Niagara Falls, Or Does It? #1 (Hank Zipzer) [Hardcover]

Henry Winkler (Author), Lin Oliver (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up | Series: Hank Zipzer

For Hank, fourth grade does not start out on the right foot. First of all, he gets called to the principal's office on the very first day of school. Then the first assignment his teacher gives him is to write five paragraphs on "What You Did This Summer." Hank is terrified-writing one good sentence is hard for him, so how in the world is he going to write five whole paragraphs? Hank comes up with a plan: instead of writing what he did on vacation, he'll show what he did. But when Hank's "living essay" becomes a living disaster, he finds himself in detention. Strangely enough, however, detention ends up becoming a turning point in his life.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-5-On the first day of fourth grade, Hank's teacher assigns a five-paragraph essay, "What I did on my summer vacation," and he knows he's in trouble. It has always been difficult for him to read, write, and spell so he decides to "build" his assignment instead-to "-bring Niagara Falls into the classroom, water and all." With the help of his friends, he creates a working model, complete with water pump, Saran-wrapped tubing, and a papier-mƒch‚ mountain. Predictably, his "living essay" comes to an unfortunate end when a leak leads to a flood and chaos in the classroom. Hank's creativity is rewarded with two weeks' detention and grounding, but his friends are counting on his help for their upcoming magic show. Just when the boy's self-esteem is at its lowest, the new music teacher suspects that he has "learning differences" and suggests that he be tested. Eventually, the misunderstood protagonist convinces his parents to let him perform in the show, which is a big hit, largely thanks to Hank's ingenuity. Less dysfunctional and outrageous than Joey Pigza, Hank Zipzer is the kid next door. Humor, magic, a school bully, a pet dachshund named Cheerio, and a pet iguana that slurps soup at dinner add up to a fun novel with something for everyone.
Barbara Auerbach, New York City Public Schools
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 3-5. Actor-director Winkler joins the growing list of celebrities writing children's books with this humorous novel, coauthored by Oliver. Fourth-grade underachiever Hank claims he wants to do the right thing, but somehow he always messes up. Take the assignment Hank's teacher doles out on the first day of school: write a five-paragraph essay, "What I did on my summer vacation." Since writing is hard for him, Hank does a visual presentation on his visit to Niagara Falls instead--and winds up flooding the classroom. Some of the characters are stereotypes, such as buffoonish Principal Love and Hank's overly strict teacher, Ms. Adolf, but others, including Hank, are believable and sympathetic. When the school's music teacher befriends Hank while supervising his detention, he begins to suspect that Hank has a learning problem and suggests that he be tested. At the end, Hank realistically relates his fears about what the test may reveal. Boys who struggle in school will especially appreciate the story, but this enjoyable, fast-paced novel will draw other children as well. Lauren Peterson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap; First Edition edition (May 12, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0448432323
• ISBN-13: 978-0448432328
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #275,656 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, December 23, 2003

By 

Tania (Cave Creek, Arizona) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Niagara Falls, Or Does It? #1 (Hank Zipzer) (Paperback)

As a ten year old student reporter, I had the honor of interviewing Henry and Lin at a writing conference in Los Angeles. I have read the first three books in this series and look forward to reading all of them. These books are hysterical and moving. As a girl with (around) a twelfth grade reading level, I mostly don't read books as easy as this. But all in all I loved all three. I have read them each about three or four times. Don't you just love the last name "Zipzer"? Anyway, these three books are totally awesome, I will keep on reading them for the rest of my life. As soon as you finish reading this review, buy the Hank Zipzer books. It is worth it. Also, in case you didn't know, Henry Winkler is dyslexic so when you buy his books about a dyslexic boy in many ways you are supporting him. All he wants is for kids to not have to go through what he did as a child. P.S. I didn't mean to sound as if I was bragging before.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Grandmothers Point of View, May 20, 2003

By 

Eunice Spooner (Sidney, ME USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Niagara Falls, Or Does It? #1 (Hank Zipzer) (Paperback)

This book is "a must read" book for all ages. In this extremely entertaining story you are very apt to recognize some child you know. As a young reader you may gain a better understanding of a friend with a learning disability. If you have a learning disability, you may identify with Hank and his problems and realize you are not alone. Adults will grasp the feelings of a youngster with reading, writing and spelling problems. I highly recommend this book, along with its sequel, "I Got a D in Salami" and look forward to more adventures of Hank Zipzer.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hooray for the Fonz!, October 26, 2004

By 

Ron Atkins "Ron" (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Niagara Falls, Or Does It? #1 (Hank Zipzer) (Paperback)

Normally, I don't bother reading children's books written by celebrities, but this series of books is funny, lighthearted, and full of the nonsensical humor of the Fonz. In the beginning he describes his 4th grade hero, Hank, as the "world's best underachiever." Hank abhors school essays, so instead of writing about Niagara Falls, he builds a working model of the falls and brings it to class for show and tell. The resulting disaster lands him in the Principal's office. According to the authors Winkler and Oliver, "The hall is a only place when you're sitting outside the Principal's office."

This book is ideal for readers aged 8-10. It uses silly, irreverent, classroom humor to tell the story of a young boy who enlists the aid of his classmates to keep him out of trouble. This is one book in a series of similar stories, and promises good reading for both parents and elementary school kids. As an aspiring writer for children (Abby and the Bicycle Caper), I found this book entertaining and suitable for family reading.