The Top 10 Ways to Ruin the First Day of 5th Grade

Rating:
Summary: A Teacher's Views - The Real Deal
Review:
This is a funny, prank filled novel about a boy and his life's mission - to be on the Late Show with David Letterman. To fifth-grader Anthony Madison, aka Tony Baloney, the Late Show is the best television show in the world. Tony loves the jokes, the silly routines, and, best of all, the top-ten lists that are pulled off night after night on the television show. And based on his own repertoire of stupid pet tricks (he's been practicing with his dog, Meatball) and his tried-and-true top-ten lists (e.g., "Top-Ten Ways to Ruin the First Day of Fifth Grade, #1 Get your foot stuck in a toilet in the boys' rest room and then have to be rescued by the 911 guys"), he knows he's headed for fame and fortune. There's only one problem: Tony lives in Kansas City. How will he, a fifth-grade boy halfway across the country, ever get himself invited onto the Late Show? With his own breed of sidesplitting top-ten lists and stunts that involve everything from wearing a bear suit to photocopying his rear end, Tony manages to get the Late Show's attention at the expense of his family, teacher, principal, school, the NFL, MTV, the Hells Angels, and ultimately New York City. Kids will find this story to be a winner!


Rating:
Summary: The Amazing Tony Baloney
Review: A rollicking, delightful, and suspenseful treat! This story of Tony's mission in pre-teen life captures the wacky, not-always-sensible-but-always-hilarious escapades of 5th graders. I wondered how the author could sustain the adventurous pace and was impressed that every chapter began with an attention-getting idea, progressed with hilarious detours and mishaps, and ended with yet another unique and amusing top 10 list. The story builds naturally to Tony's dream encounter with Letterman - but there's even more to come once he thinks he's "arrived"! Although I am an adult and teacher of older students, I was thoroughly engrossed and entertained. This book is a welcome comical relief and tribute to the humorous foibles of everyday life.

Rating:
Summary: A True Letterman Fan
Review: As one who has always enjoyed David Letterman's Show and his unique humor, I found this book to be funny in the same way.

Tony's top 10 lists which he sends to Letterman are great and in true Letterman fashion.

This would be a great book for Dave to own and give to his own son Harry when he reaches grade school!





Rating:
Summary: A Top 10 Book for Kids and Teachers
Review: Being a Letterman fan AND a 5th grade teacher, I had high hopes for this book, and it didn't let me down. The Top 10 lists are very clever and funny, appealing to both the true Letterman fan, as well as to kids reading the tale of Tony Baloney and his lifelong dream to make an appearance on The Late Show. From a teacher's point of view, a Tony Baloney-type kid seems to be in my class each and every year. He's the kind of student who is bright, witty, and at the same time, a barrel of frustration. Tony's the kid who drives teachers mad day in and day out, yet as a classroom teacher, your class would lack the life and spunk without him.

Tony Baloney's quest for his "Holy Grail" takes him and a couple of his daring friends on a cross country journey from Kansas City to NYC. Along the way they endure, yet relish in, Tony's love of life and take the reader on a trip through the eyes and actions of a 21st century kid.

This book is a must read for anyone who is chasing a dream and for teachers looking for a book to remind them of why we teach. For it's witnessing the dreams and actions of children like Tony come to fruition that make being a teacher so rewarding!