The Worst Case Scenario Survival Handbook (Junior Edition) [Paperback]

David Borgenicht (Author), Robin Epstein (Author), Chuck Gonzales (Illustrator)

Book Description

Grade Level: 4 and up | Series: Worst Case Scenario

Braces. Bullies. Chores. Childhood is chock-full of perilsbut finally here's something to come to the rescue. The newest title in the phenomenally successful Worst-Case Scenario series provides kid-friendly, hands-on, step-by-step instructions for outwitting a nosy sibling, surviving a school dance, cleaning your room in a snap, dealing with an irritated parent (recognizing the tell-tale signs!), and more.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Despite the book's nudge-wink tone, it's packed with extremely practical advice for surviving the awkward years (oh, how I could've benefited from learning to fix a busted zipper with a safety pin )" Babble.com's Droolicious Blog

About the Author

David Borgenicht has survived dozens of childhood nightmares, including the one where you wake up naked in the middle of a test you haven't studied for. He now lives a stable adult life in Philadelphia.

Robin Epstein broke her arm giving her older sister a piggyback ride. Then, she broke her other arm in a three-legged race. Breaks number three (playing badminton) and four (tripping over her own feet) soon followed. She now lives a cast-free life in New York.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books; Junior ed edition (August 31, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811860655
• ISBN-13: 978-0811860659
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 6.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #681,666 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #81 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Sports & Activities > Humor > General

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book for Boys, October 19, 2008

By 

Karla Ebert - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Worst Case Scenario Survival Handbook (Junior Edition) (Paperback)

My 10-year old son LOVES this book. He's a bit of a reluctant reader, but picked this one up as soon as it was delivered and never stopped reading. Can't wait until there's a "version 2."

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Humor and empathy for kids, April 8, 2008

By 

Camille "at the BookMoot!" (Texas) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Worst Case Scenario Survival Handbook (Junior Edition) (Paperback)

The Junior Edition focuses its advice for youngsters on the survival skills needed at home, school, socially and outdoors. Looking through the book as an adult, you feel the empathy Borgenicht and Epstein have for kids making their way through the minefield that is childhood.

There are the practical suggestions that are parent pleasing, "How to Make your Room Shipshape" and "How to Survive Outdoor Chores." Other chapters satisfy the gross-out factor, "How to Survive Poo on your Shoe" and "How to Survive Farting in Public." Other sections offer support with situations that truly concern kids, such as bullies, having to eat lunch alone, and being the new kid.

Tips for surviving parent anger are dished out with humor,

"Telltale Signs you've got an annoyed adult on your hands
Steam is pouring out of his nose or ears.
Her arms are crossed and her foot is tapping but there's no
music playing in the background...
She keeps pounding the kitchen table with her shoe..."


The book design by Lynne Yeamans is easy on young eyes with reader friendly typeface and lots of white space. Chuck Gonzales's illustrations are comical yet accurate. This is a book that kids will pick up and read. They will recognize the situations outlined in the book which are presented with humor and sympathy.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Book Review: Worst-Case Scenario Junior Edition, April 26, 2008

By 

T. Jonker - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Worst Case Scenario Survival Handbook (Junior Edition) (Paperback)

Youth and embarrassing moments often hold hands. It's easy to forget how things that would drive us to shut in-ism as adults were regular occurrences in our younger days. Braces, acne, and general awkwardness all conspired to make life a walk down misery lane. "Worst-Case Scenario: Junior Edition" tackles these problems in its mission to tack up a "No PDA" sign aimed directly at that cozy couple: embarrassment and being a kid.

"Junior Edition" follows the familiar "Worst-Case" format. Step-by-step instructions for solving problems are presented in categories. These groupings apply to various areas of life - including home, school, and outdoors. The topics are ones that youngsters are faced with every day: handling bullies, making friends, and speaking in front of the class. Just like other editions in this series, many of the suggestions are tongue in cheek. I'm not sure putting a sign over your split pants that reads "If you can read this, you're standing too close" would really be all that helpful, but that's kind of the point. Some helpful advice thrown in with some ridiculousness ensures that kids will keep reading. Illustrations lend clarity and humor to the mix.

Would my years as a young buck have been smoother had I a copy of "Worst Case Scenario: Junior Edition" on my shelf? Most likely wouldn't have made much of a difference (I can show you my retainer if you like). Not a must-have, but a fun take on the problems that come with being a kid.