Don't Bug Me (Hardcover)

by Pam Zollman (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
In this breezy if slight first novel, narrator Megan is having trouble completing her sixth-grade science project, which entails finding and labeling 25 species of bugs. A major impediment to her progress is her bug-loving, five-year-old brother, Alexander, who feels so bad for the insects Megan has collected that he removes them from her corkboard and gives them a proper burial outdoors. Class clown Charlie, who apparently would rather fail science than complete the assignment, makes the insect-less Megan the butt of his constant barrage of jokes (e.g., he writes, "Beggin' Megan is begging for bugs!" on a blackboard and puts realistic-looking candy bugs in her lunch bag). After much seething ("Oooh, that Charlie Bettencourt!" and "Ohhh, that Charlie Bettencourt!"), she discovers that he refuses to collect bugs because he is terrified of them, and she and Charlie strike a truce: he will stop teasing her if she keeps his secret. The characters are affable enough, but the dialogue relies on clich‚s ("I've got ants in my pants"; "That was so funny, I forgot to laugh") and the preoccupation with the bug project grows thin. Ages 7-11.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
Gr 4-6-Sixth-grader Megan spends most of this novel trying to complete her bug collection for a class assignment. She is constantly "bugged" by a classmate, Charlie, who delights in teasing her, and by her young brother, Alexander, who "rescues" her specimens as soon as her back is turned. Her friend Belinda is no help. She laughs at the insect funerals and graves created by Alexander, and insists that creep Charlie teases Megan because he likes her. The young protagonist perseveres throughout, even trying to catch bugs after hours in the school cafeteria (and getting caught). Meanwhile, she discovers something about Charlie: he's secretly terrified of insects. The three-way relationship that develops between bug-expert Alexander, bug-fearer Charlie, and bug-collector Megan makes for an interesting story. Readers will enjoy its fast pace and the quirky antics of the kids. Pair this novel with Laurence Yep's Cockroach Cooties (Hyperion, 2000) or Carol Sonenklar's Bug Boy (Holt, 1997) for a creepy-crawly booktalking combination.

Debbie Whitbeck, West Ottawa Public Schools, Holland, MI

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 134 pages
• Publisher: Holiday House; 1st edition (June 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823415848
• ISBN-13: 978-0823415847
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #915,183 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I disagree with Publisher's Weekly, December 9, 2001

By	"nothoward" (Texas, like everyone else, apparently) - See all my reviews

I'm not sure what they were thinking, but it appears to me that they forgot what the intended audience is for the book--kids! Kids use cliches, fuss and fume over teasing, and happen to like the kind of humor that's in this book. Already I have seen it at schools' book fairs, and many of the librarians in my particular school district have already picked it up. It has grown quite popular among the kids I know, especially in my household. I thought you might like to hear an opposing viewpoint to PW's review, but of course the best way to formulate an opinion is to read it yourself (there's material in there for adults, too).

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!, July 6, 2003

By A Customer

I just finished reading the book, and I have to say, it was a great book. It was filled with wonderful humor, like the incident when Megan went to the school's kitchen looking for bugs. That was classic! I can also see it making a great movie or at least a play. I also loved the insect grave yard that Megan's little brother had set up. The chemistry between characters was also very well set up and displayed. Great book! I fully recommend it!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars about don't bug me, March 11, 2004

A Kid's Review

I think that every one should read don't bug me even sixth graders. I read it in 2 days that is how much i liked it. so make sure you read Don't Bug Me!! By Pam Zollman My favorite part is here is the part....

Belinda laughed."You named it?"
"I name all my bugs," Tamika said
"So how are you going to kill it?" i asked.
"in the freezer,"she said "Ijust can't do it any other way."
Please help my friend out and buy this book. believe me you will laugh..