This book is written in letters between a boy and his mother as he tries to convince her to allow him to adopt an iguana. This is an excellent book to use for an introduction to persuasive writing... grades 2-4. ( )

Independent Reading Level: 2nd-5th Grade
Awards: 2005 IRA Notable Book, 2006-2007- Named Best Children's Book Colorado, Georgia, and Kentucky, Montana Treasure State Award 2005, and Washington Children's Choice Award

Genre
Humorous stories
Picture books for children
Subject
Boys
Iguanas as pets
Mothers
Mothers and sons
Persistence in children
Personal letters
Pets

Age: 3-8 years old

Alex just has to convince his mom to let him have an iguana, so he puts his arguments in writing. He promises that she won't have to feed it or clean its cage or even see it if she doesn't want to. Of course Mom imagines life with a six-foot-long iguana eating them out of house and home. But Alex presents his arguments. Does he get his iguana?

Adorable book about a boy who REALLY wants an Iguana. He writes persuasive notes to his mom about why he should have an iguana and she writes back with counter arguments. All of the letters are creatively signed and the pro/con arguments are well thought out. This would make an excellent book to teach children about debate.

“I Wanna Iguana” is a funny book filled with colorful and descriptive drawings that really express the character’s feelings and opinions on the topic of a pet iguana. Alex, the main character, really wants a pet iguana, so he spends the bulk of this book trying to convince his mom to let him get one. His mother, in turn, replies to his arguments with her own, as she does not believe that she should get an iguana due to a variety of different reasons, such as the fact that Alex cannot keep his room clean. The illustrations correspond with each argument that both mother and son provide, such as when Alex’s mom asks if Alex would still want to have an iguana if it would survive until he would marry someone, and the author provides a picture of an iguana and Alex getting married. These humorous illustrations add to the overall appeal of this book to readers, as the text is not the only thing that they need to be able to understand in order to figure out what the author is trying to say/display. The main message of this book that the author is attempting to reveal to readers is that it is important to support and be persistent with what you want if you are truly passionate about something. This is especially geared towards a younger audience, as smaller children tend to be more interested in getting pets but their parents are more hesitant as they believe that they are not quite ready for that responsibility. Younger children are also much more persistent and “set in their ways” so that adds to my belief that this book would serve as a more beneficial text for them. ( )

Alex and his mother write notes back and forth in which Alex tries to persuade her to let him have a baby iguana for a pet.

Alex's friend, Mikey, is moving and can't take his pet iguana with him. Alex wants the iguana and is afraid that his friend, Stinky, will end up with the lizard and that will mean bad news for the iguana. To get the iguana Alex must convince his mother that he can handle having a pet, so he puts his argument into writing. This fun and witty series of argument and counter-argument letters is amusing to read and teaches students the art of writing letters and a successful argument.

I Wanna Iguana is a realistic fictional picture book that holds dialogue between a mother and son. The son is trying to persuade his mother to get an Iguana by writing her letters. The text is conversations held through back and forth letters. This book would be a book for students in second to fourth grade. I think this book has great intentions but could send a wrong message to students at a young age. The boy begs his mother for this pet while she says no and at the end surprises him. This could lead for children to think they will get anything they want if they continue to beg. He even states he would trade in his brother for this pet Iguana. I believe the book is cute but shows unrealistic expectations for children. The big idea I believe is that the boy tried his hardest each week by writing letters and being creative to try to get the pet he wanted. The mother noticed this or just wanted him to continue to write his letters. ( )

A sweet story. Good mentor text for opinion/argument pieces as this writing models speaking to an audience, giving reasons for your thinking, and interesting closing statements.

Lexile: AD460 ( )

I wanna Iguana is a comical tale of a young boy and his Mother corresponding through letters on whether or not he can get his friend's Iguana when he moves.
This book does a great job of introducing persuasion and opinion writing to young readers and writers and is truly a funny and well written book.

