The Pocket Guide to Mischief [Paperback]

Bart King (Author), Brenda Brown (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2008

The greatest leaders and geniuses in history were mischief makers. They were the brave women who looked at how unfair the world was and said, "I can do better than that." They were the stalwart men who saw stupidity and asked, "Why do we have to do it that way?" And they were the delightful children who ganged up on the neighborhood bully and hit him with wet noodles until he said, "Uncle!"

Yes, history's mischief makers had the courage to point out that things like slavery, global warming, and turtleneck sweaters are bad. And they also pulled off some of the greatest hoaxes and practical jokes of all time. Their achievements include the Boston Tea Party, the "War of the Worlds" radio broadcast of 1938, and the Cheese Whiz Disaster of 2008. In honor of them, we introduce The Pocket Guide to Mischief, the perfect addition to any prankster's collection, as well as a fun-filled how-to for the budding troublemaker in all of us.

Bart King, a self-proclaimed "dabbler," is interested in games, magic, current events, music, chess, history, literature, geography, travel, crime, science fiction, art, and almost everything else! The veteran of many water-balloon wars, he's twice won the prized "Arrested Development" award from the New York Society of Amateur Psychologists. He earned a master's degree in history from Sonoma State University and has taught middle school for the past fifteen years.

Bart's work has been featured in The Oregonian, The Portland Tribune, Chicago Parent, Family Fun magazine and many other publications. He has also appeared on dozens of television and radio programs including the widely syndicated "Bob and Tom Show."

Not only is Bart a wild and crazy boy, he's also the author of the bestselling Big Book of Boy Stuff. Bart subsequently co-authored The Big Book of Girl Stuff with his five sisters and 50 former students. This title won widespread acclaim; if you are skeptical (and you should be!) please see its product page.

Also, take a look at these fun links:

• Bart's fabulously fun and entertaining blogs: Ultra-Gross! and Unexpectedly Bart
• Bart's awesome Website: Bartking.net
• Bart's: Amazon Author Page
  

(20090422)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Bart King is my new hero. On the surface, his books might look like they're getting by on being similar to the ubiquitous Dangerous Book for Boys. King's pocket guides-with illustrations of paper airplanes, Chuck Taylors, and a slingshot on their covers-do cash in on that kind of scrappy retro charm. But these books are something entirely different. These books are hilarious. And informative-if you want to know how to get the best of your nemesis or play toilet tag. What makes these special is not only that they're well-written, well-designed, and funny, but also that they present information that is actually new and actually useful (again, useful to the sorts of people who like to play toilet tag). A few tantalizing sample tastes: From The Pocket Guide to Mischief: "You'll need some cream cheese. First, roll the deodorant out maybe half an inch . . ." From The Pocket Guide to Games: "Fill several balloons with water, and hang one from a tree . . ." From The Pocket Guide to Boy Stuff: "Here are two hand-grenade designs that you can use that won't start a fire . . ." If these don't seem gender-neutral enough, and you have a daughter who is into this kind of thing, rest assured that Bart King also has girl versions: The Big Book of Girl Stuff gracefully and barely touches on puberty, but includes plenty of pranks, code names, and hijinx for kids who like bright pink more than baseballs on the covers of their books. Should someone you know be interested, visit the author's web site: www.bartking.net. It includes video clips illustrating some of the guides' proposed activities! (Katy Killilea Kidoinfor )

Bart King is my new hero. On the surface, his books might look like they're getting by on being similar to the ubiquitous Dangerous Book for Boys. King's pocket guides-with illustrations of paper airplanes, Chuck Taylors, and a slingshot on their covers-do cash in on that kind of scrappy retro charm. But these books are something entirely different.

These books are hilarious. And informative-if you want to know how to get the best of your nemesis or play toilet tag. What makes these special is not only that they're well-written, well-designed, and funny, but also that they present information that is actually new and actually useful (again, useful to the sorts of people who like to play toilet tag).

A few tantalizing sample tastes: From The Pocket Guide to Mischief: "You'll need some cream cheese. First, roll the deodorant out maybe half an inch . . ." From The Pocket Guide to Games: "Fill several balloons with water, and hang one from a tree . . ." From The Pocket Guide to Boy Stuff: "Here are two hand-grenade designs that you can use that won't start a fire . . ."

If these don't seem gender-neutral enough, and you have a daughter who is into this kind of thing, rest assured that Bart King also has girl versions: The Big Book of Girl Stuff gracefully and barely touches on puberty, but includes plenty of pranks, code names, and hijinx for kids who like bright pink more than baseballs on the covers of their books.

