Awards

The Pennsylvania Center for the Book celebrates outstanding books, authors, and literary achievement through four signature awards: The Baker’s Dozen: Thirteen Best Books for Family Literacy, The Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award, The Lynd Ward Graphic Novel Prize, and Pennsylvania Great Reads from Great Places. Together, these programs recognize excellence in family literacy, children’s poetry, graphic novels, and books that reflect Pennsylvania’s rich literary heritage. By honoring exceptional literary works and connecting readers with engaging and meaningful stories, the Pennsylvania Center for the Book promotes lifelong reading, literacy, and a love of literature across the Commonwealth and beyond.

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Mr. S

By Monica Arnaldo
Published by (Katherine Tegen Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers)
Young Readers

When the children in room 2B arrive to school on the first day, they do not see a teacher in the front of the class, but they do see an impressive sandwich. As the morning goes on, the students begin to wonder if the sandwich might indeed be the mysterious “Mr. S” who is charged with leading their class. After all, sandwich begins with the letter “S!” Adults and children with both get a kick out of this comical and mysterious tale, which to the careful observer, also has a second storyline taking place outside the classroom window. Throughout the school day, the children, who are diverse in skin tone, ability, and personality, work to find the answer to their question: Where, and who, is their teacher? This book will whet readers’ appetites for a good story and ends with a surprising and delicious twist!

Mr. S book cover

Pennsylvania Center for the Book Awards

Baker's Dozen 2024 Winner

Book Activities & Discussion Ideas

Tips for Using with Children

Brainstorm a fun list of possible names for the teacher that start with the letters “San” as shown in the teacher photos inside the back cover of the book. How many names can the children think of? Children can also extend the story by doing some of the activities the class did in the book, like sandwich alphabet, painting, and singing “Mary had a little ham.”

Tips for Using with Families

Adults can encourage children to put their prediction skills to work while reading Mr. S. Before reading, adults can ask children to look at the illustrations on the cover and beginning pages of the book. What do they think this book will be about? While reading, adults can pose questions to hear what young readers predict will happen next in the story. Do they think Mr. S could be the real teacher of the class? Who is the man at the beginning of the story who goes outside in the storm? Adults can brainstorm other questions that will support prediction and understanding of the story. It might be helpful for adults to also do their own predicting ahead of reading and consider what questions their child might ask during the story. What answers can support understanding, without giving the ending away?