This book was so cute! I can remember writing notes to my mom when I was younger about things that I wanted too. I think this book is great for introducing writing letters or persuasive papers to students because it is very repetitive. they willl be able to pick up on the idea of what to include in a letter. Students will definitely be able to relate to this book as well. ( )

I Wanna Iguana is another one of my favorite books! This book is all about a little boy trying to convince his mom to let him keep his friend’s iguana. I really like this book because of the style of writing, and the detailed scenarios and pictures. The entire book is written in letters back and forth between Alex and his mother. The first page begins with “Dear Mom, I know you don’t think I should have Mikey Gulligan’s baby Iguana when he moves,…” and continues with his reason and then signs then every time he signs the letter with a great characteristic about himself. The next page is then from Alex’s mom and starts with “Dear Alex,…” and continues to explain why she believes he is not ready to keep the iguana. I really enjoy the different style of writing instead of the standard first or third person story telling. I also enjoy this story because of the detailed scenarios and pictures that are brought about in the letters between Alex and his mom. For example, in one letter Alex mentions he will be married by the time the iguana is full grown, and the mom then comes back and questions how he will ever get married if he is living with a six-foot long reptile. Along with this comes a picture of Alex as an adult, getting married, with his lizard who is now bigger than him, holding the rings. These crazy scenarios and pictures make the story silly and fun for everyone! I believe the main message of this book is to never give up on something you really want! ( )

Alex just has to convince his mom to let him have an iguana, so he puts his arguments in writing. Hilarity and lessons ensue.

Such a cute book! ( )

I have had so much fun in the classroom reading this funny story aloud and discussing it with the Grade 3 kids. The illustrations are so bizarre, funny, and colorful that they added a great deal to the story. Not only did my students love it, but I did too! ( )

Good for introducing how to write letters and the different types of letters, talks about pets and responsibility.

A little boy and his mother write each other notes back and forth discussing why the little boy should be allowed to own a pet iguana. The notes get kind of silly at times but a lot of good points about the realities of taking care of a pet are brought up as well. The illustrations of the sillier notes are sure to bring about giggles. I'm not 100% sure of how this will work as a read aloud but it's definitely on my list of potential story time books. ( )

A little boy and his mother write each other notes back and forth discussing why the little boy should be allowed to own a pet iguana. The notes get kind of silly at times but a lot of good points about the realities of taking care of a pet are brought up as well. The illustrations of the sillier notes are sure to bring about giggles. I'm not 100% sure of how this will work as a read aloud but it's definitely on my list of potential story time books. ( )

A little boy and his mother write each other notes back and forth discussing why the little boy should be allowed to own a pet iguana. The notes get kind of silly at times but a lot of good points about the realities of taking care of a pet are brought up as well. The illustrations of the sillier notes are sure to bring about giggles. I'm not 100% sure of how this will work as a read aloud but it's definitely on my list of potential story time books. ( )

A little boy and his mother write each other notes back and forth discussing why the little boy should be allowed to own a pet iguana. The notes get kind of silly at times but a lot of good points about the realities of taking care of a pet are brought up as well. The illustrations of the sillier notes are sure to bring about giggles. I'm not 100% sure of how this will work as a read aloud but it's definitely on my list of potential story time books. ( )

I found this book on a Walmart sales table and did a pretty good job embarrassing my husband as I busted up laughing in front of all the other people looking. This book is a riot - the letters between the son and the mother are exactly the sort of conversation a kid and a parent would have on the subject of getting a new pet, and the illustrations make it even better. I don't have kids, but I bought the book anyway, and I'll probably make all my houseguests read it. Right up there with Alien Opposites. ( )

This book is good if you're looking for something persuasive, and that's where it's mentioned most in professional books. It's also funny. The entire text consists of an exchange of letters between a mother and a son wherein the son is attempting to convince his mother to let him adopt his friend's pet iguana. This is one of those books that can be appreciated for a couple of reasons. Well done. And the illustrations are funny too. ( )

"I Wanna Iguana" is a very humorous story! Through a series of notes Alex is trying to convince his mom to let him have his friend's iguana, as his friend is moving away. His reasoning, forms of persuasion and the way he signs his notes are very cute.

An enjoyable story for anyone of any age to read! ( )