Should someone you know be interested, visit the author's web site: www.bartking.net. It includes video clips illustrating some of the guides' proposed activities! (Katy Killilea Kidoinfo )

From the Back Cover

Mischief, thou art afoot. -Will Shakespeare Bart King is the author of The Big Book of Boy Stuff and The Big Book of Girl Stuff. A longtime middle school teacher, Bart lives in Portland, Oregon, where he invents new sock designs and plays in a kazoo jazz quartet.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Gibbs Smith; 1ST edition (February 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1423603664
• ISBN-13: 978-1423603665
• Product Dimensions: 5.9 x 4.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #506,840 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #34 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Reference > Fun Facts > Trivia

More About the Author

I write funny (and educational!) books for younger readers and immature adults. My newest title is "Cute! A Guide to All Things Adorable".

POP QUIZ-- One of my books was once Amazon's #5 overall bestseller. Guess which one!
HINT: It is a "big book."
ADDITIONAL HINT: It has a blue cover.
LAST HINT: It was "The Big Book of Boy Stuff".

Visit me at www.bartking.net

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I laughed, I cried, I started scheming..., February 9, 2008

By 

Thomas Duff "Duffbert" (Portland, OR United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Pocket Guide to Mischief (Paperback)

I think that Bart King is my favorite "author you never heard of". His latest book, The Pocket Guide to Mischief, is one of those entertaining tongue-in-cheek reads that you'll love as an adult, and then you'll hope your kid never finds it. If they do, you'll become their "nemesis" for sure...

Contents:
Introduction; Choosing Your Target or Nemesis; Mischief Quiz!; Harmless Trickery 101 - How to Defend Home and Self; Oldies but Goodies; Practical Jokes Inspired by Ancient Rome; Amusing Slights and Friendly Jibes; Spy Games; Mischief of the Rich and Famous; Inspired by the Oxford Dictionary; International Mischief; Mischievous Foods; Sporting Mischief; Duels; Bodily Mischief; Lessons from Stravinsky; Be True to Your School; Careers in Mischief; Acknowledgments; Bibliography

The book starts out with an explanation of "mischief" so that everyone's on the same page when it comes to crossing lines. Then there's the "warning pledge"... "I will be safe. I will not damage or destroy property. I will be sly. I will never hurt anyone with a prank. I will never prank anyone for money. Hail, Cheese Whiz!" I don't know whether I'm pleased or dismayed that this would play well in the crowds I run with. :) Anyway, each chapter is a mix of humor, history, and suggestions on tricks and pranks you can have fun with once you have picked your nemesis. Like perhaps taking a handful of paper from the copy machine or printer, write a humorous note on the bottom of the page (such as "<name> is a genius!"), and then replace them back in the device. Make sure your nemesis is the next person to use the machine... Or see if you can plant one end of a two-way radio somewhere (or even on a pet if you can pull it off), and then "talk" to the people as they walk by. I also learned how to insult in the Scottish tradition, using such great words as bluntie, dandiprat, muppet, and "muffin top". I'm sure my Scottish friends will help expand that vocabulary, too.

Bart's writing reminds me in some ways of Dave Barry... off-beat, a little insane, but a lot of fun if you're willing to go with the flow. I read his Architectural Guide to Portland (where we both live), expecting something less than riveting. What I got was the funniest and most informative architecture book I've ever read (it was the first architecture book I ever read, too... but I digress). My offer to read and review this one came in an email titled "Bad News". He even dropped the copy off at my house with an inscription on the inside cover... "My apologies in advance". With that kind of interaction, how could I refuse?

Much fun to be had here, and depending on the types of friends you keep, plenty of material for "enhancing" that friendship.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Chockfull of mischief, jokes, humor and just plain nonsense!, May 4, 2010

By 

Kurt A. Johnson (North-Central Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Pocket Guide to Mischief (Paperback)

This handy-dandy little book is chockfull of mischief, jokes, humor and just plain nonsense! Brought to you courtesy of Bart King, the author of The Big Book of Boy Stuff, The Big Book of Girl Stuff, and The Pocket Guide to Brilliance, this book is another fun and funny work of art.

I guess I should say that in a way it is very hard to categorize this book, as it has a little of everything, none of which is to be taken too seriously. But, it is a lot of fun to read through. Heck, to review it, I had to wrestle it away from my teenager!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another great book from King., February 2, 2010

By 

Ben Miller (Portland, OR USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Pocket Guide to Mischief (Paperback)

This book is a great way to escape for a little while. Absolutely hilarious and thoroughly enjoyable to read. Possibly marketed toward children, but it is great for all ages, especially those light at heart. If you were ever a child you will love this book!