The Library Card is four short stories about kids who never thought they would ever be interested in reading until a "magical and mysterious" library card comes and takes these kids to the library and turns these lazy punks into inquiring minds. This is one of the best books I've ever read. I would recommend this book to anybody!

Have you ever wanted to run away from home? Well, Tooter does - she hates the smell on the farm and will do anything to get away! Tooter won't talk to anybody because she doesn't want to live on Aunt Sally's farm. Aunt Sally likes the silent treatment, but it drives dad crrrraaaaazzzzy! Tooter thinks she's going to croak because there isn't any McDonald's.

I liked this book because it contained funny stories. For example, Tooter handcuffs herself to the sink in protest over a move to a farm. She also walks around the farm with perfume to block out nasty smells. The end is heartwarming. I would recommend this book to people who like funny stories.

Have you ever ran to class in your underwear? Well in my book Eddie Mott did. The Social Studies teacher was 15 minutes late for class. So all the kids went to gym. They were getting dressed when the Social Studies teacher came in. He told all the kids to go to class, because it wasn't over yet. Eddie wanting to be the first person in class ran out of the locker room without putting his pants, and forgetting his books. Then Eddie and all his friends had to go to the principles office. Then he principle asked Eddie why he ran to class in his undrwear. My favorite part of the book was when Eddie ran out of the locker room in his underwear. I encourage you to read this book.If you are in 6th grade you will enjoy this, because Eddie was in 6th grade. The lesson of this book was not to make fun of your friends. At first I did not want to read the book, but when I got to the 2nd chapter it was interesting. Eddie had no weaknesses in the book Who Ran my Underwear up the Flagpole. Some personal traits of Eddie are that he is a good worker, nice, and funny. If you want to find out what happens you should read this book.

I first read this book in my "tweens" years, and now well into my teenage years it still makes me roll on the floor with laughter. Definitely a good one for the parent who's still trying to make their kid read a book.

I was in the fourth grade when my teacher read this book to me and I loved it so much. I remember trying to find it later on and never could since its out of print. Im 16 now and I still remember how much this book meant to me:)

Have you ever wanted big muscles because you are scrawny? In the book Picklemania by Jerry Spinelli, Eddie will do anything to be bigger and have muscles. First, Pickles finds a drink mix in the mall, that will give you muscles. It's called Moocho Malt and you put some of it in water. The container says it is just like a chocolate shake. Then later in school Eddie goes in the bathroom so he can try this drink. But two of the nickelheads are right there. One of the nickelheads is hanging up-side down from the stall. The other nickelhead investigates the drink and then makes Eddie drink it. That nickelhead makes Eddie drink about the rest of the container after the first drink. I don't think you are supposed to drink the whole big container right away, but Eddie is forced to. Since he drank the whole thing, is this drink going to make Eddie sick and make his hopes disappear, or is it going to give Eddie what he has wanted forever? Truly this book is hilarious, you will feel like Eddie when he is sick.

I rediscovered this book in my basement and the moment I put my hands on it I had to sit down and read it. School Daze is such an incredibly funny and touching 4 book series by Jerry Spinelli. It's about these 4 sixth-graders and their adventures. There's grouchy Sunny, a cheerleader who beats up those who won't cheer; Eddie, an almost neurotic boy with a sensitive heart and a scrawny build who constantly encounters trouble with the eighth-grade Nickleheads; Salem, the aspiring writer and over-reacter whose intellect is similar to an adult but her emotions are very appropriate for her age; and my favorite, Pickles, a.k.a. Dennis Johnson, who is so cool he's almost larger than life. Jerry Spinelli writes these books so well that he makes these 4 different characters seem very natural together. This specific book, Picklemania, has several plots going on at the same time. Eddie tries to bulk up to 90 pounds, Salem tries to find her secret admirer (all in her head), Pickles prays for snow, the bus driver yells a lot, and Sunny wreaks havoc with her martial arts wannabe attitude. I wish Jerry Spinelli had written more than 4 books in this 1991-1993 series because I enjoyed them so much. Regarding anyone who is a fan of Gordon Korman, these are must-reads. Anyone who wants to forget their own problems for a while must read this. And any parent who wants their kid to read must hunt down a copy of this book, or the other 3 in the School Daze series: "Report To The Principle's Office", "Who Ran My Underware Up The Flagpole?" and "Do The Funky Pickle".

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 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!

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.

