Customer Reviews

Who Put That Hair in My Toothbrush?

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Growing up in a family with five kids, I am very familiar with the topic of sibling rivalry- the constant squabbles, the nasty name-calling, and the occasional all-out brawl. However, the occasional fights between my siblings seem minor when compared to the non-stop warfare between the brother and sister characters in Jerry Spinelli's "Who Put That Hair in My Toothbrush?"

"Who Put That Hair in My Toothbrush?" details the lives of two suburban Pennsylvannian middle-schoolers: ninth grader, Greg Tofer, and his seventh grader sister, Megin. Spinelli gives each character a viewpoint with alternating chapters to allow Greg and Megin to discuss their lives. Greg's life revolves mainly around girls- his desire to impress his crush, Jennifer Wade, with a body toned and tanned by a summer of weightlifting and healthy eating, and his relationship with a much more available girl, Sara Bellamy. Greg also details his friendships with immature loudmouth, Valducci, and fourteen years old going on thirty, Poff. On the other hand, Megin's chapters present her as a hardnosed tomboy- whose life revolves around hockey, donuts, and a friendship with a lonely old woman. Megin has friends her age too- flighty chattermouth, Sue Ann, and the "exotic" Californian, Zoe.

However, the majority of the book deals with how much Greg and Megin literally hate one another. They battle over EVERYTHING and there is not one tactic they won't resort to in order to embarrass and annoy the other such as sticking a hair in a toothbrush. They won't even acknowledge each other's names- to Gregg, Megin is "Megamouth" and he's "Grosso" to her. They even use their four year old brother, Toddie, as an instrument in their warfare with each vying for the affections of the little boy. Oh, they also resort to violence against one another on occasion. Their good-hearted, jolly father and tired mother try to reconcile the two, but it seems hopeless because as Megin puts it the two of them are like a cobra and a mongoose- "natural enemies." However, events will prove that Greg and Megin do need each other.

Jerry Spinelli writes in an extremely humorous style which captures the emotional upheavals of the average middle-schooler so it was surprising to discover that he's a grandfather! In fact, "Who Put that Hair in My Toothbrush?" was first published over twenty years ago and it's age shows in spots- record players, leg warmers, Wayne Gretsky as an Edmonton Oiler, ect. However, it still captures the subject of sibling rivalry fairly well- although Spinelli at times paints the picture a little broadly and the characters little too unlikeable (Megin in particular can come across as an appallingly spoiled brat!) Overall, though, this is fairly amusing story and will keep one entertained.

When I read this book, I found out that I couldn't put it down for several days! I know that you will love this book! It is about Megan and Greg (siblings) that have troubles with each other and their family. The chapters are written by Megan and Greg (they switch off every chapter). I didn't want this book to end!!!! I wanted it to keep going forever! Overall, you should read this book!

You always go through a book and in the end you think, "what would it of been like if the book was writen from a different character's point of view?" Well this book does both. You will read a chapter or 2 from the brother's point of view and then read from the sister's point of view for another chapter or 2! A great story with love, friendship, and the relationship between a brother and sister. I could relate to this book easly, except there isn't ice in Arizona. Surprise after surprise, you can't put this book down with out wondering what will happen next. All teenagers in Middle School or Jr. High must read this book.

I have really enjoyed reading this book and I would definitely recommend this book to any Jerry Spinelli fan. It's not his absolute best work though. The central characters, Greg, (a.k.a. Grosso) and his little sister Megan (also known as Megamouth or Dimpus) are always bickering. Megan's a slob; Greg's a neat freak. This simple difference is the source of trouble in the story. The fighting between these two is nonstop; will it remain unresolved?

I love the way the book is written- how each chapter alternates between perspectives, Greg to Megan, Megan to Greg. Each chapter leaves you hanging, wanting more as you see the same events through different eyes. The fighting and bickering will seem familiar and realistic to anyone with a sibling.

Jerry Spinelli writes his books like a delicate art. Each chapter in any of his books leaves you with emotion from the book, as if holding on to you. Every book he writes is pure poetry and art. He is definitely my favorite author.

As the story opens, Greg has been working out all summer to impress a girl named Jennifer.

When he gets back to school he finds the girl he has devoted his entire summer to, sacrificed every dessert for, has moved ten miles away.

When Megan get's back from school she's in for a little surprise too. There's a new girl from California. She's extremely flashy wich makes Megan's best friend Sue Anne really want to meet her.

But Megan isn't as inclined to do that. Both Megan and Greg start their school year on a bad foot, fueling their bickering and fighting.

Every day coming home from school Megan goes to her "job" at a doughnut place. She gets paid in doughnuts.

One day coming home from her job Megan hears a voice telling her to pass her one. The voice is that of an elderly woman in a retirement home. The woman,- Emily becomes Megan's best friend. Every day Megan would bring Emily her favorite doughnut of all: French Crullers.

Meanwhile, Greg is determined to meet Jennifer one last time. You might say his quest was in vain and you might not. He is beginning to really like a friend of Jennifer's. Both Megan and Greg love hockey. Then one day on the rink Megan confronts the California girl. You'll never guess the end their conflict.

I think this book is one of my favorite books for it's ability to put you on the edge of your seat and for how real and sincere the story is.

I think was the best book because it was hilarious, sad, and exciting. I thought the way that Greg and Megin are always fighting and feeling very much malice against each other was in a way, extremely funny. The way they make their own point of view can be confusing in the begining but you will get used to it. I personally like Megin a little more since she's about my age. But Greg's point of view is also very exciting. I recommend this book to all people who are young adults.

This is my favorite book ever!!

Jerry Spinelli is one of my favorite authors, and this book hooked me on to him. Some parts of this book made me laugh, others made me cry. I have read this book at least 15 times and I'm still reading. In my list of top ten authors Jerry Spinelli is #1.

Another excellent book by Jerry Spinelli, this book is funny, heartbreaking, and surprising. The main idea is about a sibling rivalry between Megin and her older brother, Greg. that's the humor, but there are also side stories about Greg ands love for some girl named Jennifer Wade, until she moves to Conestoga. Then Sara Bellamy, who he considers is "not his type" starts to enter the story. Megin has no side story, other then cleaning her roach- infested room and befriending a Halley's Comet-worshipping girl named Zoe.
The author's style hasn't changed (which I hope it never will). It is kid- friendly and humorous, and you will hope it will never end (it does end in a strange sort of way- it should have been longer). I would recommend it to a middle- or junior high- schooler who reads for fun.

I would recommend this book to someone who enjoys seeing two very different people talk about the same subject. You can really focus on this book and connect with the characters. Every couple of chapters, there was a surprise that grabbed your attention even more. There are a lot of funny scenes and weird but believable events. A few of the chapters end with a cliffhanger. For example, on of the chapters where Megin is the narrator, it ends with `It was a long time before I looked up and finally, finally saw the girl from California." I really enjoyed reading this book and would read other books by Jerry Spinelli because I like his style of writing.

I first read this book as I was getting ready to enter High School (mandatory). I instantly fell in love with it and its characters.
I read it throughout H.S. and felt especially touched by its message during the holidays.
This Christmas (2002), as a wonderful surprise, my wife got the book-on-tape for our long drive out of state. She never read it before, but she loved it. Even though she is now 29 yrs old.
Highly Recommended!

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I absolutely love this book! I first read it when I was 9 and I am still reading over and over at 14. I can compare myself to Megan and Greg in so many ways. Who Put That Hair in My Toothbrush? teaches numerous life lessons about making friends, learning to love siblings, etc., etc., etc. This book brought out so many emotions in me, from laughter to sadness and is at the top of my list, for all ages!