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Charlie Bumpers Vs. The Teacher Of The Year (2013)

by Bill Harley(Favorite Author)

3.77 of 5 Votes: 5

ISBN

1561457329 (ISBN13: 9781561457328)

languge

English

genre

Humor

publisher

Peachtree Publishers

review 1: What I like the most about the Charlie Bumpers books is that the thoughts that Charlie has are definitely those of a typical 4th grade boy living in the 21st century. At one point he mentions that he knows his dad doesn't like his boss. He knows this because he overheard his parents talking. He mentions that sometimes grownups think that kids aren't listening, but they are...definitely words to remember for those of us who spend time with kids! Hearing Bill Harley read his character was a lot of fun. Look forward to reading or listening to more about Charlie in the future!
review 2: O.K. Charlie, FocusYou know, ten year old boys may sometimes be knuckleheads, but they aren't usually complete idiots. I think the writers of chapter books have gotten that message.... more Even just a few years ago, when I started reading a lot of juvenile fiction, there was a constant stream of fart/butt/poop books. Psycho butts, underpants, armpit farts - the list was endless. Now don't get me wrong. There's usually room for a fart or two; I just don't see potty humor sustaining an entire book. Oddly enough, lots of elementary school boy readers don't either.As the tide turned so did the books. Fourth grade kids especially became featured players in well plotted, well written, insightful books. Henry Winkler's Hank Zipzer books feature a boy hero and his pals who are engaging and entertaining. Jack Gantos' Joey Pizga books are more serious, but still hit that sweet spot. Kevin Henkes' "The Year of Billy Miller" was a big hit in 2013 and features a bright, decent but shy kid worried about making it in second grade. These are all thoughtful, entertaining books that don't go for cheap laughs.And that's the long way around to Bill Harley's Charlie Bumpers books. Again, we have a boy getting ready for fourth grade and worried about how he'll measure up to a demanding teacher with a thing for neatness and a memory of accidentally being hit by a sneaker thrown by Charlie. An interesting, honest plot. But we also get a lot more.Charlie is smart and observant, with good instincts about people and a fundamentally decent outlook on life. He has available, patient and understanding, but still human, parents. He has siblings who are both annoying and loyal in an aggravating sibling way. So, we start off with a solid family vibe. Charlie's pals are the usual range of wise fools, and can be helpful or hopelessly inept as the situation warrants. This all feels real enough to draw a middle elementary school reader in.Our narrator is Charlie, and he has a pretty dry wit and is just oblivious enough that some of the humor he intends and some is at his expense. His interior monologues can be very realistic; there are some very sharp throwaway lines and observations; there are a lot of grace notes that add authority to the narrative. The conversations among the kids sound authentic, again with that mix of insight and cluelessness that I see as a signature aspect of this age group. And there's no deep meanness here, or actual bad guys. You can root for everyone.They say kids like to read about characters who are a year or two older than they are, and that sounds right for these books, which would seem to be ideal for confident early chapter book readers. So, good-hearted, sharp and well crafted- a nice possibility.Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book in exchange for a candid review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book. less

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