Book Description

Stargirl. From the day she arrives at quiet Mica High in a burst of color and sound, the hallways hum with the murmur of “Stargirl, Stargirl.” She captures Leo Borlock’s heart with just one smile. She sparks a school-spirit revolution with just one cheer. The students of Mica High are enchanted. At first.

Then they turn on her. Stargirl is suddenly shunned for everything that makes her different, and Leo, panicked and desperate with love, urges her to become the very thing that can destroy her: normal. In this celebration of nonconformity, Newbery Medalist Jerry Spinelli weaves a tense, emotional tale about the perils of popularity and the thrill and inspiration of first love.

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Reviews (468)

A girl at her best.
Star Girl, written by Jerry Spinelli, is a wonderful fiction novel. It is a story about a girl in Arizona who has just come from home schooling to the town's high school. Her name is Stargirl and she has a lot of interesting qualities about her. She wears different clothing then most girls and acts completely different also. She even has a pet rat named Cinnamin. One day in school a boy catches her eye. Even though she is so different there is something about her that he can't stop thinking about. At first she is lonely, then she joins the cheerleading squad and suddenly she was one of the most popular girls in school. Then she does something that makes the cheerleaders turn their backs on her and then she is unpopular again. This boy keeps on seeing and likes her a lot. They finally make it public that they like each other and then before you know it, everyone is interested on how their relationship will work. The ending in this book is amazing. So read the book to find out what happens to Stargirl and her pet rat, Cinnamin.

Thank you, Mr. Spinelli...
Unlike many of the other reviews I will not summarize the plot as well, but give a public thank you to Mr. Spinelli for such a poignant story. Having just finished the audio version, I must applaud both the verbal performance (by John Ritter, excellent choice and we miss him dearly) and the excellent content.

As an adult reader, it caused me to reflect on my years in high school and remember, with some embarrassment, my need to conform and not rock the boat of popularity. I feel the book goes much beyond the surface story, touching on the deep human need to make a difference in other people's lives. Unfortunately, that longing is often lost early in life - the need for acceptance takes center stage and rarely gives up the spotlight.

This story made me laugh and cry, and shall join the short list of books I would take with me if ever stranded on a desert island. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Those wanting more of Mr. Spinelli's excellent work should also read the audio book Loser, performed superbly by Steve Buscemi.

I hope you're still out there, Stargirl. Please keep your eye on me, too.

To conform or not to conform, that is the question.
Stargirl, with a name like that she would have to be an original and she is. No one at Mica High has ever met anyone so non-conformant to the group norm. Stargirl sings happy birthday to student in the cafeteria while playing her ukulele. She drops money on the sidewalk for little kids to find. She cheers for BOTH teams at sports tournaments. Can anyone this selfless and caring survive the pressure to "follow the unwritten school rules" of behavior? Will her individuality be squashed or will the town of Mica, Arizona never be the same?

Karen Woodworth-Roman

*GIRL*
WOW! I got this book in a small book shop in an upstate town. It had an interesting cover and so i thought it would be interesting. I believe in the phrase "you cant judge a book by its cover". So i thought i would give it a shot. I read it in one day!!! I was shocked when i found out that it was narrorated by a boy. Usually girls narerate. Besides the point... It is a great book about how a boy falls in love with a girl who is not what everyone else is. When the whole school stops liking Stargirl, Leo is torn between stargirl and the school. It is a great book about how being different has its ups and its downs. It showed me that being different is something that everyone should try and that not following the croud is something that is not always a good thing. It tought me how to be different in a good way.

Making Conformity Unpopular
I'm not the biggest fan of Spinelli. Although he's a wonderfully artistic writer, his works usually depress me. He has changed my mind with his book, "Stargirl". Reading the book, I recognized the pressures for conformity not only from my high school days, but even now, during my lasT years of college. I both wanted to be and hated the character Stargirl. She's everything we SHOULD be, but never come close to becoming. I hope this book doesn't remain in the young adult circle, but spreads to the adult section as well. A winner. ... Read more

Book Description

Read by S. Ephatha Merkerson
Approx. 3.75 hours
3 cassettes
He wasn’t born with the name Maniac Magee. He came into this world named Jeffrey Lionel Magee, but when his parents died and his life changed, so did his name. And Maniac Magee became a legend. Even today kids talk about how fast he could run; about how he hit an inside-the-park “frog” homer; how no knot, no matter how snarled, would stay that way once he began to untie it. But the thing Maniac Magee is best known for is what he did for the kids from the East Side and those from the West Side.
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Reviews (517)

The Boy of Many Feats
Running short of books to read? You're looking for a good to read? Well look no further because Maniac Magee, by Jerry Spinelli, is waiting for you. Jeffrey Lionel Magee, AKA Maniac, is just a twelve year old, scruffy, orphaned boy but as soon as he sets foot in Two Mills, Pennsylvania a legend is born. He's as fast as sound: bunting a frog for a homerun, scoring 49 touchdowns in one day, and beating a kid running backwards and the kid was running forwards. Unfortunutly, Two Mills is split into two ends, with Whites on the West End and Blacks on the East End but does Maniac know about the difference between skin colors? No he doesn't.
There are many events that take place in the story to move along. First, Maniac's (then Jeffrey) parents die in a famous trolley crash. Then, he goes to live with his Aunt Dot and Uncle Dan who hate each other. After that he runs away at a chorus recital and isn't seen for a year. Next, he wanders into Two Mills and makes 4 appearances that day, also getting the nickname Maniac. Next, he starts to live at the Beales. Then he leaves the Beales and runs away to the zoo. Then, he is found by an old man,Grayson, who lets Maniac stay with him. After that, Grayson died. Maniac runs away to Valley Forge waiting for death. Then he meets Russell and Piper McNab, who invite him to their run-down house which will later be turned into a pillbox. After that, he provoaks Russell and Piper to stay in school by doing "heoric" feats. After that, Maniac doesn't stay in one set place and starts goes all over. Finally, Maniac stays with the Beales forever. Those are some important events in Maniac Magee.
Many people have different opinions about Maniac Magee. I believe this is an excellant book, everything clearly stated. I would recommend it to kids who are in thier seventh month of fourth grade through their fifth grade. I liked everything about this book except one thing which is the way the McNabs' house is described with roaches and things like that. This book truly deserves its five stars.

Nothin' Scares Magee
Maniac Magee is another awesome novel by Jerry Spinelli. Jeffrey(a.k.a Maniac) Magee has very bad luck when it comes to families. He can never seem to stay with a family for very long. His parents die in a train crash. After that he runs away from his aunt and uncle. He ends up in Two Mills, Pennsylvania.
Two Mills is split into two sections. East End, which is all black people, and West End is all white people. While in Two Mills, Maniac meets a girl named Amanda Beale. She lends Maniac a book to read. Maniac then goes to a man named Finsterwald's backyard. There was a kid there. Maniac carries the "petrified" boy off the lawn. The boy ran away. Maniac is then served dinner by the Pickwell family. They didn't even notice him. After that Maniac plays baseball with John McNab and is the first person ever to hit a homerun off of him. He then ventures into the East End(Remember, Maniac is white). He meets Mars Bar Thompson. Mars Bar rips the book that Amanda gave to Maniac. Amanda comes to the rescue and invites Maniac to stay at her house. To know what happens next, you have to read this book.
I really like the way Jerry Spinelli writes. I'd really recommend this book and other books by Jerry Spinelli to people of all ages who love adventures.

