I did not finish this book. I really wanted to like it. Sharon Creech has written a couple of my favorites, but it didn't hook me, and I put it down. I wasn't sure how old the kids were. They seemed like they were in late middle school or early high school based on the books the were apparently reading in class, like How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff, but they were acting much younger. I don't think this book would find an audience with many kids.

Eager to reach because of the author's wonderfully flawed characters in other books have drawn me in. Instead, this felt like a book meant to be read aloud to students... a little heavy-handed in the "joys" of free-writing and discovering oneself and finding the good in others.  But it felt like a longer book that had all the plot development chopped out of it to fit the publisher's page limit.  Main character Gina and her Italian family were interesting but other than dressing "colorfully" and being timid, along with snarky comments about the neighbor family with many kids, we don't fully appreciate her.  And the imaginative Antonio, who moves next door and is in her class for a short time. But there is so much more we want to know about Antonio and his non-traditional household. (Most poignant moment is Antonio's "No one calls me son.")   Rule-breaker teacher, Ms. Lightstone, also seems underdeveloped (her headaches -- are they part of something larger?)
Sorry, but something is underdeveloped or missing for me from my expectations.

Nice story of a girl coming into her own with the help of some friendly assistants.  I think this book is a great addition to a middle school library.

First off, as a teacher, I would love to work in the world of this book where one can do creative writing on a daily basis and there is no mention of standardized assessments. One Time follows a young girl named Gina who had gotten in trouble in the past because of her active imagination and daydreaming. An ELA teacher and a mysterious neighbor help Gina to foster her creativity. 100% clean and would not have any issue recommending to upper elementary and middle school students.

I already loved Sharon Creech, and this one did not disappoint. Gina Filomena suffers from an overactive imagination. Gina just wants to be herself—which at times, causes her to feel lonely.

A mysterious family moves in next door, and Gina meets Antonio. He also a boy has an imagination that seems to equal hers. When he ends up in the same classroom with her, she has high hopes for the year. 

This book addresses so many of the fears that we tend to hold on to and encourages readers to accept and build upon the incredible things we each hold inside of us. A must have for upper-elementary/middle school classroom libraries!

Sharon Creech is a beloved author. One Time is delightful and I expect my students to love Creech as much as I did when I was in school.

This is a beautiful book about a memorable teacher and how she inspires her class to love writing.  It is also a character study of people in the class, including Gina, a shy girl who learns she is a writer, and Antonio, a charismatic boy who helps people see the best in themselves.  The chapters are short, and there is plenty of humor, making it a choice pick for reluctant readers.  Recommended.

This is quite simply one of the very best books I have read in a long time.

Gina Filomena is a girl who is unashamedly herself.  She loves to wear the clothes her Italian grandmother sends her even though they are different than what the other kids wear.  She loves the stories of Angel  Lucia her grandmother sends with each gift.  Angel Lucia is a god-like being that punishes or rewards people for their poor or good behavior in her grandmother’s village.  As Gina internalizes the stories, she uses the lessons in each story in her dealings with others.  One day, Antonio moves in next door.  He and his family are mysterious and reclusive, but there is an undeniable connection between the two children.  Antonio eventually starts school and is placed in Gina’s class, and becomes very popular, often leaving Gina on the outside looking in.  Miss Lightfoot, the teacher, leads the class through a study of words and as the kids become immersed in the words and in their writing, they begin to discover who they are.  Just as mysteriously as he appeared, Antonio disappears, leaving a hole in class and, as the class begins to move on, Gina still remembers Antonio. 

The above summary doesn’t  do any justice to this story; I can’t seem to put into words how much this book spoke to me.  Every single word Creech wrote seemed intentional and purposeful; the flow and language of the story was as beautiful as the story itself.  I want to be like Gina, I want to start writing again, and I want to just sit and listen and observe like Miss Lightfoot’s class.   I’ve been saving my 5-star ratings for books I will read again. This is a book I know I will read again and get so much more out of the second time.  This book deserves notice, not just by state reading award committees, but by national award committees, too.

This book questions the rules and the fears that people tend to hold on to and encourages kids to accept and build upon the incredible things we each hold inside of us.

Thank you Harper Collins and NetGalley for sharing this book in exchange for an honest review. I loved this novel in verse about being yourself and friendship. I loved how unique each character was and the power of imagination. I also always love reading about teachers who inspire children. 💜

One Time by Sharon Creech is absolutely darling. It is a book for whimsical, writerly kiddos longing to be seen. As a teacher to a classroom entirely made of students in CPS custody, I found myself especially drawn to the boy who was never called son. I think my students will be able to see themselves in his (Antonio's) character; my hope is that his story will help them see just how how much they, too, are missed when their time in the classroom comes to an end.

