Cockroach Cooties [Paperback]

Laurence Yep (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2, 2001 | Age Level: 1 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

Streetwise Teddy usually stays outo f sight of the bully nicknamed Arnie-zilla. However, when his little brother, Bobby, insults Arnie, Teddy must come to the rescue -- and become the target of Arnie's wrath instead. Soon Teddy realizes, however, that only Bobby, his pet cockroach, Hercules, and the creepy Bug Lady can keep Arnie-zilla at arm's length. Filled with humor and warmth, this creepy-crawly tale is a tribute to resourcefulness and the unique relationship that only brothers share.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

"There are two kinds of people in this world--the bullies and the victims," Teddy tells his younger brother, Bobby; the two have just incurred the wrath of their schoolmate Arnie, better known as Arnie-zilla. "Guess which bunch we belong to?" However, the boys inadvertently discover that the bully is afraid of cockroaches, and the tables turn. Bobby promptly adopts a critter, which he names Hercules, and introduces Teddy to their eccentric neighbor, the Bug Lady, with whom Bobby has long shared a passion for all things creepy-crawly. Brains win out over brawn as Bobby uses cookies with a mystery ingredient to trick Arnie into a peace treaty--and compassion wins out over vengeance, as the brothers discover that Arnie is more to be pitied than feared. Full of the sights and sounds of San Francisco's Chinatown, the tale zips along at a brisk pace, percolating with snappy dialogue. A seasoned craftsman, Yep (Dragonwings; The Imp Who Ate My Homework) effortlessly shoehorns in fun facts about insects ("Did you know that cockroaches have two brains?" Bobby asks the hapless Arnie as he pursues him with Hercules). An altogether chipper outing. Ages 9-12. (Mar.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-4-Set in the Chinatown section of San Francisco, this modern-day tale is about two brothers, eight and nine, previously featured in Later, Gator (Hyperion, 1995). Teddy, the older child, narrates. Bobby feels responsible for getting Teddy involved with a treacherous bully at school, so he devises a plan to scare the fiend with a cockroach that he obtains from "The Bug Lady," a neighbor studying entomology. The plan is effective until the roach meets with an unfortunate end, but Bobby has a new secret plan that brings Arnie to his knees. Eventually, they realize that his tough attitude is a result of uncaring parents and a difficult home life, and a tentative friendship is formed. Pair this funny, action-packed story with Elizabeth Winthrop's Luke's Bully (Viking, 1990; o.p.). Readers will either be instantly attracted to Cockroach Cooties or completely repelled by it, but those who can stomach the idea of crushed crickets in their chocolate-chip cookies will eat it up.
Elizabeth Maggio, Palos Verdes Library District, Rolling Hills Estates, CA
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 1 and up
  
• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion; First Edition edition (October 2, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786813385
• ISBN-13: 978-0786813384
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #112,073 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #49 in Books > Children's Books > Travel & Cultures > Multicultural Stories > Asian & Asian American

More About the Author

Laurence Yep has been fascinated with tales of sibling rivalry from the day he was born. His older brother, Tom, chose his name Laurence - after a saint who died a particularly gruesome death. Laurence has been trying to get even ever since. Laurence Yep now lives in Pacific Grove, California, with his wife and is one of children's literature's most respected authors. His award-winning titles include Newbery Honor Books Dragonwings and Dragon's Gate.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars wonderful brother tale, August 8, 2003

By 

LAR (New Haven, CT United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cockroach Cooties (Paperback)

I am an adult who loves children's books and I found this one charming. It reminded me very much of my nephews, both the portrayal of the complex of sibling rivalry -- the older brother here thinks he is the only one with the right to beat up the younger one so he protects him from bullies while reserving the right to whack at him himself, the contrasts in the two boys' personalities, the way the younger one loves bugs while the older one is horrified by them. The relationship with the bully rings true for school boy fights as well as the discovery the brothers make about why the bully is so mean and the truce they develop with him. Lots of humor and gently affectionate, I can't wait to read it to my nephews.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A warm, involving story., May 9, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Cockroach Cooties (Bug Boy) (Hardcover)

Streetwise Teddy avoids bullies and trouble but his younger brother seems to invite them and Teddy finds himself on the losing end of a bully's wrath in this gentle story about brothers, friends, and pets. Add a Chinese family's interactions and you have a warm and involving story.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars bugs to bullies!, March 29, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Cockroach Cooties (Bug Boy) (Hardcover)

Bullies are a problem in schools and Yep's gentle story of two brothers working together to outwit the bully works on many levels. Using the fascination with insects is an effective plot device that will keep 8 - 10 year boys interested in a story that could help their social skills.