Uh...no...
Right...well, I suppose you could say I didn't fully understand the point of this book. A little boy's parents die, he has to live with his feuding Aunt and Uncle and then he runs away one day. When he finds a place to live he runs away. The book is about a boy running for no reason....right...as I said I didn't fully understand the point.

my review
My name is Carmen and i'm the reviewer for the book,Maniac Magee.I think this book deserves one star, because it doesn't make sence.This book is talking about a boy who is running for no reason.I don't see why he didn't stay at home because he has to find places to sleep and it's cold at night.I cant compare this book to a movie because no one has ever made a movie like this or maybe iv'e

Rakiem's Book Review
(...) I give the book Maniac Magee five stars.The reason why I give Maniac Magee a five star rating is because I read this book in fifth grade and most of the books that I read a second time are boring but this one was different.The book is about a kid named Jeffrey Magee and something bad happened to his parents so now he's an orphan and he goes through a lot as a kid.So I think that you should really go buy this book or go check it out of the libary because this a veryawsome book. ... Read more

Book Description

Now available in paperback is Newbery Medalist Jerry Spinelli's hilarious, poignant story of cocky seventh-grade superjock Crash Coogan. ... Read more

Reviews (114)

A cool story about a cool guy and one not so cool.
Crash is a not very nice 7th grader who knows he is the best athlete in school and let's everyone know it. He loves being on the football team and scoring the most touchdowns. He can't stand his neighbor, Penn, who is a Quaker and vegetarian and always perky. He won't even shoot back with a water gun. Crash and his best friend, Mike, play many pranks on Penn but he is still cheerful. One day, Crash's beloved grandfather has a stroke and Crash's life starts to turn around. He becomes nice to his little sister and stops playing jokes on Penn. Finally, he makes the biggest choice of his life when he lets Webb win a big relay race to impress Webb's great-grandfather. It's a good-strange feeling for Crash. Now they are best friends! I think this is a great book for everyone, even if you don't like football.

A novel about the typical jock is anything but ordinary
I first read Spinelli's CRASH during the sixth grade for assigned reading at Waldron Mercy Academy, my private grade school. I was pulled in from page one and couldn't help but laugh out loud at the adventures and the misadventures of Crash Coogan, who got his nickname all because of a long ago incident involving a football helmet and his cousin, Bridget, who Crash knocked down into three feet of post-blizzard snow. Crash is not an inherently bad kid - he's got his flaws just like the rest of the human population. In CRASH, Spinelli takes the archetypal bullying jock and narrates through him, making this book anything but ordinary.

Nonetheless, Crash is a bully. Enter Penn Webb, his target. Why pick on poor Penn, you ask? Why not pick on Penn? is more of the question here. Penn Webb is a skinny Quaker boy, mild-mannered and with a heart of gold. He wears used clothes that are painfully outdated, he's joined the cheerleading squad, his aging parents look like grandparents, and he officially lives in the dinkiest house in the entire universe (a former garage). So Penn, very obviously flawed with qualifications to make him an outcast, must now endure teasing from Crash and his best friend, Mike DeLuca.

Spinelli captures how spoiled and materialistic kids can be today, only they most likely don't view themselves that way. I remember it took me a long time to wake up and realize that yes, I was a spoiled child. All Crash cares about are new sneakers, football, and being the best footballer he can be. Pretty shallow, eh? Crash is a self-centered bully who only cares about himself and how he is viewed by others which, by the way, as I am sure you realize, is a natural thing and has been since the beginning of time.

Oddly enough, Penn Webb, geeky, lanky Penn, has things that Crash desires. He has his parents' full and undivided attention. He's won the affections of the class beauty and despite the fact Crash is a star footballer, he cannot win her over the way charming Penn has. So despite having some things Crash wants, expensive sneakers included, he is not happy. When Crash's grandfather, Scooter, whom Crash absolutely adores and has always had a tight-knit relationship with, comes down with a stroke, Crash is heartbroken. But this period of time is more than just an opportunity to grieve - it is an opportunity to wake up. And he does. This awakening proves to him that cruelly teasing poor and defenseless Penn Webb is totally uncalled for and - surprise - no longer fun on his part. Crash's transition from smug, self-absorbed jock to an empathetic and caring person, all the more wiser as a result of growth, is enlightening and makes this book what it is. Crash used to be so close-minded. Now he knows what is significant and what is not. New friendships blossom and old ones fade, as Crash comes to realize some of his friends and their cruel antics are not like the new him.

Spinelli is a wonderful author. I admire his abilities to construct a story so amusing yet so deep with characters, who they are, and how they grow. Plus, Spinelli evidently knows kids today - he is able to capture excellent insight into their mind, especially through this type of narration. CRASH will make you laugh but it will also make you think. Those two elements are what I often times look for in a good book, which is probably why I've loved this one for four years.

Great Book
It was a great book. One of my favorite books. I think it is Spinelli's best book.

Great Story in Crash
Buy it, they'll love it. Spinelli weaves a touching story girls and boys will cherish forever. Whether you cheer for Penn or Crash, the book will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Crash Coogan Crashed into My Favorite Book Collection
I really enjoyed reading this book because I could relate to many of the topics introduced in the book. ... Read more

Book Description

Just like other kids, Zinkoff rides his bike, hopes for snow days, and wants to be like his dad when he grows up. But Zinkoff also raises his hand with all the wrong answers, trips over his own feet, and falls down with laughter over a word like "Jabip."

Other kids have their own word to describe him, but Zinkoff is too busy to hear it. He doesn't know he's not like everyone else. And one winter night, Zinkoff's differences show that any name can someday become "hero."

Reviews (68)

An Inside Look At Bullying
Donald Zinkoff is one of the coolest kids you could ever want to meet, and the absolute coolest kid to hang out with. He loves school, wants to be friends with everybody, has a great laugh, he's just an all-around great guy. That is, until he hits fourth grade. Suddenly Zinkoff is no longer cool, he's a loser. Yeah, his sloppy handwriting, uncontrollable giggling, bad grades, clumsiness, etc. were pretty much unnoticed when he was younger. But suddenly, in fourth grade, everyone notices every single mistake he makes. And it only gets worse when he begins doing things that affect the other kids in his class. Sure, everyone has the name LOSER to describe Zinkoff, but that's not him. He thinks he's just like everyone else, and he really is, until a fateful winter night when Zinkoff suddenly becomes a hero.