The main characters are Mike, Crash, Penn, and Scooter, but Crash is the most important character in the story. He is a very good football player. He thinks he is cool and is popular. He met Penn in first grade. Penn is from North Dakota. He is very dorky. Crash is mean to Penn and when Mike moves in during sixth grade, he joins Crash and they pick on Penn together. They took his buttons away and they put mustard in his shoes. Then Scooter moves in when Crash is in 7th grade. Scooter is his grandfather. Crash is very excited because he is staying for good and they spend a lot of time together. Something happens to Scooter and he ends up in the hospital. This is when Crash begins to change. You will never guess who become friends!

I like how Jerry Spinelli wrote because he wrote how we talk. I liked to read the book almost every day. You should read the book because it is interesting and funny!

Crash is a not very nice 7th grader who knows he is the best athlete in school and let's everyone know it. He loves being on the football team and scoring the most touchdowns. He can't stand his neighbor, Penn, who is a Quaker and vegetarian and always perky. He won't even shoot back with a water gun. Crash and his best friend, Mike, play many pranks on Penn but he is still cheerful. One day, Crash's beloved grandfather has a stroke and Crash's life starts to turn around. He becomes nice to his little sister and stops playing jokes on Penn. Finally, he makes the biggest choice of his life when he lets Webb win a big relay race to impress Webb's great-grandfather. It's a good-strange feeling for Crash. Now they are best friends! I think this is a great book for everyone, even if you don't like football.

There is a kid name Crash Coogan. He tells us about his life with a kid name Penn Webb whom he did not like. Penn Webb moves to Pennsylvania from North Dakota in first grade. When Crash first saw this kid he thought he was a dork because he was a vegetarian and a Quaker who buys his clothes from Second Time Around. Penn Webb is a cheerleader and a nice person to everyone. Crash is mean and picks on Penn. Mike moves in during sixth grade. Crash and Mike end up being friends and together they torment Penn. Then later on in seventh grade, Scooter moves in with Crash's family. Unfortunately something happens and Scooter ends up in the hospital. Crash is sad because his grandfather is not there and he misses spending time with him. This is the point that Crashes starts to change. You should read the book to see how Crash acts and who he ends up being friends. Also, you can see how his life goes on with his family.

When I read this book with my classmates and teacher it was pretty boring in the beginning of the book, but as I read it got funnier. I liked the way Jerry Spinelli expressed the characters feelings. I also liked that Crash was a football player who was popular and cool kid. Penn Webb was funny especially when he had a button that said "flickertail" on the front of his shirt. All I really want to say is that I was excited to read the book everyday, so you should definitely read it.

Originally I borrowed this from the library. Halfway through it I bought my own copy, and one for my niece.

This is a story about a girl called Stargirl. She has been home tutored for most of her life and has no idea of conformity. She is herself, through and through. She wears pioneer type dresses, no make up, meditates, knows peoples birthdays, makes people feel good about themselves.

At the start the majority of the school applauds her individuality and even flatters her when they copy her odd ways. But slowly they see her individuality as a hindrance and begin to turn on her. Leo, the 16 year old narrator of the book finds himself as her boyfriend, and as such is completely alienated from the rest of the school. It dawns on him that he has to choose, Stargirl or his friends and respect.

This is probably one of the best books I have read for an awful long time, and I read a lot of books! I am keeping my copy on my bookshelf for my children to read, to teach them to applaud individuality, not discourage.

Leo lives in a small town like any other, where being different is viewed as a bad thing. He goes to a school that's famous for not winning anything and has it's share of not so nice people, and those who copy them. But one day one girl comes to school that changes everything. Her name is Stargirl and she's far from normal. She sings Happy Birthday to anyone who happens to have a birthday at lunch, she cheers for the other team at basketball games, she dresses in odd outfits and changes the words to the pledge of alligence. Soon everyone in school loves her. She becomes one of the more popular girl in school. But soon her strange ways get her in trouble and the school turns on her. Leo is one of the few who remain on her side. He knows the only way to put her back in favor with the people in school is to do the one thing that could destory her. Make her normal.

I really enjoyed this book. It spoke out bravely for being different and making a difference no matter wbat. SInce I've read this book I've had the habit of throwing down change on the side of the street and checking the newpaper for "fillers" like Stargirl. If you love stories about being different read this book. I reccomend it highly!

