new child joining Chamelia's (a feisty little chameleon) class and how she, the start of the class, is now outshone. Sort of a different take on the "new kid" story. Chamelia struggles at first but then decides to be friends with the new student. That said, for some reason, we weren't as engaged as with other stories. The kids didn't ask to read it twice and I didn't love it either, for whatever reason. I think possibly it could have just been better written/illustrated.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh dear. What do you do when you are a quirky kid (Chamelia) and a new kid arrives who is just as quirky (the new kid in class)? Oh dear. It’s trouble for Chamelia as she competes with the new kid to be the quirkiest, until she finally realizes that it can be fun to have a new friend who is just as quirky as you are.

[Laura Filtness · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would use this book not only to talk about friendship, but also about change. I am at a small school and so when new students come in not only do they have a hard time adjusting but the "veterans" to do. This is a good book to open the discussion of that competition.

[Reade · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chamelia is used to being the star of the class. When the new kid, Cooper, comes to school, he becomes the new star. Chamelia doesn't like how Cooper is taking all of her friends so she shows him no attention at all. On show and tell day, Chamelia gives her presentation and is the star. Cooper gives his presentation over rocks and everyone loves it. Chamelia tries at first to wreck Coopers show. Chamelia realizes that that wasn't the right thing to do. Chamelia then cheers on Cooper and they become best friends.
3 book topic ideas
1.) This book could be a good starting points on talking about different types of rocks. (Science)
2.) Students could draw pictures and brainstorm what type of animal Chamelia and Cooper are.
3.) This book could also be use for an activity teaching the importance of giving people a chance and making new friends instead of being mean.

[Sunah Chung · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chamelia loves to be outstanding and be the center of attention. When the new student arrives at school, she is jealous of him because he takes the attention of his classmates. Thus, she is mean to him and tries to make fun of him. However, she realizes that bullying him does not make her the center of attention. Instead, it makes her feel guilty and sad.
The story is about self-centered character’s emotional maturity. Chamelia dealt with the situations of being failed and losing the center of attention and opened her mind to the new student. Although she made fun of him in front of other kids during show-and-tell, she recognized her wrong manners and tried to fix it. Those must be the values which readers need to focus on. Fixing what we have done wrong is the hardest and requires courage.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I give this book a 3 star rating.

This story is about Chamelia and a new kid who came into his class. Just like in any story, the new kid doesn't fit in right away. But the new kid takes the attention from Chamelia. This make its so that they become friends afterwards. This leads to become friends.

Ways to use this in a classroom
1) Lesson about why students may not expect a new students and what we can do to change that?
2)Lesson about friendship and why we need to have friends
3) Plot parts of the story

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's not quite about starting school, but there was a new kid in school. It wasn't necessarily focused on him, but it was still a cute book for my child that will be starting preschool in a month. I liked that it showed the jealousy of the girl but how she realized that the new kid was actually pretty cool.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chamelia is used to being the center of attention at her school, and with her classmates, but when a new kid named Cooper joins the class, Chamelia is a little perturbed, and somewhat jealous. Chamelia soon discovers that her jealously and rude behavior towards Cooper isn't such a good idea, so she has a better solution.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chamelia is jealous of Cooper, the new student, because he seems to steal her thunder in every way. So, she plans to distract him during his show and tell presentation. That will show him who the real star is. But Chamelia instantly regrets her actions and decides to become Cooper's friend.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chamelia the chameleon learns that sharing the spotlight can lead to finding new friends. A new kid joins their classroom and everyone thinks he's special. Chamelia is jealous and isn't friendly. She discovers that it's more fun to share enjoy others too.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the mixture of regular pictures with fabrics and photos of objects. I only wish the fabrics would have been texturized.

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

All have us have either experienced being the new kid in town or having a new kid move into our circles. I love how this book points out that being supportive is the way to happiness.

[Jazmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good book that can be used to discuss bullying. It shows kids their words/actions have an inpact.

[Baylee Burdick]

This book would be good for teaching acceptance; kindness to others; being kind to new students; plot twist; brainstorming for reading and writing(about how to accept a new student).

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

We read the book Chamelia by Ethan Long three years ago and we liked the quirky chameleon. When I was looking for some 'back-to-school' stories, I realized that there was a sequel. So I just had to borrow it from our local library.

The story is entertaining and shows how we can all have different talents and be special in our own way. I like that Chamelia learns to be more accepting of Cooper, despite the fact that he was competition for the attention she normally received.