Out of every book that I have read so far this year, I will admit that I believe Donald Zinkoff is my favorite character of them all. His love for life, and learning is incredible, and the way that he keeps his head up even when he learns what his classmates think of him is a great lesson for all kids who are going through the same thing that Zinkoff goes through. Readers as young as the age of five-years-old will enjoy this book, as it follows Zinkoff from kindergarten all the way through fourth grade, and gives you an inside look at how his LOSER status evolved. Spinelli has accomplished greatness with this book, and I hope to read more from him in the future.

Erika Sorocco

One teacher's review of Loser
As a fifth grade teacher, I picked up Jerry Spinelli's Loser to preview whether it would make an appropriate read aloud selection for my students. Loser tells the story of Donald Zinkoff's childhood. At first, Donald appears to be an average elementary school kid, but as he grows older, his classmates begin to view him differently. Before, Donald was silly and clumsy, but in fourth grade, suddenly he is seen as weird and strange. An important turning point in the story happens when Zinkoff's poor coordination causes his fourth grade classmates to lose an athletic contest. By the end of the day, Donald has a new name-"Loser." Spinelli spends the rest of the book discussing Zinkoff's move to middle school and hinting that somehow, Zinkoff will change from "zero" to "hero." When a neighborhood girl is missing, Zinkoff sees his chance to become popular. When she is finally found, will Donald Zinkoff still be a "Loser?"

I enjoyed reading Loser for a number of reasons. First, the plot of Loser is a simple one that I think every human-young and old-can relate to. Everyone's been teased one time or another. I think it would be an interesting experience for all readers to see how one character deals with being teased. Zinkoff is such a complicated character because he doesn't even realize that others see him as a loser. Most people would feel hurt and embarrassed (maybe even angry) if they were in Donald's shoes, but not Zinkoff.

Because he is so oblivious to his classmate's taunts, I started to believe that there was more to Zinkoff than Jerry Spinelli was saying. Is Zinkoff just clumsy and weird or does he suffer from real learning and behavioral disabilities? I kept hoping Spinelli would explain more about Donald and his condition. My class and I just finished Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key by Jack Gantos, which is about the life of a young boy with ADHD. I think that book was better for younger readers because it explained WHY some kids behave as they do. In Loser, we never actually learn why Zinkoff acts like such a "loser."

My favorite part of the book happens late in the story when Zinkoff tries to rescue a missing girl. I predicted that he would find her, return her to her thankful family, and become the most popular boy in middle school. I was excited to see that Loser doesn't have a happily-ever-after ending. If you are a fan of realistic fiction books for children, Loser would be a great choice.

Still, I have mixed feelings whether I would share this book with my class. The writing is mostly simple sentences, but there is more complicated language that I think they would appreciate better when they are a few years older. I would recommend this book for middle school students through adults because they can all relate to the story and they'd be able to answer many of the questions that come up in Loser. Whether or not I decide to use Loser, I still think all elementary school students should be exposed to Jerry Spinelli (Maniac Magee, Wringer, Fourth Grade Rats, The Library Card) because he writes about real childhood situations and problems. Most children's books do not do this, but Loser does. Jerry Spinelli's Loser is definitely not a "loser." Check it out!

Loser by Jerry Spinelli
"Loser" by Jerry Spinelli is about a boy called Donald Zinkoff. It is an "okay" book to read because it doesn't really have a good problem/plot. Although I really do love the character of Zinkoff. I love his enthusiasm for school and his love for hearing great big words and big numbers! I really admire Zinkoff's friendliness and kindness to other people. It is a well written book, it makes me feel kind of sad when other characters in the book were calling Donald Zinkoff a "loser". You should give it a try...

LOSER may inspire readers to be a little more understanding.
Jerry Spinelli's novel, LOSER, details the childhood of Donald Zinkoff, focusing on his life from the first through sixth grades. Most readers will relate to either knowing or being a Donald Zinkoff at some point in their lives. Zinkoff is usually the last person picked for athletic teams, his flute consistently hits the wrong note during concerts, and he is occasionally too eager at the wrong times.

First grade is when Zinkoff is introduced to school. He loves it, even though he is always seated in the rear of the classroom because his teacher sits students alphabetically. But Zinkoff hits his low point in fifth grade, when his team does not want him to participate in that year's field day because of his horrible performance during last year's proceedings.

Sixth grade is Zinkoff's first year of Middle School, where he reconnects with his former neighbor from second grade, Andrew. Andrew has changed his identity to become "Drew", a sixth grader who has confidence in the crowded halls and a cell phone in his book bag.

This chance encounter sort of clues Zinkoff in as to how much of a difference there is between him and his peers. Even though they consider him to be a loser, he's not; in fact, Zinkoff has a heart of gold. This is shown through his interactions with his parents and the lonely, elderly lady in his neighborhood, as well as the hours he spends looking for a little girl from his neighborhood who becomes lost in a snowstorm.

Readers will like Zinkoff and enjoy how much pleasure he receives from the simplest of activities, from spending the day with his dad pretending to deliver mail, to biking all over his neighborhood and checking on the waiting man. After seeing Zinkoff's consistently positive attitude and the level at which he tries, readers will want Zinkoff to become part of the in-crowd among his peers. While this does not happen, the book ends on an optimistic note, which seems fitting for Zinkoff's positive philosophy on life. LOSER may inspire readers to be a little more understanding towards the "Zinkoffs" in their lives.

---(...)

I'm Not A Loser Either
Loser, is a very interesting and wonderful story for someone to read, especially if someone (including themself) considers them a loser. No one is a loser, and in this book it will show how a boy shows himself that he isn't a loser. I really think this is a great book for anyone to read, even if you know your not a loser. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Newbery Medal-winning author Jerry Spinelli (Maniac McGee, Stargirl) paints a vivid picture of the streets of the Nazi-occupied Warsaw during World War II, as seen through the eyes of a curious, kind, heartbreakingly naïve orphan with many names. His name is Stopthief when people shout "Stop! Thief!" as he flees with stolen bread. Or it's Jew, "filthy son of Abraham," depending on who's talking to him. Or, maybe he's a Gypsy, because his eyes are black, his skin is dark, and he wears a mysterious yellow stone around his neck. His new friend and protector Uri forces him to take the name Misha Pilsudski and to memorize a made-up story about his Gypsy background so that no one will mistake him for a Jew and kill him. Misha, a very young boy, is slow to understand what's happening around him. When he sees people running, he thinks it's a race. Nazis (Jackboots, as the children call them) marching through the streets appear to him as a delightful parade of magnificent boots. He wants to be a Jackboot! (Uri smacks him for saying this.) He compares bombs to sauerkraut kettles, machine guns to praying mantises, and tanks to "colossal gray long-snouted beetles." The story of Misha and his band of orphans trying to survive on their own would have a deliciously Dickensian quality, if it weren't for the devastation around them--people hurrying to dig trenches to stop Nazi tanks, shops exploding in flames, the wailing of sirens, buzzing airplanes, bombs, and human torture. Spinelli has written a powerfully moving story of survival--readers will love Misha the dreamer and his wonderfully poetic observations of the world around him, his instinct to befriend a Jewish girl and her family, his impulse to steal food for a local orphanage and his friends in the ghetto, and his ability to delight in small things even surrounded by the horror of the Holocaust. A remarkable achievement. (Ages 11 and older) --Karin Snelson ... Read more

