My Life as a Fifth-Grade Comedian
Grade 4-7.  Class clown Bobby is headed for a fall. Pushing him toward the drop are his father, the sarcasm master, and his mother, who is afraid to speak up. He quits doing his homework, continually speaks out of turn in class, is unable to communicate with his parents, and his jokes turn into put-downs. He unintentionally hurts his best friend, and even Mr. Matous, his humor-loving teacher, draws the line. When the principal threatens to transfer Bobby to a special school, Mr. Matous offers him a chance to turn things around with a special project?the creation, development, and execution of a school-wide Laugh-Off. As the boy's ideas blossom into reality, the pressures build, exacerbating problems at home, but also allowing him to exhibit his capabilities and talents. The realistic setting explores the types of family tensions children often face. The characters react consistently, responding to one another and changing situations with believable emotions, and, ultimately, with the self-realization and growth that allows them to spring back to a life that contains love, hope, and true humor. In addition, Levy incorporates a cornucopia of jokes and a wealth of subtle advice on becoming a comic. There is great pleasure in seeing Bobby and his father's earlier sarcasm and angry dialogue transformed by a turn of attitude into universal, and really funny comedy.?Darcy Schild, Schwegler Elementary School, Lawrence, KSCopyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.