Title:
The Last Holiday Concert
Bibliographic Information:
Bibliographic Information:
Clements, A. (2004). The last holiday concert. New York: Scholastic, Inc.
Weekly Requirement:
Pleasure Reading High School/Middle School
Plot Description:
Weekly Requirement:
Pleasure Reading High School/Middle School
Plot Description:
The Last Holiday Concert tells the story of sixth grader Hart Evans, the most popular student in his grade, and choral director Mr. Meinhert, who unbeknownst to his students is about to lose his job due to budget cuts. Mr. Meinhert cares about his students but also gets frustrated with them because they do not pay attention or respect him. When Hart hits Mr. Meinhart with a rubber band it's the last straw for Mr. Meinhart and he tells the students that they are now in charge of putting on their holiday concert. Hart is elected as the leader and quickly learns that putting on a concert is not as easy as it looks. Both Hart and Mr. Meinhart learn important lessons and grow in the months leading up to the concert, and in the end the concert is beautiful and memorable for everyone.
Quantitative Reading Level:
Lexile 800
Qualitative Reading Analysis:
Qualitative Reading Analysis:
The story is told by a narrator in the third person in American English and told in chronological order from the beginning of the school year and ends in December after the concert. The book is divided into twenty-one chapters. In each chapter the narrator describes things happening to Hart, things happening to Mr. Meinhert, or things happening to both of them, such as their interactions with each other during choir rehearsals. Since the story is told in a linear fashion readers do not need any background knowledge to follow the narrator's changing focus in each chapter.
Content Area:
English Language Arts Standards Grades 4-6
English Language Arts Standards Grades 4-6
Maine Common Core Content Area Standard:
Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text; summarize the text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.3
Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., a character's thoughts, words, or actions).
Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., a character's thoughts, words, or actions).
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.2
Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text, including how characters in a story or drama respond to challenges or how the speaker in a poem reflects upon a topic; summarize the text.
Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text, including how characters in a story or drama respond to challenges or how the speaker in a poem reflects upon a topic; summarize the text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.3
Compare and contrast two or more characters, settings, or events in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., how characters interact).
Compare and contrast two or more characters, settings, or events in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., how characters interact).
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.5
Explain how a series of chapters, scenes, or stanzas fits together to provide the overall structure of a particular story, drama, or poem.
Explain how a series of chapters, scenes, or stanzas fits together to provide the overall structure of a particular story, drama, or poem.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.6.2
Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.
Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.6.3
Describe how a particular story's or drama's plot unfolds in a series of episodes as well as how the characters respond or change as the plot moves toward a resolution.
Describe how a particular story's or drama's plot unfolds in a series of episodes as well as how the characters respond or change as the plot moves toward a resolution.
Curriculum Suggestion:
Reading grades 4-6. The story can be read either as a class or for students to read individually. This is an excellent book to read near the December holidays. It is also an excellent book to read during National Music in Our Schools month to help teach students the importance of music in a school curriculum. It is also a good book for teachers or librarians to suggest to students who are interested in leadership roles in their school because they can learn about Hart's leadership experience.
Personal Thoughts:
The book is touching and beautifully written. One of my favorite things about the book is that it showed the point of view of Mr. Meinhert. Had it just shown Hart's point of view Mr. Meinhert would have seemed like a mean teacher, but instead his story shows him as a human being who is simply going through a difficult time. I think this book is an excellent way for students to learn that sometimes things are not what they seem with teachers, or anyone, and that patience and empathy are important virtues.
Subject/Themes:
December holidays, music, leadership
Awards:
A 2007 National Education Association poll ranked this book as one of the Teachers' Top 100 Books for Children.
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