It's the start of the school year, and nothing feels right to Justin. He didn't get the teacher he wanted, he's not in the same class as his best friend, and his little sister, Elizabeth, is starting kindergarten at his school. Elizabeth doesn't seem nervous at all. Justin is very nervous about third grade. And to top it off, he's lost his favorite stuffed animal, but he can't tell anyone, because technically he's too old to still have stuffed animals. Right? Here is third grade in all its complicated glory―the friendships, the fears, and the advanced math. Acclaimed author Rachel Vail captures third grade with a perfect pitch, and Matthew Cordell's line art is both humorous and touching. As Justin bravely tries to step out of his shell, he will step into readers' hearts. Justin Case is a 2011 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year. “This honest and heartfelt look at elementary school is illustrated with occasional doodles that perfectly suit the book and audience.” ― Kidsville News “ Justin Case , the new novel by Rachel Vail, might well be subtitled the wit and wisdom of a third-grade worrywart. By turns droll, sardonic, ironic, and even sophisticated, it chronicles the daily tribulations of life in the third-grade as told by its eponymous hero, who in the course of his school year discovers there is no heroism unless there is fear. And fear Justin has a-plenty, be it of his new dog Qwerty, his new teacher, sports, math, friends, jiggly Jell-O--or whatever--a lot comes his way, real and imagined. The writing is sharp, unpredictably clever, and establishes third-grade as a mine-field of the absurd--which is to say, real life.” ― Avi, Newbery Medalist “Vail employs easy, direct language in a rhythm and syntax that captures the essence of a charming, lovable and very believable boy. Readers transitioning to longer fiction will groan, sympathize and laugh out loud in delight. Absolutely marvelous.” ― Kirkus Reviews, starred review Rachel Vail is the author of children’s books including Justin Case, Sometimes I’m Bombaloo, and Righty and Lefty. She is also the author of several books for teens and middle grade readers, including If We Kiss, You Maybe, Gorgeous, Wonder, and Never Mind, which she wrote with Avi. Vail was born in New York City and grew up in New Rochelle, NY, just down the street from her future husband, though she didn't know that until much later. She attended Georgetown University, where she earned her B.A. in English and Theater. She lives in New York City with her husband and two sons. Matthew Cordell is the author and illustrator of Caldecott award winner Wolf in the Snow, Trouble Gum , Another Brother , hello! hello! , and Wish . He has illustrated the books of renowned authors including Philip Stead ( Special Delivery ), Rachel Vail (the Justin Case series), and Gail Carson Levine ( Forgive Me, I Meant To Do It ). He lives outside of Chicago with his wife, the novelist Julie Halpern, and their two children. Justin Case School, Drool, and Other Daily Disasters By Rachel Vail Square Fish Copyright © 2011 Rachel Vail All right reserved. ISBN: 9780312563578 September 1, Tuesday      Okay, yes. I’m worried.      Already.      I can’t help it. September 2, Wednesday      Seven days to go until the start of third grade. I can’t sleep. I’m not getting onto a good schedule. I’m still on a summer schedule. But worse.      Everybody else is asleep. Mom, Dad, Elizabeth—they’re all snoring, and I’m still up. Listening. To the silence.      It’s very loud, the silence in my room. I’m flopping around my bed, tangling in my blankets. My pajamas are starting to itch. My stuffed snake, Snakey, is giving me an evil look, like he might come to life and bite me.      I know that is not possible and I definitely don’t believe in stuff like that anymore.      Just in case, though, I’m now sitting up, with my heart pounding, throwing blankets on top of Snakey. It’s not working. I know he’s still in there, under my blankets, with his venomous stuffed teeth and glassy eyes.      I’m more awake than ever.      If I don’t get enough sleep, I am a disaster.      Sometimes I am a disaster anyway.      And I don’t just mean at ball sports. September 3, Thursday      The class lists came—finally!      My new teacher is named Ms. Burns. I don’t think that sounds too good. Burns? She is brand-new to the school. I have no idea if she will be nice or mean, old or young, pretty or an evil witch.      Of course I don’t believe in evil witches.      At least, during the day I don’t.      My little sister, Elizabeth, is starting kindergarten. She got Ms. Amara, my old kindergarten teacher, the best teacher in the entire world.      If I could have Ms. Amara again, everything would be fine.      But I don’t.      So it’s not.      I have Ms. Burns, who could be anything. She could hate me. She might hate kids with curly hair or blue sneakers. (I should have gotten the white like Mom s