Hank Zipzer Niagara Falls, or Does It? MMGM

Niagara Falls, or Does it?

Grosset and Dunlap 2003

144 pages 

I have been reviewing books from the Hank Zipzer series, so I figured I should go back and review the first book in the series.

It is the first day of fourth grade and the teacher wants the students to write a five paragraph essay on what they did during the summer. Hank is terrified. Writing (and reading) is not one of his best subjects. Hank comes up with a plan to show what he did. His 'living essay' becomes a disaster when he tries to show and tell about his trip to Niagara Falls. He gets detention. Luckily he gets detention with Mr. Rock, the music teacher. Mr. Rock suspects Hank has learning problems and suggests that he be tested.

In addition to the books in this series being extremely humorous, they teach about kids with learning disabilities. And they show how kids like Hank can work through difficulties and overcome obstacles they have in everyday life.

Additional info: Henry Winkler is dyslexic and was not diagnosed until he was an adult. 

Now click over here to Shannon Messenger's site and read about other marvelous middle grade books!

MMGM - Hank Zipzer The Zippity Zinger

In my countdown until Henry Winkler comes to our town.

I take timeout for another of Henry Winkler's Hank Zipzer books!

Hank Zipzer The Zippity Zinger

2003 Grosset and Dunlap

24,578 words

What does Hank do when his sock drawer is empty and it is time to go play catch with his Papa Pete?
He grabs the pair of socks from on top of the laundry basket and puts them on without looking. They turn out to be bright red girls' socks with little pink monkeys on them. And, on top of that, they are his sister's good luck socks!

Well, it seems they also bring him good luck. Bam! Bam! Bam! He throws strikes one after another. They must be lucky! But his sister needs to wear them when she competes in the school's Brain Buster Competition which takes place at the same time as the School Olympiad Softball Game.

His sister HAS to wear them, so what will happen when he pitches in the softball game? Can he pitch without his lucky socks? He doesn't think so, but they had to put him in the game in the last inning.

Will he be able to throw enough zippity zingers to win the game?

Will he win a gold medal to wear around his neck?

Well, I'll leave it up to you to read and find out what happens.

This is another funny book from the duo of Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver.

Now go over to Shannon Messenger's Blog to read about other Marvelous Middle Grade Books.

MMGM - Hank Zipzer - My Dog's a Scaredy-Cat

Welcome to MMGM. After reading my post, you can click here to go over to Shannon Messenger's site for more links to middle grade books.

I am reviewing another Hank Zipzer book today.

 

Publisher: Grossett & Dunlap 2006

Book Level: 4-6  word count: 25,613

When you were a kid, didn't you just love dressing up for Halloween. So does Hank. But no one liked his outfit! And on the day of the Halloween Parade at his school, Hank was beginning to wonder why he decided to dress up as a table in an Italian restaurant, too. After the parade he listed NINE HALLOWEEN THINGS I SHOULD HAVE GONE AS.
Nick, the school bully, made fun of his costume, made fun of his sister and called him stupid in front of the whole school and neighborhood. He wanted to scare Nick out of his socks. Hank's Papa Pete suggested he build a haunted house instead.
Hank got together with his friends to make the scariest haunted house ever. Not for fun, but to scare Nick.
They had to act quick and in his excitement and being very busy making the haunted house, Hank's dog, Cheerio, is  nowhere to be found. He thinks Cheerio's disappearance is his fault and suddenly scaring Nick is the last thing on his mind.
Do they find Cheerios and do they scare Nick in their scary haunted house? You'll have to read it and find out how Hank's Halloween night ended.

This is another one of Mr. Winkler's funny books that doesn't let you down.
In my opinion grade school kids will love it.

Happy reading and writing!