“A really hilarious boy who is a classroom comedian, a show-off and a pest, but still very lovable.” - Publishers Weekly
Description
Newbery Medal-winning author Beverly Cleary brings her understanding and warmth to every page of this wonderful story of a "bad boy."
When it comes to stirring up a little excitement in class, Otis Spofford knows just what to do. He can turn a folk dance fiesta into a three-ring circus . . . or an arithmetic lesson into a spitball marathon.
Best of all, Otis likes teasing neat, well-behaved Ellen Tebbits—until the day his teasing goes too far. Now Otis is nervous, because Ellen isn't just mad . . . she's planning something!
- Lovable Troublemaker: Meet Otis Spofford, a boy whose main goal is stirring up excitement—whether it involves a spitball marathon, a bullfight at the school fiesta, or a "scientific experiment" with classroom rats.
- Hilarious School Story: From the mind of Beverly Cleary, this timeless chapter book perfectly captures the chaos and comedy of elementary school life, where every day is an opportunity for mischief.
- A Classic Rivalry: Otis’s favorite target is the neat and tidy Ellen Tebbits. But when one of his pranks goes way too far, he discovers that Ellen might be even better at planning revenge than he is at causing trouble.
- Comeuppance Guaranteed: Otis’s teacher has a knack for turning his own schemes against him, proving that getting your "comeuppance" can sometimes be the funniest lesson of all.
Genres
Pages208
Released2009
LanguageEnglish
PublisherHarperCollins
ISBN9780061972294
SellerHarperCollins
About the author(s)
Beverly Cleary is one of America's most beloved authors. As a child, she struggled with reading and writing. But by third grade, after spending much time in her public library in Portland, Oregon, she found her skills had greatly improved. Before long, her school librarian was saying that she should write children's books when she grew up.
Instead she became a librarian. When a young boy asked her, "Where are the books about kids like us?" she remembered her teacher's encouragement and was inspired to write the books she'd longed to read but couldn't find when she was younger. She based her funny stories on her own neighborhood experiences and the sort of children she knew. And so, the Klickitat Street gang was born!
Mrs. Cleary's books have earned her many prestigious awards, including the American Library Association's Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, presented to her in recognition of her lasting contribution to children's literature. Dear Mr. Henshaw won the Newbery Medal, and Ramona Quimby, Age 8 and Ramona and Her Father have been named Newbery Honor Books. Her characters, including Beezus and Ramona Quimby, Henry Huggins, and Ralph, the motorcycle-riding mouse, have delighted children for generations.
Tracy Dockray is a fine artist and illustrator who has contributed to more than twenty illustrated books, including the bestselling Grimm's Grimmest, Delia at the Delano, and all of Beverly Cleary's highly popular children's books, most notably Ramona. A member of the Society of Illustrators, she holds an MFA from Pratt and lives in New York City.
