The Top 10 Ways to Ruin the First Day of 5th Grade by Ken Derby

Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 165 pages
Publisher: Holiday House; First Edition edition (October 15, 2004)
The Top Ten Ways to Ruin the First Day of 5th Grade by Ken Derby

Grade 3-5 - Fifth-grader Tony Madison is a magnet for trouble. Irrepressible, unstoppable, and outrageous, he is constantly thinking up ways to make it on to David Letterman's show. He has his own collection of stupid human and pet tricks that he is sure will be his ticket to New York. After trying each new prank, he writes to the talk-show host and includes a top-10 list detailing his stunts. Unfortunately, most of these exploits end up with Tony in the principals office and his teacher, Mr. Gore, going home to change his clothes. One of his feats finally earns him the sought-after invitation (he makes the national news when he runs onto the field dressed as a bear during a professional football game). Tony, two of his friends, and Mr. Gore travel to New York City where Tony proceeds to wreak his own brand of havoc on the Big Apple. It all culminates with his arrival on Late Night escorted by Hell's Angels on motorcycles. Humorous and lighthearted with a feisty and zany main character, this book will be enjoyed by readers who like offbeat plots and nonstop wacky action.


My Review
This book was very funny. I really didn't know what to expect. I was wanting to read this book since I just started the fifth grade. Mo and Tony are definitely my favorite characters. they are always doing stunts... like Tony would jump rope on the toilet seat and his foot got stuck in the toilet. Gross! Mo was his partner-in-crime and would help him with his stunts. They would get into so much trouble and go to the principles office a lot! My other favorite part is when it is "bring a pet to school day", I can't tell you what happens but, all chaos breaks lose and it is such a funny part. I like that Tony's dog is named "Meatball" he is such a sweet mutt.

The part where Tony writes in to David Letterman and gives him his top ten list of how to ruin the fifth grade is when the book really opens up... Read this book because it's funny and it's good. That's it! That's all I have to say about it.

AnnaBanana ~ See ya next time!