Reviews (20)

Milkweed- An exceptional novel
Milkweed, by Jerry Spinelli, was an interesting and vivid novel about a young boy with many names, whos only memory lies in a yellow stone on a necklace around his neck. The setting of this book, Warsaw in Poland, really describes the terrible conditions all of the people living as a Jew or Gypsy during the Holocaust. The characters are are very different and special in their very own way. Misha, the main character in the story, is timid at the beginning and later is courageous and bold. Uri, who is his companion, is a very quiet and self-centered character. The last thing that really stood out in this book was the writers style. He writes with a very strange format and it is confusing at first, but later becomes stands out in a good way. Overall, the book potrayed the time o the Holocaust through a young boy perfectly and it was one of the best books I have EVER read.

Heartbreaking yet Hopeful
Jerry Spinelli has crafted a stark and horribly vivid portrayal of the Nazi occupation of Warsaw, Poland during WWII.
Through the eyes of a young vagabond we see a childlike view of what it was like to live through this horrific time.
Misha is a young boy who is orphaned and living on the streets. He is told he is a gypsy and given the name Misha, by his friend and protector Uri.
From this point on Misha progresses in his understanding of all that is going on around him... he comes face to face with "Jackboots", Nazi soldiers... "Flops", turncoat Jews tormenting their own people... and those being persecuted-- Jewish people.
The saddness of this story comes through loud and clear when Misha becomes attached to the Jewish family, the Milgorms. Misha befriends, Jainna a young girl and quickly becomes part of the family and embraces his background as a Jew.
I applaud Spinelli for writing this book. I realize there are many books written for middle school students on the Holocaust, but we must never stop reading about it... if we do we may forget just how terrible it really was. And if we, as tolerant caring people forget the horrors, we could easily slip back into the cruelty and utter stupidity of the Nazi tormentors. We must never become like them.... ever!
This is a mistake from history no one should ever repeat!
So as you read this... remember that all people have value and it's our job to make sure we never allow something like the holocaust to happen again.

Another classic from Spinelli!
Milkweed is about Misha, an orphan living on the streets of Nazi-occupied Warsaw. The whole story is through his humble eyes as he steals, befriends a group of boys and gets a family. How he always escapes the fearful Flops and Jackboots. How he gets his ear shot. How every night, he enters homes and shops and innocently steals food. How he is sadly separated from his "sister" finally one day. This enchanting story weaves to what happens after the holocaust as well.

Milkweed has fascinating details from the Holocaust and Misha's life is described brilliantly. You feel as though you are right there, next to Misha, running beside him as he escapes from the Jackboots, crawling behind him through the two-brick hole in the wall, from beginning to end. The characterizing is done very vividly; you can visualize every character instantly! The style of writing is also so unique and captivating! Once you start this book, it's just too hard to put it down! Milkweed is another classic from the great author of Crash, Loser, Maniac Magee and Stargirl. Two thumbs up!

Milkweed
My teacher assigned us 2 books relating to the Holocaust to read, and I couldn't be happier that I got Milkweed.Milkweed is a wonderfully dramatic novel that's unique writing style makes it an astounding addition to realm of Holocaust literature. Through the eyes of a young naive boy we see a child's perspective of reality in this horrific time. Jerry Spinelli creates a sense of realism within the book with a bold cast of characters that really get you hooked. The beginning is strong; superbly enthralling, as is the entire book. I HIGHLY reccomend this book to anyone interested in a different view of the Holocaust. ;)

Milkweed SUPEAR NOVEL
I thought it was a good book because it is an interesting story of a boy who does not know anything about himself during the period of the WWII holocaust. Misha the main character.has no idea where he came from or what his name is. He is befriended by a group of Jewish orphans who steal food for a living. After a while he meets a little Jewish girl, named Janina. When her family is forced to move to the ghetto, Misha goes to live with them. Just as everyone is starving, there are deportations (to the concentration camps but the Jews don't know where they are going) Janina is taken to the concentration camps, but Misha escapes to America, to tell his story.
I liked this novel very much, because it told a story that is still in some existence today, racism. The Holocaust is no longer a problem for Jews and gypsies today, but they still face some discrimination. I would recommend it to anyone who likes a good story with strong characters. Several emotions I experienced are, anger, sadness, happiness, excitement and relief. This is a very well written novel because the novel is written because it is told in the perspective of a little boy who is clueless to what is happening in the time period. ... Read more

Reviews (24)

Great book! Shows the realistic side to family life!
I absolutely love this book! I first read it when I was 9 and I am still reading over and over at 14. I can compare myself to Megan and Greg in so many ways. Who Put That Hair in My Toothbrush? teaches numerous life lessons about making friends, learning to love siblings, etc., etc., etc. This book brought out so many emotions in me, from laughter to sadness and is at the top of my list, for all ages!

I absolutely LOVE this book!
I first read this book in middle school (12 years ago!) and ever since, I've always loved Jerry Spinelli novels. I can't imagine anyone not finding this book laugh-out-loud funny. It is a story about two siblings, Meagan and Greg, that continually argue and bicker. The story is told from each siblings point-of-view, which lends an interesting angle to the story. Throw in a younger brother (with a smaller role), and you've got the makings for a hilarious book. As a teacher, I've recommended this book to my upper elementary children with much success.

Fell in love with this book
This book will always have a soft spot in my heart. When I was 14, my boyfriend read parts of it to me first period every tuesday morning while we cuddled. To make sure that I was paying attention to the story, he used to quiz me on things like the nickname Megan's brother called her. When I didn't ace the quiz, I was subjected to a punishment of tickles and a ban on kisses (that usually lasted all of 2 minuites). As I began to listen to every little detail of this book I slowly feel in love with it, and with the sweet boy who read it to me. Since then I've read it again and again, and I can't imagine not loving the book just like I can't imagine not loving my Shmally. I encourage you all to by this book and I hope it will bring you half the hapiness that it brought me.

Review
Another excellent book by Jerry Spinelli, this book is funny, heartbreaking, and surprising. The main idea is about a sibling rivalry between Megin and her older brother, Greg. that's the humor, but there are also side stories about Greg ands love for some girl named Jennifer Wade, until she moves to Conestoga. Then Sara Bellamy, who he considers is "not his type" starts to enter the story. Megin has no side story, other then cleaning her roach- infested room and befriending a Halley's Comet-worshipping girl named Zoe.
The author's style hasn't changed (which I hope it never will). It is kid- friendly and humorous, and you will hope it will never end (it does end in a strange sort of way- it should have been longer). I would recommend it to a middle- or junior high- schooler who reads for fun.

