General Butterfingers [Mass Market Paperback]

John Reynolds Gardiner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1993 | Age Level: 8 and up

Eleven-year-old Walter is best friends with the Spitzers--the three surviving members of a crack WWII rescue team. When the Spitzers saved General Britt's life, he left them his home. Now the General's nasty nephew is trying to evict them. It's up to Walter to come up with a battle plan--and win the Spitzer's war against the nephew.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-4 A preposterous but satisfactory story about Walter, a 12-year-old boy who saves the fortune of three old timers. On General Britt's death, his greedy nephew claims the house and fortune, and immediately wants the General's three war buddies, Walter, and his mother (their housekeeper) to vacate. Walter first tries to reason with him, then attempts to tape a confession, and finally prepares an all-out attack. Although the house is destroyed in the process, a second copy of General Butterfingers' will is discovered, and the three friends are able to help other needy veterans. Written in action-packed dialogue and illustrated with cartoon-like drawings, General Butterfingers would be a good choice for hard-to-please elementary grade readers. Constance Allen, Tabor Academy, Marion, Mass.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

Grade 2-4 A preposterous but satisfactory story about Walter, a 12-year-old boy who saves the fortune of three old timers. On General Britt's death, his greedy nephew claims the house and fortune, and immediately wants the General's three war buddies, Walter, and his mother (their housekeeper) to vacate. Walter first tries to reason with him, then attempts to tape a confession, and finally prepares an all-out attack. Although the house is destroyed in the process, a second copy of General Butterfingers' will is discovered, and the three friends are able to help other needy veterans. Written in action-packed dialogue and illustrated with cartoon-like drawings, General Butterfingers would be a good choice for hard-to-please elementary grade readers. Constance Allen, Tabor Academy, Marion, Mass.
  (School Library Journal ) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (May 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140363556
• ISBN-13: 978-0140363555
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,273,132 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific!, September 18, 2000

By 

Roz Levine - See all my reviews

This review is from: General Butterfingers (Mass Market Paperback)

The Spitzers were three World War II rescue commandos, brave and fearless and their greatest accomplishment was saving the life of General Britt. After the war was over, the General invited them to come live with him, his housekeeper, Mrs Wilson and her son, Walter, in his house on Felton Street. And they all live happily together for many years. Sadly, General Britt passed away, leaving the house to the three, now very old warriors. That is until the letter came. The General's nasty nephew, Ralph, claims he's the heir to the General's estate and is giving the Spitzers, Mrs Wilson and Walter one week to get out. But Walter will have none of this. He is determined to find a way to save the house for his "family" and stop Ralph from throwing them out. He tells the Spitzers, "We're not giving up this house without a fight." So begins General Butterfingers, John Reynolds Gardiner's fast paced, action packed story, that will delight and amuse even the hardest to please readers. Gardiner has filled his book with great characters, lots of dialogue and funny, vivid scenes that will keep kids turning pages to the end, as they watch Walter lead the Spitzers into one last battle. This is the perfect book for kids aged 9-12 and a wonderful read-aloud story the whole family will enjoy.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read aloud, April 6, 2006

By 

Ophelia Montana "Tanya" (Hanau, Germany) - See all my reviews

This review is from: General Butterfingers (Mass Market Paperback)

I am a fourth grade teacher at an American military school in Germany. I have used this book as a read aloud for many years and it is constantly rated as one of their favorites at the end of the year. They always want to know where they can buy their own copy and I'm very sorry to tell them that it's out of print. You can't find a better story to read around Veteran's Day than this.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite!, May 2, 2010

By 

E. Hoffman (Ohio) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: General Butterfingers (Mass Market Paperback)

As a grade three teacher I've come across TONS of children's books in my career. One of the best times in a teacher's day is reading to students. General Butterfingers has become my favorite! A woman is a cook and housekeeper for 3 sweet veterans. Her son interacts in such a special way with the gentlemen that the whole story is touching, especially when Walter and the men formulate and carry out a plan to keep the veterans from being taken to live in a Veterans Home.

I given MANY copies of this book as a gift to the children of friends, relatives, and neighbors.