Miss Lazar Is Bizarre!
#9 of 21 in My Weird School Series
What’s inside...
Miss Lazar, the janitor at Ella Mentry School and a graduate of the Clean Institute, is known for her extensive cleaning toolkit and unique methods. Beyond her custodial duties, Miss Lazar's hidden talents and expertise in cleanliness unfold, surprising the students. Part of the My Weird School series which has sold over 30 million copies, this book offers a blend of humor and quirky characters, encouraging kids to engage with reading through the adventures of Miss Lazar and her odd yet fascinating methods of maintaining the school.
Character compass
A.j.
Andrea Young
Miss Lazar
Discussion points
What do you think Miss Lazar’s superpowers teach us about helping others?
How would you feel if you had a teacher like Miss Lazar?
What lessons do you think A.J. and his friends learned from their experiences in the story?
If you could have any superpower to help your friends, what would it be and why?
How do you think the story would change if Miss Lazar wasn't in it?
Tip: Role play these questions
While discussing the book, let your child lead the conversation. See which characters or events they felt most connected to.
Use real-world examples to relate the moral lessons from the book, such as the importance of helping others and understanding unique traits in people.
Ask your child to imagine and describe a day in their school with a teacher like Miss Lazar. It encourages them to connect the story with their everyday life.
Encourage your child to think about and discuss the emotions of different characters at various points in the book. It develops empathy and a deeper understanding of the narrative.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Creativity and inventive thinking
Explanation: Miss Lazar, the janitor at Ella Mentry School, does her job in creative and unconventional ways, showing that tasks can be approached differently and still achieve great results.
Real-World Application: Children learn to think outside the box and apply creative solutions to everyday problems, fostering innovation from a young age.
Example Lesson: Appreciation for all jobs
Explanation: The character portrayal of Miss Lazar highlights the importance and value of all types of work, regardless of their traditional status or visibility.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children respect and value different roles in their community, promoting inclusivity and appreciation for diversity in work.
Example Lesson: The joy of learning
Explanation: Miss Lazar shares interesting facts and engages the students with fun activities, turning everyday school life into an adventure.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to see learning as a fun and enriching experience, which can increase their enthusiasm and engagement in educational activities.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: Students gradually understand why Miss Lazar is 'bizarre' to them, unraveling lessons in empathy and seeing things from multiple perspectives.
Real-World Application: This enables children to be more empathetic towards individuals who might seem different, encouraging a kinder, more inclusive mentality.