One of the greatest books for teens ever written!
I first read this book as I was getting ready to enter High School (mandatory). I instantly fell in love with it and its characters.
I read it throughout H.S. and felt especially touched by its message during the holidays.
This Christmas (2002), as a wonderful surprise, my wife got the book-on-tape for our long drive out of state. She never read it before, but she loved it. Even though she is now 29 yrs old.
Highly Recommended!

... ... Read more

Book Description

"A master of those embarrassing, gloppy, painful, and suddenly wonderful

things that happen on the razor's edge between childhood and full-fledged

adolescence" (The Washington Post),Newbery medalist Jerry Spinelli has penned

his early autobiography with all the warmth, humor, and drama of his

best-selling fiction. From first memories through high school, including first

kiss, first punch, first trip to the principal's office, and first humiliating

sports experience, this is not merely an account of a highly unusual childhood.

Rather, like Spinelli's fiction, its appeal lies in theaccessibility and

universality of his life. Entertaining and fast-paced, this is a highly

readable memoir-- a must-have for Spinelli fans of all ages.




... Read more

Reviews (14)

If this book was a yo-yo the string would be knotless
Knots in My Yo-Yo String is a book that tells of childhood memories. It is definitely geared towards younger readers; it would be the perfect read for a child around 12 years of age. The author, Jerry Spinelli, has done an exquisite job of capturing what most children experience during their short period of innocence. His memories are conveyed to the reader in a most descriptive way, and he requires the reader to think about what they have read. He never ends a chapter on a boring sentence; it is always a conclusive sentence that is usually quite witty. Some of his stories are so interesting that you wish you could go back in time and experience the same things he did but in your own childhood.
The majority of his most pleasant memories took place while he was in junior high school. I would say that he wrote of his preteen teen years, 10 to 12, more than any other time in his life. The author also wrote about his teenage memories but those were less pleasant and less numerous.
This book highlights how successful Jerry was among his fellow peers. He always seemed to be better than everyone else: he was athletic, he was very popular, and he was much more intelligent than the average student. The tale is constantly action filled with Jerry exploring and learning essential lessons in his childhood. The story is one big quest for Jerry to be happy and throughout the whole book it seems that he is happy and true to himself.
The book starts out with his dog being struck by a car; it then goes back to his early childhood and all the events that led up to the tragic accident. Then in the final chapter the story resumes at the point were Jerry is standing over the dead dog. The dog being slain represents the troubles Jerry encountered as soon as he enters high school. When Jerry reaches this new school, all his prior achievements meant nothing and he was forced to start from scratch. Several events happened to Jerry during this transition the drastically eroded his confidence. His girlfriend decided to discontinue the relationship, he struggle to grasps the concepts of his academics, and he was no longer the superior athlete. The worst thing that happened during those trying times was when his family departed from their neighborhood and decided it was time to move to another neighborhood.
Jerry then finds what he loves to do. He starts to write poetry in his 11th grade year and soon things turn around for Jerry, as he is happy once again. Jerry then goes on to tell about how he wrote the novel Manic Magee, a story based off of a childhood friend. The success of Manic Magee has made Jerry a financial secure writer.
This book connected with me because some of the events that he experienced as a child were similar to events that happened during my adolescence. Jerry Spinelli does a great job of making this book an interesting and eventful read for his target audience, children, while also telling of some important moral issues. The moral issues that occurred in this book made me remember of something dishonest I did as a child and it made my remember how bad I felt and how bad I still feel about the incident. So, I enjoyed this autobiography and I hope that you find a little bit of time to read this short adventure.

The String
The best part of the adventurous book Knots in My Yo - Yo String is were Jerry Spinelli he learns a great lesson that you can't always be the best that you always want to be but you can always work up to it and I think that this is a very important thing to know. In this book you also learn other things like that there's always one moment in your life that your life feel like it's falling apart even if your only learning a lesson. I think that these are really important thing to always know. I think that this book is great for kids that like to learn new things and that like action, drama and real life situations. I would recommend this book for kids from the ages of 10 to 16 because this book has things about all of these ages and how some things change as you get older. I think that all kids should read this book no matter what kind of books you usually read. Because I think that you would enjoy this book as well besides the books that you are use to. So try something new and get out of your shell and brake out of the ordinary. So if you have the time to go to your local library go and get this action packed book Knots in My Yo - Yo String written by the author Jerry Spinelli right now and get ready to fill your brain with ideas and thoughts.
By: Ben

This Book Was Really Good
Jerry Spinelli was one of my favourite authors. I decided to read his biography for school. Now he is still one of my favorite authors only now, when i read one of his books i always think back at what could have made him right that? The book Knots In My Yo-Yo string was written in Jerry Spinneli's style which is why i think i found it so interesting to read. His childhood may bore some people for he found it exciting to get his first t.v but it made me realise how much that we have at this time with all of our technology. Knots In My Yo-Yo string makes you realise a ton of things that we take for granted now a days and it truly is a good book.

Read This Before ANY other Spinelli Books!!!
Knots In My Yoyo String was a great book about Jerry Spinelli's younger years. You will find out things that never would've crossed your mind -like that Spinelli hated writing, or that he still has all of the notes from his 9th grade girlfriend! Besides being just plain fun to read, you will uncover lots of people that he named his characters (in other books) after. There was really a boy named Magee and there was a real East and West side of town. After reading his books, you'll get lots of those "ah ha!" moments. Every Jerry Spinelli fan should read this amazing biography! ~

I Personally think this book did absolutely nothing for me
I personally really didn't enjoy this book. It was a waste of my time. Who really cares about his life. My teacher assigned the book and i was forced to read it. It was pain. I think he could of made it more interesting but unfortunately he had a very dull life. My teacher compared this book to Boy and in my mind there is no comparison. BOY was great book and Knots in my yo yo string was definatly not. I enjoyed reading boy but HATED reading knots in my Yo Yo string. IF you want to read a book i would definately recommend Boy and not Knots in my yo yo string. Thank you for your time ... Read more

Book Description

Palmer LaRue is running out of birthdays. For as long as he can remember, he's dreaded the day he turns ten––the day he'll take his place beside all the other ten-year-old boys in town, the day he'll be a wringer. But Palmer doesn't want to be a wringer. It's one of the first things he learned about himself and it's one of the biggest things he has to hide. In Palmer's town being a wringer is an honor, a tradition passed down from father to son. Palmer can't stop himself from being a wringer just like he can't stop himself from growing one year older, just like he can't stand up to a whole town––right? Newbery Medal winner Jerry Spinelli's most powerful novel yet is a gripping tale of how one boy learns how not to be afraid.

