Who Put That Hair in My Toothbrush? (Paperback)

by Jerry Spinelli (Author) "THE SADDEST SHOWER of all is the one you take the night before school starts in September..." (more)
Key Phrases: Sue Ann, Jennifer Wade, Sara Bellamy (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Feuding siblings take turns narrating this snappy account of the woes and joys of junior high. Ages 10-up.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description
The sibling rivalry between twelve-year-old Megin and her older brother Greg intensifies after she ruins his science project and he retaliates by throwing her favorite hockey stick into the pond. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 225 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers (April 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316806870
• ISBN-13: 978-0316806879
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 4.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #111,252 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Cobra vs. The Mongoose, July 15, 2006

By	M. Keogh (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

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.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review, February 16, 2003

By	"chief4wiggum" (Richboro, PA USA) - See all my reviews

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.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I absolutely LOVE this book!, April 27, 2001

By	AJ (North Carolina) - See all my reviews

I first read this book in middle school (12 years ago!) and ever since, I've always loved Jerry Spinelli novels. I can't imagine anyone not finding this book laugh-out-loud funny. It is a story about two siblings, Meagan and Greg, that continually argue and bicker. The story is told from each siblings point-of-view, which lends an interesting angle to the story. Throw in a younger brother (with a smaller role), and you've got the makings for a hilarious book. As a teacher, I've recommended this book to my upper elementary children with much success.