Mrs Cooney Is Loony!
#7 of 21 in My Weird School Series
What’s inside...
The book is part of the 'My Weird School' series, revolving around the weirdness of Ella Mentry School. In this book, the school nurse, Mrs Cooney, is so beautiful that A.J. has a crush on her. However, the students suspect that she is actually a secret vampire waiting to suck their blood. With more than 30 million books sold, the My Weird School series really gets kids reading! In this seventh book in the My Weird School series, A.J. has his first crush! And it’s on the school nurse, Mrs. Cooney. She is the most beautiful and nicest lady in the history of the world. But are her charms just a cover for her secret identity as an international spy? Will A.J.'s love for Mrs. Cooney win out over his love for America? Perfect for reluctant readers and word lovers alike, Dan Gutman’s hugely popular My Weird School chapter book series has something for everyone. Don’t miss the hilarious adventures of A.J. and the gang!
Character compass
A.j.
Andrea Young
Mrs. Cooney
Discussion points
Why do you think Mrs. Cooney behaves the way she does in the story?
How would you feel if you were a student in Mrs. Cooney's class?
What lessons do you think the characters learned by the end of the book?
If you could give Mrs. Cooney advice, what would you tell her?
How do you think the story would change if it was told from Mrs. Cooney's perspective?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before reading, ask your child what they think the story might be about based on the title and cover. This will set a curious mindset.
Pause at key moments in the story to ask how your child feels about the characters' decisions, fostering emotional intelligence.
After finishing the book, encourage your child to summarize the story in their own words, enhancing comprehension and recall.
Connect themes from the book to your child's real-life experiences to make the story more relatable and deepen understanding.
Use humor, like that found in the book, during your discussion to keep the tone light and engaging.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: Throughout the book, the character Mrs. Cooney is initially misunderstood by the students, but as they learn more about her unique quirks, they start to empathize and understand her better.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children the importance of getting to know someone before making judgments, encouraging them to be more understanding and patient in their daily interactions.
Example Lesson: The Value of Humor
Explanation: Mrs. Cooney's eccentric behavior brings a lot of humor to the classroom, showing children how laughter can lighten the atmosphere and bring people together.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate humor and its role in creating friendships and easing tense situations, which can be very helpful in their social interactions at school or in playgroups.
Example Lesson: Creativity in Problem Solving
Explanation: The students come up with creative solutions to understand and support their teacher, Mrs. Cooney, which demonstrates out-of-the-box thinking.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think creatively when faced with challenges, understanding that sometimes unconventional methods can be effective solutions in both academic and personal matters.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: The students work together to understand and support their teacher, which highlights the importance of teamwork.
Real-World Application: This shows children the benefits of collaborating with others to achieve common goals, reinforcing the importance of teamwork in school projects and family activities.