01 Blue Spruce Award Masterlist (YA Cat.)

Reviews (193)

The Dreaded Tenth Birthday...
I was a bit hesitant when I started reading Wringer, by Jerry Spinelli. A book about killing pigeons in mass numbers wasn't exactly my idea of an enjoyable book...but I'm glad I decided otherwise.
I was introduced to an eight-year-old Palmer LaRue, a boy without any true friends. Palmer has a growing secret inside him he doesn't even consider telling anyone. Palmer is afraid of being a wringer when he turns ten. This occurs at the annual Family Fest. Pigeons are released and shot at; the wounded ones are what the 10-year-old wringers are for.
On his ninth birthday he's accepted into a group of boys (Beans, Mutto, and Henry, AKA the Beans Boys). Beans is the leader of the group and is quite a mean boy who enjoys tormenting people, especially Palmer's neighbor, Dorothy Gruzik. Beans calls Dorothy 'Fishface', and soon Beans' strong influence on Palmer causes him to call her 'Fishsface' as well. One night a pigeon tapping on Palmer's window causes him to wake up. Palmer doesn't realize it, but this little pigeon (whom Palmer names Nipper) is going to change his life forever. Palmer gets closer and closer to turning ten. As becoming a wringer at the Family Fest creeps up on him, Nipper's life is in danger, Palmer discovers who his friends really are, and he befriends someone he never imagined would impact his life.
I rated this book four stars because I absolutely loved it and highly recommend it. Palmer's strong belief in what he thought was right, even under peer pressure, was truly inspirational. The only thing that prevented me from rating the book five stars was the choice of ages for the characters. If they had been possibly several years older, their thoughts and actions would seem much more realistic, but other than that, this is a book you should look into.

I thought this book was one of the best books I ever read.
Wringer is one of Jerry Spinelli's best books yet. This is one of the best books I ever read in my life. I like a lot of Jerry Spinelli's books, like Maniac Mcgee and the Library card, but this is one of his best books yet. It won the Newberry Honor in 1998. This book is for kids ages 9-12. The book is about a boy named Palmer LaRue. He lives in a town where each boy at age ten becomes a wringer. A wringer is a person who wrings pigeons by the necks after they have been shot by the men at the yearly Family Fests' Shooting Day. Only there is one problem Palmer does not want to become a wringer. One day the worst thing happened to Palmer. A pigeon came tapping at his window. He decided to feed it. The bad thing was it kept coming back to his house for more food. He had to keep this a total secret. Palmer also had another secret. He had a secret friendship with a girl named Dorothy Gruzik. He could not tell his other friends about this because they don't like her. So, they would beat them up if they found out. So whenever he was around her he called her Fishface. I thought this was a good book because the charactors sound like real people. The book was easy to read because it had short chapters. I enjoyed the story because it was interesting and secretive. I would give this book a 4 out of 5.

MY FAVORITE BOOK!
This book is one of the best books ever written, definetely one of Jerry Spinelli's best books. It is such a great book to do a book report on, or read out loud in class! It made me laugh, cry, and sometimes both at the same time :-)! My favorite part? DEFINETELY THE ENDING. Please note: do not skip to the ending otherwise it will spoil it for you. Some people get confused in the beginning but, THINK AGAIN. I noticed some of the reviewers were complaining about it being "hard to understand".If you are thinking that, it's really easy to understand. The only thing Spinelli is doing is comparing Palmer's tenth birthday to an actual living thing, which is very clever in my opinion. I don't think there are too many gory parts, it's mostly about Palmer's forbidden pet and how Palmer tries to fit in with a group of boys, doing crazy things just to be with them. I would recommend this book to ANYBODY. I did not expect such a wonderful book when i bought it. Thank you, Jerry Spinelli, for giving me such a wonderful reading expierience!!!:-)READ THIS BOOK NOW! IT'S A DEFINITE READ FOR SPRING, SUMMER, FALL OR/AND WINTER. I'm already reading it for the 8th time, you'll love it!

The Wringer review-By,Remix Jr.
The book that I read was the ''Wringer''. The book wasone of the best books that I read except in some parts I didn't understand. The book is about a boy named Palmer LaRuethat lives in Waymer. Palmer is about to turn ten there is going to be the biggest event of a ten year olds life. The event is an annual Family Fest and it's a tradition to become a wringer when you turn ten. But on palmer's tenth birthday he has something to tell but is afraid to say it which is that he doesn't want to be a wringer.

Wringer a great book to read
Wringer is about a young man who turns 10 years old and gets a special treatment.But when you turn 10 years old in there part of town you automatically become a wringer (a person who wrings pigeons necks)But palmer does not want to become a wringer. So the next day Palmer hears this storm and at the end of this storm a pigeon comes into his window and stays there. Palmer now takes the bird and loves it and cares for it.But palmers friends are wringers so he has to keep it a secret.Palmer and his friends dis like his neighbor and bombs her house with egg and toilet tissue and they also put a dead carcuss on her door step, but later in the book they become friends ... Read more

Book Description

Jamie "Mongoose" Hills finds the little blue card among the candy he's shoplifted. Brenda is saved by the card during the Great TV Turn-Off. And April Mendez takes a ride in a bookmobile unlike any other. Four unforgettable stories from a master storyteller. ... Read more

Reviews (23)

The Best Book In The World
The Library Card is a great book. This book has three cool stories in it. The first story is about two trouble making kids called Mongoose and Weasel. Mongoose and Weasel are best friends ,until the library card comes in. It changes mongoose's life. This a very interesting book I reccomend it.

A good starter book for non-readers in grades 4 - 6
Four rather disconnected short stories. Each short presents a different type of non-reader: the budding vandal in a gritty urban setting, your middle-class "vidiot" tv drone, one homeless teen with a hot temper, and a girl who flags down the local book-mobile, only to find that it has been hi-jacked. Mr. Spinelli treats some of his short story characters rather poorly when compared with those found in his full length books... one becomes a nerd and another a twit. This book borders on sci-fi/fantasy, a first for Mr. Spinelli, so perhaps we can excuse him for certain transgressions. And yet, He has written so many outstanding works for young readers that it pains me to discribe this book as average. Perhaps that is the answer: he has written a good book for non-readers in the hopes that they will be hooked on real kids, doing real kid things, while thinking real kid thoughts. Tempt your favorite non-reader with "The Library Card", wait for it to digest, mix in some "Maniac Magee", "Dump Days", and watch for the next outstanding Spinelli work.

Not So Good
I have read several Spinelli books and have rated them all a four or above-except this one. This book builds up two characters only to stop the story once they are known to us and start a completely different story. This happens 3 times!!! Different characters, incomplete story. If he had started and finished with any one of these characters, it could have been a decent book. As it is, I just feel like I was left hanging and wasted time I could have spent on another book. Synopsis: Great author, just read his other books.

