Trading Places with Tank Talbott [Hardcover]

Dori Hillestad Butler (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

Jason Pfeiffer does not want to take swimming lessons or be anywhere near class bully Tank Talbott. Tank does not want to take dance classes. But when the two meet at the rec center, they decide to switch places.

--This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6-Jason is miserable. He's being forced to learn to swim when he'd rather write a horror-film script featuring his sister as the monster. To make matters worse, a staff person at the Rec Center mistakes him for Tank, the neighborhood bully. This gives Jason an idea: he'll take Tank's dance lessons for him, and Tank will take his swimming lessons. What seems simple and fun on the surface is actually a life-changing experience for both boys. Jason learns what it's like to wear Tank's shoes as his reputation gets him in trouble when he's not even there, and the boys end up as reluctant friends. A well-written, up-to-date story, laced with humor and a good sense of adolescent growing pains.
Sharon R. Pearce, Chippewa Elementary School, Bensenville, IL
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Review

"A well-written, up-to-date story, laced with humor and a good sense of adolescent growing pains."

School Library Journal

"Readers will find themselves sympathizing with both kids, as well as thoroughly enjoying themselves."

The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover
• Publisher: Perfection Learning (March 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0756973333
• ISBN-13: 978-0756973339
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,330,628 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dori Hillestad Butler has always wanted to be an author. She wrote her first novel when she was in sixth grade. She wrote it to find out if she could write a novel, and because she needed extra credit in her English class. Her dream of becoming a published author came true in 1997, with the publication of The Great Tooth Fairy Rip-Off. She's gone on to publish more than 35 additional books for children.

Her books have been appeared on children's choice award lists in 18 different states. Trading Places with Tank Talbott won the Maryland Children's Choice Award in 2007. And The Buddy Files: Case of the Lost Boy won the 2011 Edgar Award for best Juvenile Mystery.

Dori has also been a ghostwriter for the Sweet Valley Twins, Unicorn Club and Boxcar Children series, and a children's book reviewer for several publications. She's published numerous short stories, plays and educational materials, and has served as the Iowa Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators' Regional Advisor.

She grew up in southern Minnesota and now lives in Coralville, Iowa with her husband, son, dog and cat. She visits schools and leads writing workshops all over the country.

For more information, visit her website at www.kidswriter.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Trading Places ... is fun!, August 6, 2004

By 

R. Orchanian "RPO" (New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Trading Places with Tank Talbott (Hardcover)

Trading Places is an exciting book!

With respect to the reviewer's 3 star rating, I'd like to express two points.

1.) What might be predictable to an accomplished writer/reviewer is probably not predictable to a teenager. So the teenager finds this story interesting and not predictable.

2.) I think of some people who told me that they didn't see the movie Titantic because they knew the ending. $1 000 000 000 later, I still find that reasoning shallow.

When we drill down, most stories are not truly original. We all know that the value of story is in it's development and execution.

Trading places has an excellent plot. This book is funny while addressing some serious life issues for children.

Ms. Butler's has a special talent of writing books that are both whimsical and important.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable Read, May 6, 2004

By 

Lane Young "Teacher and Librarian" (Highland Park, IL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Trading Places with Tank Talbott (Hardcover)

Jason Pfeiffer has a passion for writing horror movies, especially ones that star his sister as the monster. Tank Talbott has a passion for beating kids up. When Jason discovers that he and tank can be mistaken for each other, he comes up with a plan allowing Tank to get out of dance and himself out of swimming. The switch gives Jason a new appreciation for Tank as the two become friends. This novel will likely appeal to readers with its humor and predictable, but enjoyable, plot.