We should all be so lucky as to have our own Stargirl enter our lives, to recognize her when she speaks to us, and wise enough to listen to her message! What I was really intrigued and touched by was the feeling I got that Leo was, in some way, a part of Jerry Spinelli as a young person, and that there was really was a "Stargirl" in his life when he was Leo's age. I first discovered Mr. Spinelli several years ago when I read Maniac Magee. Wringer and The Library Card absolutely confirmed my status as a devoted fan of his work. Although his books are shelved in the young adult or children's section of bookstores, I believe that his books defy sole classification. Any adult or young person who is interested in quality fiction will find much to love about Jerry Spinelli's books. Stargirl is a delightful celebration of nonconformity, a book guaranteed to make the reader smile and think about how we are all connected to one another, and think about how each of us makes an impact on the people whose lives we touch. An excellent book - don't miss it, it could be a contender for next year's Newbery.

"Loser" is agreat book that shouldn't be missed by kids of all ages. It's about a kid named Donald Zinkoff, who loves life and school, but can't get anything right. He has atrocious handwriting, he's not to smart, and he's one of the nerdiest kids you'll ever come to meet. The book takes from his early years, to middle school. It's a nice, easy read for everyone who can, and will make you giggle many times. It's one of the most fun times I've had with a book.

Do you have problems of people not picking you at a baseball game? Well Donald does. He doesn't have any friends and no one likes him, but he doesn't care. Nothing bothers him. People call him Zinkoff, because it's his last name. He's funny, nice, and brave. The book is about him doing different things like finding a best friend, trying to save a little girl, and spending time with his father. My favorite part in the book is when Zinkoff tries to save a girl named Claudia. This shows how loyal and brave he was. So if this book sounds good to you buy it or get it out of a library and read it!

Did you ever hear of any one named Zinkoff? Well you will after reading loser by Jerry Spinelli. This book is about a kid named Donald Zinkoff. Zinkoff experiences a lot of things from Saterfield Elementary School to sixth grade at Monroe Middle school. He goes through field day. On field day know body wants Zinkoff on their team. Claudia a girl down the street named Claudia goes missing and Zinkoff goes looking for her in the snow for seven hours. That is just a couple of the things does in this book. I like this book because you travel with Zinkoff from first grade to sixth grade. If you are looking for a good book to read check out Loser by Jerry Spinelli.

I read this book before, during, and after seventh grade. Each time it made a little more sence. This is the best book in the world for teens going into or in 7th grade. The begining is a little boring and there are certain parts that bore you out of your mind, but just keep reading no matter what. I garentee you will love this book. I'm a former 7th grader and I will keep it with all my other favorite books. If you love this book, then you read Jason and Marclien. Enjoy it!

I read this book 12 years ago (I'm 24 now), and I remember it to be one of the funniest, most original books I have ever read(and I HAVE read quite a few. I am now a grad student at Harvard!)I recently re-read this book, and still found it to be incredibly amusing, and it certainly reminded me of how life was back in the day. I recommend it to people of all ages, even adults. This book is just genius!

I had never heard of Jerry Spinelli until I read this book. I howled with laughter and lent it to a 6th grade boy who also howled with laughter. I think Mr. Spinelli truly captured the whole 7th grade boy thing, because he had three teen age sons at home and was always EVESDROPPING ON THEM!!! This is one of my all time favorites. And I also recommend The Journal of Leroy Jeremiah Jones, a Fugitive Slave and The Diary of a Slave Girl, Ruby Jo.

One boy and his friend are in the fourth grade now.The oniy thing is that one kid doesn't want to be a fourth grade rat.Well his friend helps him out and he starts to like fourth grade.When the kid really enjoys fourth grade his friend doesn't like fourth grade.Will they ever be their own self again? I liked the book. It's funny and it keeps you wondering what's going to happen next. Unless you read the whole book straight

This is a comedy book.
The setting of the story takes place at the characters house and in the swings at the school playground. That's where the story starts. The main characters names are Suds and Joey. Suds likes taking a bath when he has a problem. Joey likes to act cool! Like a rat. He wants to get Suds to do the same things as him. The other little character is Judy Billings. She is a big show off and will go for any tough guy. (Suds likes her.)

The story begins at the school playground where first graders teased fourth graders by saying they were rats. Every body felt bad to be a rat, except joey, he was proud to be one. He said it was the first step to become a man. That's when the problem starts. Joey wanted suds to be a rat too. Joey was telling him to say no to his mother, eat baloney, push little kids around, and not to be scared to what suds is scared of most, spiders. (suds doesn't like the sound of that.)