Knots in my Yo-Yo String
Hi! If you read this story you will get grossed out. You want to know why? In this story the author Jerry Spinelli, a kids author, tells about how he grows up and goes step by step about how being a kid helped him to become a writer. So what is the gross part? Well, he tells all about stuff like kissing girls and hitting his friend with a rock. I like this story because it is interesting and has alot of details about his life as he was growing up and this book is good. Farewell!

The Big Blue Library Card
The Library Card

In my second period L.A class my teacher Mrs. Donohue (Mrs. D short for Donohue) has us read 3 books per quarter. We have to do a critical review each quarter. Our first quarter, we have to do a critical review on the first book we read. I have to tell you some information about this book. So here we go.

My first book I read was called The Library Card. The author is Jerry Spinelli he writes a lot of different books like Loser, Stargirl, Wringer, etc. The Library Card is a story. There are different sections of it. The Library Card falls into a mystery/adventure category. This book is about to boys that are bestfriends. They always sit on top of a tall building. They go to a market and steal quite a bit of candy and sell it, to buy spray paint cans. Then they go around and spray paint things. As they do this one of the boys find a blue card in his pocket. Then he realizes that it's a library card so he goes to the library and starts to check out books. Then the library card gets passed around to different people, and they use the library card.

The books have strengths and weaknesses. The strength part of the book is that at the end of every chapter it leaves sentences that make you want to keep reading. This is called a narrative hook. The weakness in the book is that when the library card gets past around to different people it kind of goes into a different story so it's a little confusing. Jerry Spinelli is a great author to write books. He has adventure, drama, mystery, and so much more in his books. I think this book is a great book, if people have a chance they need to go to the library and check out The Library Card. This is a great book for readers from 5th to 8th grade because they can learn a lot from this book. They could learn that going to the library and checking out books is a great thing to do for your education. ... Read more

Reviews (31)

As a teacher, this is one book I won't have on my shelf.
I am a 7th grade reading teacher, and I have read both Space Station Seventh Grade and its sequel Jason and Marceline. Space Station Seventh Grade is a good book and is very true to life in middle school. Jason and Marceline consists of guys talking about who's "doing it" and the size of girls' breasts and how they'd like to get their hands on them. This may be the type of conversation that goes on in middle school, but I think it is demeaning to the girls. The book summary on Amazon.com says that Jason is surprised to find that Marceline rejects him, but that's not quite the whole story. Jason pressures Marceline to let him give her a hickey, and he gets angry and stomps off when she won't let him. They finally get back together, and she makes him promise he won't give her a hickey. I'm concerned that the message it sends is that girls who don't give in to their boyfriends will lose them, and that's not a message I want to endorse.

"Maybe - maybe - she's as nervous as I am."
I grew up with this book. It mirrored my confusion about life and relationships (including the quote in the subject, which is from Jason's first date; maybe it doesn't seem too profound to you, but when I first read that at the age of 14, it was incredibly enlightening). It offered some light on issues I hadn't considered (like the impact of a boyfreind-girlfriend situation on an already existing close relationship). Most importantly, Jason felt like a good friend who listened to my embarassing stories, all the while offering up some of his own stories and advice. I can't stress enough how much this book meant to me, then and now. Even more so than the first book in this two-book series, Space Station Seventh Grade, this book helped me understand in a time when nothing made sense.

Anyone who thinks this is a book that handles topics too "mature" for 14 year olds simply doesn't understand the situations people of this age find themselves in. And, yes, they are people. They are just smaller and less experienced, the latter problem being one that this book helps alleviate. If you are a parent, you owe it to yourself, and your offspring, to buy this book for your son or daughter. If you are at the age where you are feeling that intense pressure to hook up and go out, you owe it to your sanity.

Newberry award-winning authors were once kids, too
Could this be why Jerry Spinelli knows today's teens so very well? Perhaps. Upon my first reading of this in the 6th grade, I questioned that.

JASON AND MARCELINE, Spinelli's 1986 novel, basically takes place in the world of high school. Jason and the girl he'd like to be more than just friends with, Marceline, are entering the doors as 9th grade freshmen. He just wants to fit in and survive, while Marceline really couldn't care less about conformity. In fact, she is the epitome of a nonconformist, with her trombone-playin', sunglasses-wearin' self in a place where boys have boob radars and appear to only think with their penises. While Marceline is content as is, Jason, a good friend since the 7th grade, is not as pleased.

Soon, they do become more than just friends. But even before they begin dating, Jason keeps on attempting to change the person Marceline is. Her quirks, which I found endearing, make some stare and comment. Jason knows this, which is why he so desperately wants to change her.

He also wants to go further than she'd like, even though she isn't comfortable with it. Yet. But Jason is growing impatient with just kissing. He's also a tad irked that she won't permit him to hickey her neck with blueish-purplish splotches as some girls do. And that's because Marceline isn't just "some girl".

Evidently. :)

She doesn't want to be branded like a cow. She is an individualist, the rare girl in the screwy high school world who does as she wishes and says what she thinks no matter what the passerby say. Eventually, she rejects Jason, who places himself on the rebound and takes up a meaningless fling with a naive chic who claims to "love" him after Frenching behind a Wawa dumpster. That proverbial "love" thing lasts for about 15 days or fewer.

Jason realizes he prefers Marceline's company to the companionship of other girls. Now, he must try and win her back. To do that, can he put aside his ego and hormones? Can he learn to accept both others and himself? Can he love Marceline, quirks and all?

Maybe, maybe not. From some heavy spying, Jason can see that she has moved on in terms of her love life. He, from a clandestine location, spots her kissing her date. On impulse, he reacts, screaming loudly and maniacally.

Spinelli's adolescent novel is laced with humor and raunch, yet is also ostensibly falls into the coming-of-age genre. Like CRASH, the main character undergoes a transformation and comes out more mature and self-aware, as well more aware of his surroundings and the needs of others. The depiction of the high school world is accurate. Skeptical and complaining 'rents, deal with it. Guys are often even ruder and cruder in real life, hence Melvin Burgess' DOING IT. But these characters are poignant and real as well. So the novel, overall, is able to find a comfy balance and provide many laughs along the way. Worthwhile, despite the fact that the reading level and audience it is aimed at totally do not match up.

Hello!
I really like this bookit made me want to make out with sumbuddy..
Im a 8 year old from ohio, And I thot that this book was good!
Good thing my mommmy didnt read it!! She wood be scared!!
I loved The chapter, LOVE because heather newsome kind of reminds me of me! I want to make out som dayy with a hot boy...
Bye! gotta go practice on my bayby brothere !!

