The Bragging War (The Fabulous Five #5) [Paperback]

Betsy Haynes (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-7-- Beth Barry's plan to outbrag rival Laura McCall backfires when Laura and friends appear at Beth's house and expose her fake slumber party. Beth and Laura continue to try to outdo each other, flanked by the usual adolescent concerns about boyfriends, zits, and the social pecking order. When Laura flaunts front row tickets to a rock concert, Beth gains the attention of the star (having heard that he is interested in native Americans) by dressing up as a Cherokee Indian. She sneaks into his hotel and knocks on his door. He not only buys her disguise and invites her in, but he also calls her whole group onto the stage to sing with him at the end of the concert, and Beth is fantastically rewarded for continuing to scheme and plot revenge. Although fans of the Fabulous Five will gobble this right up, the contrived ending and Beth's failure to grow out of petty bragging battles or learn anything positive from her failures make this less appealing than Haynes' usual offerings. --Candy Colborn, Cottonwood Creek Elementary School, Englewood, Colo.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Paperback
• Publisher: Skylark (January 1, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553156519
• ISBN-13: 978-0553156515
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 4.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,596,712 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

My 76th juvenile novel, THE DEARLY DEPARTED (ISBN#9781590923818) was published in April, 2007, and my three-book Christmas series called The Santa Diaries will be out this fall. I also write for young adults and am busy revising a YA novel for my agent. I have written historical novels, mysteries, supernatural/ghost stories and humor. Lots of humor. I have authored four book series: TAFFY SINCLAIR (Bantam Skylark), its spin-off series, THE FABULOUS FIVE (Bantam Skylark), BOYTALK (Random House Bullseye) and BONE CHILLERS (HarperPaperback). The BONE CHILLERS became an ABC Saturday Morning TV series in 1996. In Hollywood, I took part in the filming of public service announcements shown at the end of each episode. What a blast!

My humorous novel, THE GREAT MOM SWAP, became an ABC Saturday Night Movie in 1995. When I'm not writing, I'm teaching "Writing the Middle-Grade Novel" and "Writing the Young Adult Novel" online for UCLA Extension.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Beth = Bigmouth?, September 23, 2000

By 

L. Howell (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Bragging War (The Fabulous Five #5) (Paperback)

Beth Barry is furious that everyone is awed by snooty Laura McCall's bragging. And no one's paying any attention to the Fab Five, not even their old friends from Mark Twain! So she decides that whatever Laura brags about next, she's going to top. Only all her plans backfire and instead of great, the Fab Five is starting to become laughingstocks, especially Beth. But Beth still hasn't learned her lesson and she pulls the biggest brag of all- only it's TOTALLY not true! And if she can't pull it off, the Fab Five is DONE FOR. Who will the Great Bragging War?? Find out in this book!

4.0 out of 5 stars Another good book in this series, August 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Bragging War (The Fabulous Five #5) (Paperback)

This was not one of my favorite books in this series, but it was still good!! I can feel for the Fabulous Five when all their old friends start deserting them for the Fantastic Foursome, though I think Beth got too upset. I thought it was true to life how Beth's lies all just started coming out too fast and how accidently she kept putting her friends on the spot. I recommend this whole series to girls out there- so they are not exactly like the girls in BSC, not every girl is the same.