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Julie Danneberg
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First Day Jitters (The Jitters Series) Paperback – February 1, 2000

by Julie Danneberg (Author), Judy Love (Illustrator)
4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 7,620 ratings
Teachers' pick
See all formats and editions
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Head back to school with a first day of school favorite! The perfect pick for new students and teachers, complete with a Certificate of Courage for First Day Completion and a First Day Memories Sheet.

Sarah Jane Hartwell has that sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach--she's nervous and doesn't want to start a new school year. She doesn't know anybody, and nobody knows her. It will be awful. She just knows it.

With a little convicing from Mr. Hartwell, Sarah Jane reluctantly heads to class. Shy at first, she's quickly befriended by Mrs. Burton and reminded that everyone at school gets the jitters sometimes.

A beloved and bestselling back to schools staple, Sarah Jane's familiar story and its surprise ending will delight seasoned students and new faces alike who are anxious about their first day.
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  1. Reading age
    5 - 7 years, from customers
  2. Part of series
    The Jitters
  3. Print length
    32 pages
  4. Language
    English
  5. Grade level
    Kindergarten - 3
  6. Lexile measure
    AD520L
  7. Dimensions
    8.06 x 0.14 x 10 inches
  8. Publisher
    Charlesbridge
  9. Publication date
    February 1, 2000
  10. ISBN-10
    158089061X
  11. ISBN-13
    978-1580890618
  12. See all details
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From the Publisher

Everyone gets the Jitters sometimes!
"Funny and insightful."—Booklist
A happy dog holding a lunchbox in his mouth

First Day (and All Year Round) Icebreakers!

1. Put students in pairs. Each student must tell their partner about a time they were nervous. Once students are finished discussing, go around the room and ask students to describe their partner’s experience.

2. Trace every student in the class on roll paper using a black marker. On one side of the body, have students write some of their favorite things. On the other side, have students write their goals for the year. Students can also color and decorate the outline of their body. Then hang up the projects and discuss.

3. Play team charades with scary situations! Write down a bunch of nerve-wracking moments (flying in a plane, meeting someone new, giving a speech, etc.) on notecards and shake them up in a hat. Divide the class into two teams; each team will take turns to send two actors to the front. The first team to guess the situation wins a point. After each charade, brainstorm coping mechanisms with the class.

The Jitters series!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-Sarah is hiding under her covers as Mr. Hartwell asks, "You don't want to miss the first day at your new school do you?" From under the blanket she replies, "I'm not going." When he reminds her how much she liked her other school and asks her to think of all the new friends she'll meet, she imagines a classroom where a paper airplane is flying, a boy is pulling his neighbor's pigtail, and another is blowing a gigantic bubble. Mr. Hartwell finally gets Sarah to stumble out of bed, eat a bit of toast, and get into the car where she slumps down into her seat. At school, the principal cheerfully welcomes her and takes her to the classroom where she is introduced as "Mrs. Sarah Jane Hartwell," the new teacher. There is a bit of foreshadowing that Sarah is an adult, but as she is always partially hidden, the ending will come as a surprise to most readers. The ink-and-watercolor illustrations are full of action and maintain the lighthearted tone. A little subplot in the paintings shows the family cat and dog having their own contest of wills while their owner is trying to get his wife up and out. The joke provides a good laugh and children may find it reassuring that they are not alone in their anxieties about new situations.
Adele Greenlee, Bethel College, St. Paul, MN
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Every child who has moved to a new school or is simply reluctant to start a school year can identify with this wittily drawn and suspensefully told story. From the moment she awakens on the fateful day to the moment she steps into the classroom, Sarah Hartwell imagines the worst. Love's ink-and-watercolor illustrations add humor to Sarah's fears, which range from bratty kids to a police search when she doesn't show up. Mr. Hartwell's reassurances don't seem to be much help. The pictures mirror the jangled nerves and outsize expectations (the double-page spread of a looming, prisonlike school is priceless) everyone faces when they are new, all of which leads to a nifty surprise ending that is a delight. Funny and insightful."—Booklist

"First Day Jitters which was written by Julie Danneberg and illustrated by Judy Love, makes a great companion book to Wemberly Worried. In the opening pages, we meet a certain Sarah Jane Hartwell, who's in the midst of her own first-day-of-school-related panic attack. Sarah Jane is buried under her covers so far that you can't even see her face. In fact, you have no idea what she looks like until the very last page of the whimsical book, which suddenly delivers a sly and funny twist..."—Newsweek

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Charlesbridge; Illustrated edition (February 1, 2000)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 158089061X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1580890618
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 5 - 7 years, from customers
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ AD520L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ Kindergarten - 3
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.06 x 0.14 x 10 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 7,620 ratings

About the author

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Julie Danneberg

Julie Danneberg

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Please check my website at www.juliedanneberg.com.

As a child, when I played at being grown-up, I never imagined myself as a writer. Instead I dreamed of being a famous chef, a secret agent, or a psychologist. I didn't end up becoming any of those things. Instead, I became a teacher.

I started off as an elementary school teacher, and thanks to my job, read lots and lots and lots of children's books. Not only was it fun, I witnessed, first hand the profound impact a good book can have on a child. It didn't take long before I was motivated to try and write books like the ones I enjoyed reading.

