My Life as a Fifth-Grade Comedian [Paperback]

Elizabeth Levy (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

Bobby is the class clown. He can always be counted on to crack up his friends and sometimes even the teachers. But he can't always be counted on to stay out of trouble'and that's no joke when you're in danger of being shipped off to a special school for kids with ‘behavioral problems.' Bobby's got one last chance to prove to his teachers, his principal, and his parents'especially his super-sarcastic dad'that he can be taken seriously. His assignment: to put on a school-wide laugh-off. It's teachers vs. students'and may the best comic win. It's also a chance for Bobby to show his dad that mean jokes aren't just kidding around. Packed with kid-tested jokes and riddles, this funny novel is also a thoughtful exploration of the power of laughter to hurt'and to heal.

2000-2001 Georgia's Picture Storybook Award & Georgia's Children's Book Award Masterlist

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-7. Class clown Bobby is headed for a fall. Pushing him toward the drop are his father, the sarcasm master, and his mother, who is afraid to speak up. He quits doing his homework, continually speaks out of turn in class, is unable to communicate with his parents, and his jokes turn into put-downs. He unintentionally hurts his best friend, and even Mr. Matous, his humor-loving teacher, draws the line. When the principal threatens to transfer Bobby to a special school, Mr. Matous offers him a chance to turn things around with a special project?the creation, development, and execution of a school-wide Laugh-Off. As the boy's ideas blossom into reality, the pressures build, exacerbating problems at home, but also allowing him to exhibit his capabilities and talents. The realistic setting explores the types of family tensions children often face. The characters react consistently, responding to one another and changing situations with believable emotions, and, ultimately, with the self-realization and growth that allows them to spring back to a life that contains love, hope, and true humor. In addition, Levy incorporates a cornucopia of jokes and a wealth of subtle advice on becoming a comic. There is great pleasure in seeing Bobby and his father's earlier sarcasm and angry dialogue transformed by a turn of attitude into universal, and really funny comedy.?Darcy Schild, Schwegler Elementary School, Lawrence, KS
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 4^-6. Like Gary Boone in Louis Sachar's Dogs Don't Tell Jokes (1991), fifth-grader Bobby Garrick has a hard time being serious. He loves the attention he gets when he tells jokes, which have always been part of his relationship with his father and older brother, Jimmy. But now Jimmy has been kicked out of the house, and Dad's jokes have become hurtful instead of funny. With all the tension at home, Bobby's grades have been slipping, and there is a real chance he'll be sent to an alternative school. It takes a caring teacher, who suggests that Bobby use his quick wit to organize a schoolwide comedy contest, to help Bobby and his family put things right. Levy doesn't clean up all the family's problems (Dad still doesn't realize when his jokes are cruel; Jimmy still cheats at cards), but she does give Bobby back his sense of self-esteem and his family and offers plenty of jokes to leaven the sober elements in the story. Stephanie Zvirin --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (July 11, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0064407233
• ISBN-13: 978-0064407236
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #165,971 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars My Life as A fifth Grade Comedian, January 11, 2007

A Kid's Review

This review is from: My Life as a Fifth-Grade Comedian (Paperback)

Alex
Have you ever had a class clown in your class? In the book, My Life As A Fifth-Grade Comedian, Bobby, the main character, is a huge class clown. Additionally, he never does his homework and slacks off in school. His teacher Mr. Maooouus, can also be funny, but he doesn't over do it being too funn, unlike Bobb. So one day MR. Matous asks the class to write a way on how the school could be improved. Bobby writes about a Laugh-Off. A Laugh-Off is a contest in which the winner is the one who gets the most laughs. Mr. Matous says if you make this Laugh-Off real, then we won't have to kick you out of school. Bobby was going to get kicked out because he was doing so bad in school. Will He get kicked out of school, or wll he stay, and make the Laugh-Off happen.
I thought this book was very good. I liked that every chapter has a joke, Why are vampires so bad, becuase they are suckers. I thought some of them were funny. I also liked how the author kept focus on the main characters. She could've just said some details that don't mean anything, but she didn't. I think the author did a very good job writing the book; it was smooth and easy to follow. The only part I din't like is the characters who had bad personality traits. For example, some kids thought they were funny bbut they weren't. I thought they were annoying. I give this book four stars out of five. This is a great book to read, I would reccomend it. Have you ever had a class clown in your class? In the book, My Life As A Fifth-Grade Comedian, Bobby, the main character, is a huge class clown. Additionally, he never does his homework and slacks off in school. His teacher Mr. Maooouus, can also be funny, but he doesn't over do it being too funn, unlike Bobb. So one day MR. Matous asks the class to write a way on how the school could be improved. Bobby writes about a Laugh-Off. A Laugh-Off is a contest in which the winner is the one who gets the most laughs. Mr. Matous says if you make this Laugh-Off real, then we won't have to kick you out of school. Bobby was going to get kicked out because he was doing so bad in school. Will He get kicked out of school, or wll he stay, and make the Laugh-Off happen.
I thought this book was very good. I liked that every chapter has a joke, Why are vampires so bad, becuase they are suckers. I thought some of them were funny. I also liked how the author kept focus on the main characters. She could've just said some details that don't mean anything, but she didn't. I think the author did a very good job writing the book; it was smooth and easy to follow. The only part I din't like is the characters who had bad personality traits. For example, some kids thought they were funny bbut they weren't. I thought they were annoying. I give this book four stars out of five. This is a great book to read, I would reccomend it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My Life As A Fifth Grade Comedian, January 20, 2006

By 

Dwain Davare "Dwa" (London LP UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: My Life as a Fifth-Grade Comedian (Paperback)

I Thought It Was A Great Book It Was Very Hard To Put Down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You Must Read This Book!, May 10, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: My Life as a Fifth-Grade Comedian (Paperback)

You have to read "My Life as a Fifth Grade Comedian". It is written by Elizabeth Levy. Its a funny book packed with hilarious jokes! The story is about a boy who holds a "laugh-off" at his school. In the laugh-off people tell jokes. The cover had the boy's face on it. He is wearing a smiley face tie. There are lots of characters so i am most positive you can relate to at least one of them. The setting of the story reminded me of my community and school. So if you feel like laughing your pants off, you must read this book!