As Emma recounts many times in the story, “different strokes for different folks”. This idiom means: (a) Different people like or need different things, or (b) different things are done or liked by different people. Aunt Evelyn and Uncle Elliot have so many rules about everything. Emma isn’t used to rules. She has her way of doing things. At first Emma doesn’t like all the rules, but as she gets to know her Aunt and Uncle, she soon comes to realize that differences actually bring people together and that differences should be celebrated. This transitional book is written in simple vocabulary and short, uncomplicated sentences. There are seven chapters spanning a short time frame. The book is very conversational and the narrative flows smoothly. The black and white illustrations give the reader an image of what the characters look like and the actions they are doing. The characters in the story are realistic and young readers would easily identify with them. ( )

Lexile: 500
Reading Recovery: 21
DRA: 24
Fountas Pinnel Guided Reading: L