Its great
As I was reading some of these reviews I have noticed that many- teachers, kids, parents are saying that this book is way too "mature", "fake", "absurd". But no this is not true. I'm sure Spinelli's intention in writing this book was to not make 9th grade guys sound like pigs only thinking about breasts, hickeys, sex, smoking, beer, and other things that we have gone through with in our childhood. I feel that Spinelli tried to relate, doing something a great author can only do, to the troubles and worries that a 9th grader goes through. It is a great book and I would reccommend it to guys maybe 13-15 that maybe dont pick up too many books. I do not think though, that it is geared towards girls for the fact that it tooks about boobs, and Jason's troubles in not being able to get his tounge through the "Berlin Wall" of Marceline's teeth. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Newbery Medalist Jerry Spinelli's first picture book stars a flop-eared young pup who loves to spend time with his father when he gets home from work. Little wonder! Dad has plenty of energy at day's end for playing the harmonica, wrestling, planting tomatoes, making gingerbread men, and even for household chores: "When the house breaks,/ we have to fix it./ My job is to carry/ the toolbox/ and hand Daddy the hammer./ He says I'm his best helper." On the rare occasion, his dad is too pooped to play: "But never, ever is my daddy too tired/ to sing me a lullaby/ when it's time/ for bed." Seymour Chwast's thickly textured, color-saturated paintings of the goofy dog pair render the affectionate father-son bond tangible. Young children will surely be comforted by this warm, simple tribute to Dadkind. (Preschool) --Karin Snelson ... Read more

Reviews (15)

There's a Girl in My Hammerlock
There's a Girl in my Hammerlock was written by Jerry Spinelli and it was published in 1991. Spinelli has written other books, such as Maniac Magee, Crash, Wringer, and Stargirl.
This book is a very good book and I highly recommend it because it isn't one of those books where the main character isn't absolutely perfect. It has just the right balance of comedy and reality, which makes it so that it never gets boring or cheesey!
There's a Girl in My Hammerlock is about a girl named Maisie Potter. At first Maisie is a normal active girl, and then came Eric Delong. She tried to get close to him by trying out for the cheerleading squad. When she doesn't make the squad she tries a different approach; she tries out for the formally all-male wrestling team. She gets ridiculed, criticized and embarrassed. By this time, she's gotta quit, right? WRONG!!! Maybe a "normal" girl would, but Maisie Potter is no normal girl! Maisie is the girl who won the "Most Outstanding Female Athlete" award. Maisie Potter is the girl who really knows how to drive a basketball down the court. Maisie Potter is the head-strong girl, the one girl who ever even dared to try out for the traditionally all-boy wrestling team! Well, for Maisie Potter it's time to break tradition! I would recommend this book to anyone who likes books about independince and loyalty.

There's A Girl In My Hammerlock
There's A Girl In My Hammerlock is written by Jerry Spinelli. The publisher is Half Moon Books. It is about a girl named Maisie who tries out for the cheer squad, but doesn't make it. Then to get a little closer to Eric Delong, she goes out for the wrestling team and makes it, despite everyone really dsen't want her to. The main characters are Maisie a girl who strives for what she wants, Eric, Liz's boyfriend, Liz, a true cheerleader, her family, the wrestling team and finally Tank, P.K Maisie's litlle sister's best bud. There was a little suspense. For example, how was Maisie going to do on the wresting team? Exacly how close was she going to get to Eric? I would like to recommend this book because it tells how Maisie had courage and struggled to get her way even though it was hard, as a woman.

Do you like books that love you? Read this
There is Girl In My Hammerlock is about a girl named Masie who tries out for cheerleading but doesn't make it because of Liz Lampley the captain. Then since she has a crush on beautiful Eric Delong she tries out for Wrestling,a Boy sport until then she makes it. She faces lots of problems like, She gets teased for doing a boy sport. She gets teased bye the whole school just for trying a boy sport. Plus having to go through the fact that Eric Delong brakes up with his girlfriend so he asks Masie out they go to the mall and make out and he sticks his tounge in her ear. She calls her dad and she goes home just to find out that her pet rat is missing.Her little sisters friend brings her down into the basement and he goes out the door. Of course she finds the rat a couple of days later in the mailbox some how she got into the mailbox!

There's a Girl in my Hammerlock
In There's a Girl in my Hammerlock, many exciting things happen. First, Maisie Potter tries out for the cheer squad because Liz's boyfriend, Eric is in a way part of it. Maisie wants to get closer to him. Then she finds out that he is on the wrestling team so she tries out too. She gets embarrassed, and worse she has to do monkey rolls by herself. She gets tortured, kissed and wins her first wrestling match. I would reccomend this book to anybody who likes page turners.

There's a Girl in my Hammerlock
Tiffany ****

There's a Girl in my Hammerlock was written by Jerry Spinelli, it is about a girl named Maise Potter who try's out for the wrestling team. Does she succeed?
You will have to read it to get the rest of the storie. Masie also try's out for the team because of the handsome Eric Delong. Does she win him? You will also have to read the book to find out that information. I would recomend this to people who like suspense,and like funny and very humorous books. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Perfect Book
I like this book because it is funny. It was kind of fantasy to me. The underpants was rolled up the flagpole with 5 of somebody's friends. They were riding a skateboard together and threw their homework out the street. This book is about 5 students in the same class that didn't like school. Many times they didn't do their homework. They also got in trouble by doing wrong things. One of them ran somebody's underpants up the flagpole. But at last they didn't get in trouble. This book is likely a troublesome school.

Another big hit for Mr. Spinelli
I give this book a four star rating because it talks about four kids who did something that they wanted to do. These four kids are Sunny,Salem,Eddie,and Pickles. Eddie has gone for football and has made the only touchdown in Plumstead Middle School.Sunny has finally become a cheerleader that she wanted to be. Salem is managing the football team with a suitcase of snacks and treats. And Pickles is leader of the pathetic marhing band of Plumstead Middle School. You'd find more information if you read the book, which I highly recommend.

Who Ran My Underware Up The Flagpole a review by Jessie
Have you ever ran to class in your underwear? Well in my book Eddie Mott did. The Social Studies teacher was 15 minutes late for class. So all the kids went to gym. They were getting dressed when the Social Studies teacher came in. He told all the kids to go to class, because it wasn't over yet. Eddie wanting to be the first person in class ran out of the locker room without putting his pants, and forgetting his books. Then Eddie and all his friends had to go to the principles office. Then he principle asked Eddie why he ran to class in his undrwear. My favorite part of the book was when Eddie ran out of the locker room in his underwear. I encourage you to read this book.If you are in 6th grade you will enjoy this, because Eddie was in 6th grade. The lesson of this book was not to make fun of your friends. At first I did not want to read the book, but when I got to the 2nd chapter it was interesting. Eddie had no weaknesses in the book Who Ran my Underwear up the Flagpole. Some personal traits of Eddie are that he is a good worker, nice, and funny. If you want to find out what happens you should read this book.

The Best In The School Daze Miniseries
I first read this book in my "tweens" years, and now well into my teenage years it still makes me roll on the floor with laughter. Definitely a good one for the parent who's still trying to make their kid read a book.

A great kids book!
I was in the fourth grade when my t