Toenails, Tonsils, and Tornadoes [Hardcover]

Bonnie Pryor (Author), Helen Cogancherry (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up

The funniest "Martin Snodgrass" yet

Martin Snodgrass, the only "normal" member in a family of overachievers, has the worst Valentine's Day imaginable and makes his theatrical debut -- in a girl's role! Beginning with Vinegar Pancakes and Vanishing Cream, readers have loved Martin's comical escapades. Now new and old fans alike will cheer when disaster strikes the Snodgrass reunion and Martin proves just how special an ordinary boy can be.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-4?Martin Snodgrass's life appears to be perfect. He loves his fourth-grade teacher; he has a terrific friend, Willie; and he has a girlfriend?maybe even two. Occasionally, however, he experiences a scary notion that he was born into the wrong family. His sister is a brain and his brother is a super sports star. Martin is just normal and ordinary. Then, his Great Aunt Henrietta arrives for an extended stay, takes over his bedroom, and changes his life. At the first Snodgrass family reunion, Martin becomes a hero when a tornado strikes their property. He learns that Aunt Henrietta is a different kind of hero?as a teacher, she has "spent her whole life thinking about other people first." With her help, Martin realizes that a family is like the leaves of a tree?all apart yet also connected. Readers will find themselves immediately involved in the antics and activities of the Snodgrasses. The many humorous episodes and the engaging main character make this a story with lots of child appeal. Lively, black-and-white sketches add to the fun. Students who enjoy the writings of Patricia Reilly Giff, Johanna Hurwitz, and Suzy Kline are likely to add Pryor to their list of favorite authors after reading this book.?Patricia Mahoney Brown, Benjamin Franklin Elementary School, Kenmore, NY
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 3^-5. The Snodgrass family is back, this time with a visitor, Aunt Henrietta, and the children aren't too happy about it at first. Henrietta displaces Martin from his bedroom, is allergic to the family dog, and seems to do nothing but talk about unfortunate children in other countries. In lively vignettes, fourth-grader Martin tells about his aunt and describes a variety of happenings that culminate at a family reunion when Martin becomes a hero. The comedy could have been funnier, but the book has some amusing moments, especially when Martin substitutes for his sister in a play and Valentine's Day puts Martin on the spot. Likable characters, a warm family, and language and situations with which readers will undoubtedly relate are among the book's other charms. Kathleen Squires

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 166 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow & Co; First Edition edition (June 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688148859
• ISBN-13: 978-0688148850
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,552,734 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars WHAT A GOOG BOOK!!!!!, April 1, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Toenails, Tonsils, and Tornadoes (Paperback)

This was a good book that my daugther loved and could not put it down. This fuuny story has other books about this same family. Also this book Acelerated reader for school.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I enjoyed this story, July 10, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Toenails, Tonsils, and Tornadoes (Paperback)

In this book Martin Snodgrass and his family are off on another adventure. This time his sister Caroline has to have her tonsils taken out and so does Martin, a tornado wrecks their family reunion and more.