Pudgy klutz Pat is challenged by nasty Neal, who bets that Pat cannot get through the summer without an injury, and the loser must kiss plump Kristine "the Blimp" Blimpton in front of the whole school.
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Famous for his accident-prone escapades, Pat Berry is tired of being teased by Neal Moffett--"the greatest athlete in Hoover Middle School history." After landing under a chain-link fence during a football game, Pat rashly agrees to a bet which requires him to remain in one piece for the rest of the summer or kiss Kristine Plimpton (aka Blimpton) in public. As Pat tries to avoid the emergency room, his cause gains support from other boys who are fed up with Neal's bullying. Although the lad loses the bet, the appearance of a newly shapely Kristine turns the situation around and acknowledges him as the true victor. Though many readers may enjoy a novel told from a boy's perspective, Wallace negates this potential plus by making his female characters mere physical backdrops. Also, some may wish that Pat's triumph was more substantial. The central issues here--male friendships and the anxiety brought on by peer pressure--get lost as the plot lags between descriptions of sports games and bikini-clad neighbors. Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Grade 5-8-- Sex (boys watching girls in bikinis, a first kiss), interesting characters (a truly detestable bully; an awkward, overweight hero), action, humor, and classic themes (courage, friendship, self-realization)--this book almost has it all--except for believable female characters. Accident-prone Pat gets fed up with Neal's constant taunting and makes a bet that he can get through the summer without breaking any bones or getting any stitches. The loser has to kiss the pretty but plump girl whom Neal has ridiculed as ``The Blimp.'' Pat's friends rally to his defense as they try to protect him from the devious and sometimes dangerous traps that Neal sets for him. In a predictable but satisfying ending, a more mature and sensitive Pat loses the bet but wins the girl, who comes home from summer camp prettier, curvier, and slimmer. Fans of Hobie Hansen and Bingo Brown will enjoy Pat's growing pains. The humorous first-person account moves along at a brisk pace, helped by snappy dialogue. The male characters are well rounded and their actions ring true, but the girls are passive and serve merely as backdrops. There is no indication of how they feel about being treated so shabbily by the boys. --Eunice Weech, M. L. King Elementary School, Urbana, IL
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
Customer Reviews
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Biggest Klutz in Fifth Grade,
A Kid's Review
This review is from: The Biggest Klutz in Fifth Grade (Paperback)
Pat the most athletic kid in fith grade makes a bet with his friend Neal that they can't break a bone or get stitches over the summer. The loser would have to kiss Kristine Plimpton, "the blimp", on the lips in the front of the school on the first day. The rules say they have to still play football, basketball, and continue riding their bikes. While Pat plays with his friends, Neal Hoffman pays kids to try and hurt Pat. Pat starts to work out and try not to get hurt. As Pat tries not to get hurt Neal plans great evil. Neal is trying to win and will do anything to beat Pat. Pat and Jose, his best friend, go to Jose's dad's gym to workout. Pat cannot eat junk food. Every day when Pat wakes up he goes and works out. Will Pat win or lose the bet? I think this book is a great book. It is hysterical. A funny part is when Pat goes for the tackle and misses. He gets stuck under a fence. Read it and it will knock your socks off.
4.0 out of 5 stars
son's book,
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: The Biggest Klutz in Fifth Grade (Paperback)
I bought this book for my son because he likes the author. He said the book was pretty good but not the very best he has read from the same author, so I rate it a four.
5.0 out of 5 stars
A blast from the past,
This review is from: The Biggest Klutz in Fifth Grade (Paperback)
One of my favorite books when I was a child!
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
|
|
Inside This Book
(learn more)
Browse and search another edition of this book.
Browse and search another edition of this book.
Browse Sample Pages:
Surprise Me!
Surprise Me!
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product).
|
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
So You'd Like to...
|
|