Later, when I became a mother, I began to seriously consider becoming a writer during our weekly trips to the library with my children. I think I enjoyed story time more than they did! The funny thing is that my kids eventually graduated from the children's section of the library and I never did. I still go to the library at least once a week, and while I don't sit in on story time anymore, I do leave every week with an armload of picture books.

Looking back I see how being a children's writer has helped me bring together many of my interests—teaching, traveling, and being creative.

After several years of teaching elementary school, I ended up teaching middle school, and I loved it. I am now newly retired and am enjoying immersing myself fulltime in writing and teaching writing to others.

My husband and I live in Boulder, Colorado where I enjoy reading, quilting, hiking, biking, and spending time with my family.

Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
4.9 out of 5
7,620 global ratings
Great for teachers!
5 Stars
Great for teachers!
Immediately read my copy once it arrived to the house. Very good read with an interesting twist.My only issue was that the book got damaged bad on its way here. Spine bent in several places and the corner was warped.
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Top reviews from the United States

William Leisher
5.0 out of 5 stars Great for teachers!
Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2023
Verified Purchase
Immediately read my copy once it arrived to the house. Very good read with an interesting twist.

My only issue was that the book got damaged bad on its way here. Spine bent in several places and the corner was warped.
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William Leisher
5.0 out of 5 stars Great for teachers!
Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2023
Immediately read my copy once it arrived to the house. Very good read with an interesting twist.

My only issue was that the book got damaged bad on its way here. Spine bent in several places and the corner was warped.
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Miss Stacy
5.0 out of 5 stars A favorite back to school classic
Reviewed in the United States on October 27, 2023
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My students enjoy having this book read aloud every school year as part of September's back to school theme. There's a "surprise" ending, and even though my students all now know it, they still giggle at the end of the book. Google "Jitter Juice" to add some fun to your read aloud. It's a great book that shows students anyone can have back to school jitters; they're not alone.
2 people found this helpful
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L. Mortimer
5.0 out of 5 stars Read Aloud
Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2024
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This book has been a great addition to my first day of school routine in my elementary classroom. The book is all about being nervous on the first day of school, especially when you’re new. The twist at the end always leaves my students in shock and they love doing follow up activities.
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Lucy
5.0 out of 5 stars Great message
Reviewed in the United States on December 23, 2023
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Super great book for kids parents an educators.
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Nicole Siepak
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Reviewed in the United States on October 5, 2023
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This book is the perfect book to read on the first day of school. I read it to my first grade students this year and they enjoyed it and thought it was funny.
One person found this helpful
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Seri
5.0 out of 5 stars Great children’s book
Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2023
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Great story. Not too long.surprise ending!!!
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Crispix
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for any age..
Reviewed in the United States on December 15, 2020
Verified Purchase
In the spirit of an honest review I have to admit I purchased this book for myself. I am a 46 yr old man who found himself with a case of the “jitters” on his first day on the job and thought this book may be of some assistance, plus it had a lot of pictures. What really surprised me was how closely my first day followed Sara’s first day, almost to the letter. My wife tried to get me out of bed as well..I told her I wasn’t going and tried to tunnel to the end of MY bed after she pulled the ‘ol open the blinds and let the sun in trick. Telling her I hate my new job didn’t work..she packed me up and sent me off. Jitters and all. I carried my Star Wars lunch box and paperback copy of First Day Jitters under my arm..honestly, its all that got me through that first day dealing with my new co-workers and new boss that pederast Hanarhan who is just bucking for a new promotion. Ah well..the book got me through a tough first day and now those jitters are just flutters. Still have no desire to go to work though..
13 people found this helpful
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Megan
5.0 out of 5 stars Phenomenal back to school book
Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2023
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My kid and I loved this book to discuss anxiety about back to school stuff. Hilarious and great surprise ending!!
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Top reviews from other countries

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K M
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!
Reviewed in Canada on September 16, 2023
Verified Purchase
I love this story and finally needed to own it for myself! I changed schools this year so it was perfect to read to my classes on the first day!
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Bookworm
5.0 out of 5 stars El mejor libro para el primer día de clases!!!
Reviewed in Mexico on September 2, 2018
Verified Purchase
Compre este libro para mis alumnos y fue todo un éxito. Les encantó!!!!
Es una buena manera de ayudar a los alumnos con los nervios el primero día de clases.
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yasu61
1.0 out of 5 stars 高すぎる。
Reviewed in Japan on August 25, 2020
Verified Purchase
短編集かと思って購入したら、短編がわずか１話でした。これは高すぎますよ。
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Mary
5.0 out of 5 stars A lovely book about new beginnings
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 1, 2014
Verified Purchase
I love this book! I had to teach an RE topic on Beginnings, the first lesson of which wanted to discuss children's own experience of new beginnings. I was trying to find a book/story to read them about a child's first day ay school. This one is perfect, with a man trying desperately to coax Sarah-Jane out of bed and out of the house to go to her new school. Sarah-Jane is very reluctant - "What if no one likes me, what if I don't like the new school, etc etc. \The great twist at the end of the story is that Sarah-Jane is the teacher! My class loved this and asked me lots of questions about how I felt on my first day at their school.
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F. Williams
5.0 out of 5 stars Good jitters
Reviewed in Canada on July 17, 2023
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Great book for the first week of school.
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