But I didn't like that her lesson came at Cooper's expense. I really didn't like how rude Chamelia was to Cooper during his Show & Tell time, but I'm glad that she turned the situation around so quickly.

The digitally created illustrations are very colorful and cartoonish, and we loved that actual photos of cupcakes shells, and rocks are incorporated into the various scenes. Overall, it's an entertaining story with a good message and we enjoyed reading it together.

[Shannon Garren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chamelia and the New Kid in Class
Book 4 Text Set

Narrative:

We’ve been learning about friends and how to include one another. We read the book, The Invisible Boy earlier this week. Justin was the new boy in class and he became a good friend to Brian. This book is about Chamelia who is the shining star in her class. Along comes the new boy in class, Cooper. Chamelia feels like Cooper is trying to steal the spotlight from her. Will Chamelia find a way to be friends with Cooper?

Opening Moves:

*Activate background knowledge
*Connect to a previously read text
*Information about the main character

Rationale:

This book shows that even though you may not be the star of the show, you can learn to share the spotlight. Being a good friend means that you don’t need to be the center of attention at all times. Each of the books give new ways of being kind and a good friend to your classmates.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't familiar with the Chamelia series of books, so this didn't really hit home for me. But the message of the story rings true, and the illustrations are supportive of the story and exciting for kids. Not my favorite, but if you are in need of something to fill space in a "Back to School" storytime, this could work in a pinch.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

I guess I should have read the other Chamelia books to completely understand this one, but it sounds like Chamelia is a bit of a diva who likes to be the star of the show and DOES NOT like to share the lime light. She is a little mean to the new kid who looks like he just wants to be a friend to her. He is super talented and all the kids like him but that takes away the spot like from our little Chamelia. Finally she sees Coopers Qualities and decides to be Cooper's "Cheerleader" instead of being a diva and a jerk. They become friends so I guess it is best to see the good in people instead of all the bad qualities.

[Alison Rankn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book immediately drew me in by the vibrant colors and unique characters. It was a fun story that a had an important message for the readers. I enjoyed the way the characters were styled and the way the story was written. It was easy to read and follow and the message was one that was simple to find. I could use this book in my classroom at any time but especially at the beginning of the school year when new students start school. This book would help to see how important it is to be nice to all your classmates. I would recommend this book to any teacher and child because the story has a positive message and the illustrations are very modern and stylish.

[Jocelin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really cute book about getting over petty jealousies, egos, and assumed 1st impressions. I think Chamelia is a really cute character and this book really showed growth. She had misplaced jealousy of a new kid and it caused her to be not so nice. She always assumed that she had to be the center of attention, but attention can be shared. I like picture/storybooks that teach children the importance of learning lessons from their wrong assumptions towards others. In the end she made a positive decision and things improved for the better.

[Lindsay Kaiktsian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Long, E. (2013). Chamelia and the new kid in class. New York: Little, Brown.

IRA Children's Choice 2014

Choice Book


Chamelia is a charming little book about how she wants all the attention for herself. However, when a new kid comes to school, the attention isn't all on her anymore. This book teaches children how being popular at other's expenses just makes you mean. Has a great story line to keep readers engaged and amazing illustrations. One of my favorite books I've read so far.

[Barb Middleton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting digital artwork that mixes fabrics and photos. Chamelia doesn't like it when a new kid comes to school and draws attention away from her. She is unkind to him during a presentation causing the students to laugh. Then she realizes she's being mean and becomes his cheerleader. Her puppet classmates just follow her lead. This was too didactic for me. I like a more nuanced story. Grade 3 students discussed the artwork more than the story.

[Kamille Dubose-Coward · Rating 2 out of 5]

the book itself was a good book. I liked how they talk about a little girl who was always the center for attention, until a new kid comes into the classroom. books like this interest children, because kids can most likely relate to books like this, because we have all been there once or twice on being jealous of someone else new. so I kind of felt what chamelia was feeling while I was reading the book.

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story about not prejudging people and jealousy. The illustrations didn't do a whole lot for me, but I enjoyed the storyline. That overweighs everything, in this reviewer's humble opinion, since many kids choose to "point out" the new kids in town.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story about a new student and choosing to lift someone up instead of tearing them down. Really cute pictures. Lots of different topics in which to use this book!

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

http://librarianosnark.blogspot.com/2...

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Use for teaching character education and choosing kindness. I love, like its predecessor, that is uses real textiles to build color, movement & texture in the illustrations.

[Scottsdale Public Library]

Chamelia shines again, sharing the spotlight this time!

-Monty K.