Like all Creech books, it was a comfortable read. Nothing too exciting. I liked how writing process was discussed and encouraged. I liked the quirky, every day characters with everyday concerns.

I loved this book-I've read most of Sharon Creech's books and this is in my top 2! A sweet story of a character who doesn't know who she wants to be, and a teaacher who gently guides the class  in their growth. Its funny, moving, realistic, and even as an adult, I felt comforted and wanted to be in this class!  Excellent book, would be a great to use as a read-aloud.

Sharon Creech never disappoints, and this title is not an exception. This is an excellent addition to any classroom library.

First, thank you to @NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this beautiful story. This is a story of the importance of imagination. It is also a story about the importance of making sure your friends know how you feel about them. It is also a story about respecting differences. I loved Gina Filomena’s story and how her teacher inspired not only her, but all of her students to write. Writing is a powerful tool. I cannot wait to share this book with other teachers. I have one wondering at the end about Gina and Antonio but I will not share that here because I do not want to give anything away! Sharon Creech did not disappoint.

Thanks to NetGalley for this special book from Sharon Creech. We know that Sharon Creech knows about special teachers. You only have to read Love That Dog and Hate That Cat to understand. This time young Gina Filomena tells the story of her year with a new teacher, Miss Lightstone, who approaches things very differently from the terrible, pointy teacher the year previous. Gina has a great imagination which feels good instead of bad after meeting a new neighbor, Antonio, mysterious with a beautiful smile, who just happens to be in her class! There happens a world full of mystery and magic that connects to writing in this story when the class, and perhaps Miss Lighthouse, too, begins to answer the questions, "Who am I?" and "Who do I want to be?"  
          Other characters, classmates, neighbors, a very fun Auntie and Uncle Pasta (you must read to discover why the name) plus Gina's grandmother, Nonna Filomena who lives far away are made memorable, too. It makes a place one wants to be! I could not stop reading and my own wide smile appeared at the surprising end. Teachers, you will want this for a read-aloud!

Gina has an "overactive imagination" which cause her to be a bit of an outcast but when she meets a mysterious new neighbor with a brilliant smile and is immersed in her teacher's quirky class and writing instruction her life becomes full of possibilities.

Overall I enjoyed this but it seems more a "teacher" book than a student book.

Just like most books by Sharon Creech, this one is a winner. One Time is a sweet story about a quirky girl, an unexpected friend, and an amazing teacher that doesn’t always follow the rules. Oh, and PASTA!!

I just loved this slim novel about Gina, a fifth grader with a new and creative teacher, and how she and her class learned to be themselves. I got so many great ideas I'm going to use with my school-age programs (when we finally have programs again), one of the simplest of which is to simply start writing with, "One time..." There are a few weaknesses, which brought it down to a 4-star review, but the good definitely outweighed the questionable.

Gina is a fifth grader who is taken with her new neighbor, Antonio. It's Antonio's smile that gets her; it get bigger and better the longer he looks at her. Also, his imagination is free and he feels comfortable sharing both his smile and his imaginings with others. Through him and his family, she and her family come to better understand the other people in their neighborhood and at school.

Antonio is the new kid in Gina's class and Miss Lightfoot is a new teacher. The class is full of distinct characters, most of whom seem a little too sweet for 5th graders, IMO, but if you can get past that, it's a lot of fun to watch as they grow and come into themselves. Miss Lightfoot begins to hold Quiet Wednesdays, where the class is silent; they can read and write and do work on their own, but there is no talking. At first, the kids struggle, both with staying quiet and with writing, but Miss Lightfoot is patient and eventually they find their footing. She starts them off with one question on the board, "Who are you?" then another, "What could you be?" along with the first lines of some famous books.

Then, Antonio stops coming to class. Gina never sees him at home, either. For a while there are questions, and then another new kid joins the class, Gina stays home sick for a few days, and everything is changed. The last chapter of the book is about Gina and her classmates as adults and the reader finds out what they became.

There is no explanation for what happened to Antonio except that he moved away. It felt abrupt and strange, but his family is strange, so that shouldn't be a surprise. I felt for Miss Lightfoot and her headaches, which were the impetus for quiet Wednesdays, but it felt like a stretch for these to last all day, every Wednesday (the quiet days, not the headaches). Overall, I loved the caring between the students, teacher, and families.

My thanks to HarperCollins and NetGalley for an advance reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book felt really magical and I enjoyed how the author painted so many scenes in my head. I loved how the teacher, Ms Lightstone, was so creative and knew exactly was best for her students. It was such a creative book and took me into a new world. This book is perfect for readers ages 7-10.