Customer Reviews

Toby and the Phantoms of the Fourth Grade

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Ever have gifted students who couldn't "fit in"? Toby was one and his frightening adventure will catch you holding your breath! Written in present tense, replete with figurative language, cliff hangers, real life problems, great characterization, you won't be able to put it down! Toby is proof that sometimes our greatest fears are of ourselves. Don't miss it!

This classic children's book is about Toby, a gifted student who moves from Manhattan to a small town and has trouble getting along with the other kids. He's socially awkward and, while he's smart, he's not particularly good at baseball or bike riding -- things his new classmates seem to value more highly than smarts. Toby is made fun of several times and so he first tries to get along but then decides to get revenge! This leads to an adventure in which he and three other boys must ultimately work together to make it through one adventurous, spooky night spent in the town's "haunted" house.

The author is a fine writer -- dialogue is realistic and metaphors and interesting language abound. With short chapters, this is a great read aloud book or even a solo reader for kids in the 4th grade age range.

I first heard of this book when I was in fourth grade and our teacher read it to us about 25 years ago. At the time, it was just called Toby. When I grew up and had children of my own, I searched high and low for a copy. I thought I would never find one, but I did...and I couldn't be happier. My oldest son has read it, and I look forward to reading it with my youngest son when he reaches that age. I think it is a book that every school library should have!