Robert and the Practical Jokes (Robert Books)

Seuling, Barbara

ISBN 10: 0812627415 / ISBN 13: 9780812627411

Published by Cricket Books, 2006

Good condition ex-library book with usual library markings and stickers. Seller Inventory # 00056039669

Synopsis:

Rubber snakes. Plastic vomit. Shrunken heads. Robert Dorfman’s third grade classroom has become the arena for a boys-versus-girls practical jokes competition. As each side tries to outdo the other, the pranks become increasingly gross. But Robert isn’t convinced girls are all bad — until the new girl, Lucy, tricks him into eating something really disgusting. Robert is less than thrilled, then, when he learns he’ll be attending a wedding reception that involves dancing. With a girl. Still, he’s determined to learn how to dance. The paper footprints he’s taped to the floor as guides work great — until his big brother Charlie decides to play a trick on him.

Barbara Seuling understands that seemingly minor incidents can loom large in a child’s life, and Robert’s struggles with the opposite sex and his game attempts to deal with the pranks are funny and believable. Paul Brewer’s quirky black-and-white drawings enhance the book’s comic appeal.

Reviews: Grade 2-4–Robert Dorfmans third-grade classroom is out of control with practical jokes. In an attempt to end the disruptions, Mrs. Bernthal assigns the students to research a topic that borders on the creepy, disgusting, or wacky. One of the girls out-grosses them all when she talks about unusual foods and tricks Robert into eating a chocolate-covered worm. Meanwhile, the Dorfmans are invited to a wedding and not only does Robert get a new suit (yuck!), but he also learns to dance. This skill comes in handy, however, after he meets Lindsey, who redeems his faith in girls. Fans of the previous stories will not be disappointed, and new readers will have no trouble getting into the book. Humorous black-and-white illustrations are scattered throughout. This evenly paced narrative is ideal for beginning chapter-book readers.–Alison Grant, West Bloomfield Township Public Library, MI
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Gr. 2-4. Perturbed when her class is disrupted once again by a practical joke, Robert's teacher confiscates his treasured rubber snake, drops it into her desk drawer beside last week's plastic vomit, and fights back with a "Weird and Horrible" assignment. Meanwhile, Robert visits his friend Mrs. Santini at Sunset Pines Senior Home and attends a wedding. Seuling captures Robert's feelings and the middle-grade milieu with sympathy and a tinge of humor, reflected in Brewer's expressive black-and-white illustrations. Like the other chapter books in the series, this features an appealing, well-plotted story grounded in the details of everyday life. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Bibliographic Details

Title: Robert and the Practical Jokes (Robert Books)
Publisher: Cricket Books
Publication Date: 2006
Binding: Hardcover
Illustrator: Brewer, Paul
Condition: Good