Amelia Bedelia Cleans Up

Amelia Bedelia Cleans Up

by Herman Parish

Illustrated by Lynne Avril

Summary: Amelia Bedelia is a busy, creative girl. She is always up for a new challenge. Amelia Bedelia and her friends decide that they want to have an adventurers club. They set out on an adventure one day and find an empty lot. The empty lot is perfect for a tree house. The girls get their parents to help them clean the lot, so they can use it for their adventurers headquarters. While hanging out at the lot to make plans for the adventures club the girls see a for sale sign. They are so sad that the lot and tree will be gone and turned into something else. They find out that a lady named Mrs. West owns the lot. They set out to meet Mrs. West and try to convince her not to sell the lot. They find out that Mrs. West needs repairs on her house and needs the money to help with the repairs. Mrs. West needs the girls help to find her cats and if they can, then she will think about holding off on selling for a little while longer. While looking for the cats Amelia Bedelia discovers some old classic cars in Mrs. West garage. Mrs, West does not want the cars any longer. Amelia Bedelia has lots of connections around town and she calls her friend Wild Bill the used car sales man to come check out the cars. Wild Bill is able to sell the cars and get enough money for Mrs. West so she does not have to sell the lot. Instead she turns it into a public park with a great tree house for adventurers.

Teaching Note: Amelia Bedelia is very literal with her language in the story. The book is a great read aloud to use with 1st or 2nd grade or ESL students. In the back of the book is a section with all the "Two ways to say it" phrases used by Amelia Bedelia in the story. An example is "I'll eat my hat! really means "I'll be super surprised." A fun way to explore hyperbole's with young learners or beginning english learners.