For many children, learning to write in cursive is something they eagerly anticipate. As the school year starts, however, new third grader Sean McFerrin is nervous. School is hard work for Sean, and cursive is one more worry—what if he can’t do it? Luckily, Sean has a terrific teacher—one who keeps him fully engaged from the first day. When Mrs. Tovani finally does start teaching Sean and his classmates cursive, she emphasizes the importance of practice and offers an intriguing incentive—the promise of induction into the “John Hancock Club.” Sean soon has favorites among the letters he’s learning as he works toward mastering the lowercase and uppercase alphabets. In the meantime, he and his classmates are also learning about John Hancock and the Declaration of Independence in preparation for the day when Mrs. Tovani announces they are ready to sign their names—with quill and ink no less—as newest members of the John Hancock Club. Louise Borden captures the realistic anxiety and ultimate pride of a child for whom things don’t always come easily, as well as the excitement of a classroom working toward a common goal in this engaging story. (Ages 6–9)

Sean McFerrin and his third grade class in Room 121 can't wait to learn how to write in cursive handwriting.

Their teacher, Mrs. Tovani, promises that whoever learns to use a legible and elegant cursive will be inducted into the John Hancock Club. Joining a club sounds exciting, but who is John Hancock?

As Sean and his classmates practice cursive writing, they also learn about John Hancock, a patriot in the American Revolution who had a very special signature and who was cheered in an extraspecial way:

"Huzzah! Huzzah!"

Will Sean's cursive ever be good enough for him to join a club named after such an important man? The surprises in store for Sean and his friends make for the best third grade year ever! Huzzah!