Customer Reviews

The Top 10 Ways to Ruin the First Day of 5th Grade

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Being a Letterman fan AND a 5th grade teacher, I had high hopes for this book, and it didn't let me down. The Top 10 lists are very clever and funny, appealing to both the true Letterman fan, as well as to kids reading the tale of Tony Baloney and his lifelong dream to make an appearance on The Late Show. From a teacher's point of view, a Tony Baloney-type kid seems to be in my class each and every year. He's the kind of student who is bright, witty, and at the same time, a barrel of frustration. Tony's the kid who drives teachers mad day in and day out, yet as a classroom teacher, your class would lack the life and spunk without him.

Tony Baloney's quest for his "Holy Grail" takes him and a couple of his daring friends on a cross country journey from Kansas City to NYC. Along the way they endure, yet relish in, Tony's love of life and take the reader on a trip through the eyes and actions of a 21st century kid.

This book is a must read for anyone who is chasing a dream and for teachers looking for a book to remind them of why we teach. For it's witnessing the dreams and actions of children like Tony come to fruition that make being a teacher so rewarding!

This book is funny. My teacher is making us read 5 books but by far this is my favorite. Tony ( the "funny man" ) seems to always find a way to soak his teacher. You will love his lists at the end of each chapter. IMPORTANT: READ! IS VERY FUNNY!!!

both of my boys pick this book for their required summer reading list for school. They both find the book entertaining.

In this story, the fifth grade boy wants so badly to get on the David Letterman's Late show that he finds a way to get there. Through his journey, he meets a number of characters, and gets all these people to help him get to his goal.
My 11 year old son loved the book, laughed reading all the crazy things the boy goes through, and discovered New York City and the Late Show! It is a great lesson of perseverence. Very enjoyable book!

If you like books about adventure then you should read "The Top 10 Ways to Ruin the First Day of School" by Ken Derby.
The book takes place in Kansas City and New York. It is about Tony, Mo, Anna, and Mr. Gore. Ever since Tony can remember he has been watching The Late Show and wanting to be on it .Now he has the chance to get invited to the show. So he goes with his teacher and friends on an escapade but Tony, Anna, and Mo get lost. Do Tony and his friends find their teacher? Does he get to be on The Late Show? You just have to read this book to find out.
I would recommend this book because it is interesting and funny .I give this book4 stars because many exciting things happen.

Have you every messed up the first day of school with 10 good ways? We think that you should definitely read this book!! The way we felt about this book was that it was very funny and interesting. We give it five stars because it is a hilarious book. We recommend this book to all ages because it can cheer you up when you are feeling down. This awesome book is guaranteed to make you laugh.

Book review by: Lauren, Vaness, and Rebecca

The Top 10 Ways to Ruin the First Day of School

Do you like comedy books? If so, The Top 10 Ways to Ruin the First Day of school written by Ken Derby is for you. Tony Madison, (Tony Baloney or TB) Anna, Mo, and Mr. Gore are the main characters. The 3 (not including Mr. Gore) are always getting into trouble. They really bug their teacher. TB stops at nothing to get on The Late Show with David Letterman. One day on Halloween, he wears a bear suit at the Chiefs/Jets football game. Pretending to go to the restroom, TB, Anna, and Mo, sneaks down to the field to get a football autographed by a professional player. He runs out on the field, and runs away from the people on the field. He scores a fake touchdown. Will it make him famous? Will he make it to the Late Show? You'll just have to read and find out for yourself in the book The Top 10 Ways to Ruin the First Day of School. We recommend you to read this book, because it was good and no boring parts all the way through the entire book. That's why we give the book 5 out of 5 stars.
By: Jake, Robert, Nathan, Tyler

THIS IS A EXELENT BOOK I BOUGHT IT OF OF OUR SCOLASTIC BOOK OREDER THING AS A JOKE TO MY TEACHERS AND SAID"ILL USE THIS STUFF NEXT YEAR" THEN I READ IT AND I LOVED IT!!!!! IT IS HALARIOUS WHEN HE GETS INTO LOTS OF TROUBLE AND THINKS OF WAYS TO GET OUT OF IT I DONT THINK I SHOULD TELL YOU ANYMORE OR IT WILL SPOILL THE BOOK THANKS FOR READING MY REVIEW
AND ALSO I AM WAY KOOLER THAN YOU AND BETTER!!! JUST KIDDING

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My 11 Year old daughter is telling me what to write here:

This book is very funny! The book starts with Tony wanting to get on the David Letterman show. Tony writes some top 10 lists and sends them into David Lettermans show hoping that David will read them and invite Tony onto the show. Here is an example of one of the Top 10 Lists:

The Top 10 ways to ruin the 1st day of 5th grade:

10. Wear your pajamas to school instead of your favorite jeans and T-shirt.

9. Tell the rest of the class what a dork your teacher is when he is standing behind you.

8. Notice that your fly is down... After you have been in class for 3 hours!

7. Rush into the restroom, drop your pants, sit, and realize your in the wrong restroom.

6. Sneeze, and accidentally blow boogers all over your teachers desk.

5. Fall asleep in class and dream you are using the toilet.

4. Enjoy playing building blocks on the 1st day of school, only to wonder why you are a giant compared to the rest of the kids in the class.

3. Drop your lunch bag into an unflushed toilet.

2. Eat beans the night before the first day of school.

1. Get your foot stuck in the toilet in the boys restroom and then have to get rescued by the 911 guys.

That is a sample of what you will find in the book. David Letterman is surprised by how funny the lists are and invites Tony on the show. I wont tell you anymore cause I will give it all away, but you will enjoy the book if you read it!

A rollicking, delightful, and suspenseful treat! This story of Tony's mission in pre-teen life captures the wacky, not-always-sensible-but-always-hilarious escapades of 5th graders. I wondered how the author could sustain the adventurous pace and was impressed that every chapter began with an attention-getting idea, progressed with hilarious detours and mishaps, and ended with yet another unique and amusing top 10 list. The story builds naturally to Tony's dream encounter with Letterman - but there's even more to come once he thinks he's "arrived"! Although I am an adult and teacher of older students, I was thoroughly engrossed and entertained. This book is a welcome comical relief and tribute to the humorous foibles of everyday life.

As one who has always enjoyed David Letterman's Show and his unique humor, I found this book to be funny in the same way.

Tony's top 10 lists which he sends to Letterman are great and in true Letterman fashion.

This would be a great book for Dave to own and give to his own son Harry when he reaches grade school!