The resolution to the problem happened when Joey's mother went to Suds house and told him that Joey shouldn't have pushed him into the rat stuff, and that he was dropping out of the rat race and joining the human race again. finally the story ends when Suds tells his mother a conffession: that the last few days that he was a rat it was all him, without Joey telling him to do so. Or making him do it. At first Joey was the one pushing him to do the things. After it was just him doing them.

I recommend this book because I like comedy books. Dialogues between characters are funny.
I enjoyed this book very much. This book will show you not to follow what you think doesn't sound to good and to be a leader, not a follower just because you think the person who you are following is cool!

This book is one of the best! Only now be a follower and get the book and read it!

Alex

This is a great book! I am in 3rd grade so I am an angel. This one boy was sad because he was a rat and he wanted to be an angel again! But his friend liked to be a rat and started to be messy! He talked his friend to be messy,mean,and brave. Let me remind you that it is a great book and I hope you like it too!

I was a bit hesitant when I started reading Wringer, by Jerry Spinelli. A book about killing pigeons in mass numbers wasn't exactly my idea of an enjoyable book...but I'm glad I decided otherwise.
I was introduced to an eight-year-old Palmer LaRue, a boy without any true friends. Palmer has a growing secret inside him he doesn't even consider telling anyone. Palmer is afraid of being a wringer when he turns ten. This occurs at the annual Family Fest. Pigeons are released and shot at; the wounded ones are what the 10-year-old wringers are for.
On his ninth birthday he's accepted into a group of boys (Beans, Mutto, and Henry, AKA the Beans Boys). Beans is the leader of the group and is quite a mean boy who enjoys tormenting people, especially Palmer's neighbor, Dorothy Gruzik. Beans calls Dorothy 'Fishface', and soon Beans' strong influence on Palmer causes him to call her 'Fishsface' as well. One night a pigeon tapping on Palmer's window causes him to wake up. Palmer doesn't realize it, but this little pigeon (whom Palmer names Nipper) is going to change his life forever. Palmer gets closer and closer to turning ten. As becoming a wringer at the Family Fest creeps up on him, Nipper's life is in danger, Palmer discovers who his friends really are, and he befriends someone he never imagined would impact his life.
I rated this book four stars because I absolutely loved it and highly recommend it. Palmer's strong belief in what he thought was right, even under peer pressure, was truly inspirational. The only thing that prevented me from rating the book five stars was the choice of ages for the characters. If they had been possibly several years older, their thoughts and actions would seem much more realistic, but other than that, this is a book you should look into.

Wringer is a great book for the upper elementary student. It is about a boy named Palmer who faces many real challenges is his life. He is dreading the day of his tenth birthday because that is the day he will become a wringer. In the town that he lives in they have an annual pigoen shooting day. Boys ten and up must run out onto the field and wring the necks of the wounded pigeons. Palmer thinks this is terrible and he doesn't think that he can be a part of this tradition. During the time before his birthday he gets invovled with a gang. This gang pressures him into things he doesn't want to do. It is an excellent story of peer pressure. Then one day a pigeon comes to his window and ends up being his house pet. This has to be kept secret from his friends or they might kill the pigeon. He confides in his neighbor Dorothy, who helps him keep his secret. Palmer's birthday is fast approaching and he must make a decision. A decision to follow the crowd or do what he feels is right in his heart. A great story of a boy's inner struggles to do the right thing.

Robby Gwisdala
Wringer
By: Jerry Spinelli

Rating:****

Birthdays can be good and can be bad, that is what ten year old George Palmer found out. Palmer lives were locals like to shoot and wring pigeons. People say that when you become ten years old you are suppose to become a wringer which is the kid who wrings the neck on the bird if its not dead from the shot. You are suppose to do this at the annual local family fest which is held every year. Young palmer had it in his head that he was going to be a wringer after his treatment as they call it which every young boy gets on there tenth birthday. He changed his mind though when he met a pigeon that he named Nipper. This bird would fly to his window every day after school and would sleep in his room all night long till at five in the morning when he would nip at palmers ear to wake him up. His best friends Henry, Beans, Mutto which hate pigeons and hate Dorothy that lives across the street. So through the story palmer has to hide from his friends and his pigeon until he gets home were he is safe in his room with Nipper and Dorothy. After a while everything starts heading down hill when his friends find out he likes Dorothy and pigeons and has been avoiding his friends. I really enjoyed this book and would suggest it to anyone who likes serious books and likes books with pets.