Bully Trouble (Step-Into-Reading, Step 3) [Paperback]

Joanna Cole (Author), Marylin Hafner (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up | Series: Step into Reading

Illus. in full color. "Plagued by a bully named Eddie who steals their treats, Arlo and Robbie turn the tables on him by concocting an enticing lunch that is booby-trapped with hot sauce. The plot is sure to please and the reading is easy, with jaunty color cartoon drawings providing visual backup."--Booklist.  

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-3-- An old theme revisited. Arlo and Robby are best friends who enjoy playing ball together. A much bigger kid, Eddie, delights in taunting them and taking their things: food, ball glove, and soda pop. In an effort to retaliate, Arlo and Robby concoct a hot chili sandwich and a prune juice and vinegar "soda" and trick him into consuming them. The other older boys assure Arlo and Robby that Eddie will not bother them again as, "He only picks on kids who let him get away with it." The sentences are short and choppy with little variation in sentence structure. The incidents seem contrived, and the solution is too pat to ring true. There are many better books in this series and in other series for early primary readers. --Sharron McElmeel, Cedar Rapids Community Schools, IA
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Library Binding edition.

From the Inside Flap

Illus. in full color. "Plagued by a bully named Eddie who steals their treats, Arlo and Robbie turn the tables on him by concocting an enticing lunch that is booby-trapped with hot sauce. The plot is sure to please and the reading is easy, with jaunty color cartoon drawings providing visual backup."--Booklist.  

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (October 17, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0394849493
• ISBN-13: 978-0394849492
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,093,520 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It's useful, but..., November 6, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Bully Trouble (Step-Into-Reading, Step 3) (Paperback)

Arlo and Robby were good friends. They hanged out together but they also encountered a bully together. The story gives insight to children that life still moves on even if they are bullied. Reading the story, children learn to deal with bully troubles through support from their friendship. I an not comfortable with how these two boys ended their bully torubles. What if children apply the strategy to their real-life bully troubles but do not get the same desirable results? I suggest adults participation to discuss with young readers different potential endings that the story might have conclued. A fair and lucky result may not be what actually happens in a real life situation.

5.0 out of 5 stars Charming friendship facing a bully, September 2, 2009

By 

R. Day (Dale, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Bully Trouble (Step-Into-Reading, Step 3) (Paperback)

The best part of this is the two friends and how close they are. When facing a bully they team up to do something about it. Maybe in real life your child wouldn't make a hot chili sandwich and a yucky drink for a bully to steal and eat, but haven't we all wanted to do just that. My 4 year old gets a real kick out of this book. He feels for the boys when the bully takes their things and trips them or makes them feel bad. And he glories in their revenge. It feels good.

I recommend this book even if the solution is not realistic for our kids. It's about empowering. We already discussed more acceptable ways of dealing with real life bullies. But this book is still good because we can laugh at the bully.

There are other books with these two boys but the series doesn't seem to have a name. Another one is "The missing tooth". Another good one about friendship.

4.0 out of 5 stars Self Defence, December 5, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Bully Trouble (Step-Into-Reading, Step 3) (Paperback)

I feel that the book Bully Trouble will give kids a bost in

their self-covendince they will fell that they can stand up to

any one. It shows kids that they dont have to result to

violence as the only answer. I think it will give kids a

different way to settle thier differnces and teach them to

stand up for their selves.