Another NASTYbook: The Curse of the Tweeties [Hardcover]

Barry Yourgrau (Author), Robert DeJesus (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 25, 2006 | Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up

Ever tasted a NuttiNutz candy bar?

Has your Mom been kidnapped recently?

Know what a Samurai Swordboy is?

Are you afraid of terrible curses?

Or goblins?

Or Toy Poodles?

How ‘bout (gulp) older sisters??

Do fake false teeth ever talk to you?

Hey, then you better read this book . . . but Be Warned, friend. . . . It's not like anything you've ever read . . . unless you're completely demented! (Are you?)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-7–Rollo is constantly eating NuttiNutz Bars and reading his favorite manga, Su-ichi Samurai Swordboy. During a family picnic his mom is kidnapped by goblins and taken to Fairyland. Since his father and sister are cravenly cowards, it is up to Rollo to rescue her. He encounters mini-assassins Marv and Harv Tweetie (sugar-crazed adult twins), talking false teeth, and more. At several points the text morphs into manga, and a few of Rollo's fights are violent. Smudges, fingerprints, and page and chapter numbers that change direction or include additional messages appear throughout. While Yourgrau's NASTYbook (HarperCollins, 2005), a collection of anecdotes, tangents, and stories, appeals to kids who like to think out of the box, this full-length novel is a disappointment. At the high point of each of Rollo's adventures, he awakens to find that he was only dreaming, and the ending reveals that the picnic hasn't even happened yet. This plot device becomes old quickly, and readers will want the story to move on, which it never really does. Because of its unique format, this offering will no doubt appeal to some readers, but it's basically an additional purchase.–Elaine Lesh Morgan, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR
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About the Author

Writer/performer Barry Yourgrau has been making people laugh their heads off--or gasp in astonishment--with such books as Wearing Dad's Head and A Man Jumps Out of An Airplane. He's startled everyone with his appearances on MTV and National Public Radio. He even starred in a movie based on his writings, and in a music video too. He teased the world with his first book for kids, My Curious Uncle Dudley. Barry woke up one day in the US as a kid. Now Barry's ready to unleash the hysterically dark fun and games from the deepest dark of his soul. "With my NASTYbook," grins Barry, nastily, "I invite you to share in those cruel, twisted and shockingly mischeivous delights I know you secretly adore--if you dare!" He got there all the way from South Africa, he claims... Or is this just another of his jokes? --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (April 25, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060579811
• ISBN-13: 978-0060579814
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,187,486 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Courtesy of Teens Read Too, January 4, 2008

By 

TeensReadToo "Eat. Drink. Read. Be Merrier." (All Over the US & Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Another NASTYbook: The Curse of the Tweeties (Hardcover)

Rollo loves NuttiNutz Bars (much better than any regular meal) and manga/comic books (especially Su-ichi Samurai Swordboy). He's not a huge fan of his family, particularly his big sister, Noreen.

But, when his mom is abducted by trolls during a family picnic, Rollo is shocked to realize that he is the only one who is overly concerned. Every one else seems to be content to mourn her briefly and then move on with life. Noreen has no problem overtaking her mom's closet and jewelry collection. Rollo's dad even appears to be dating again, and his new girlfriend comes complete with an evil poodle. It's up to Rollo to set off to rescue his mom.

To boost his confidence, he turns himself into his very own manga character, Samurai Stickboy. Armed with a hockey stick, some NuttiNutz Bars, and determination, Rollo sets off on his quest. On his way, he is both helped and hindered by Marv and Harv Tweety, twin brothers who are more confusing than they are useful (especially when one of them dies), a set of talking teeth that Rollo begins to hate, and some strange directional signposts. With a little luck Rollo will be able to figure everything out and be able to rescue his mom before it's too late. If not, well...

This book is half comic book/half written-out manga, with enough non-stop action to keep just about any boy interested. It definitely keeps you guessing; you never know what might happen next. It's like a whirlwind that picks you up, sucks you in, spins you all over the place, and then spits you back out.

Reviewed by: Carrie Spellman