Genre: Fiction
Reading Level/Interest Level: Grades 4-7
Awards: Mark Twain Award, California Young Reader Medal, Sequoyah Award
Similar Titles: Freckle Juice by Jude Blume, The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies, No Talking by Andrew Clements
Never
have you read a book more disgusting, more revolting, more funny or more
entertaining as How to Eat Fried Worms. I have read others say that this 1973
publication should be a children’s classic and I agree.
Long before, Hakuna Matata, and Disney drawing worm slurping lions, in
a typical tween scenario involving peer pressure gone horribly wrong, light
hearted ribbing between boys and picky eating turns to heated words resulting
in the seemingly insurmountable bet being placed that Billy cannot eat 15 worms
in 15 days. The rules are simple: cook them, eat them raw, chop them up, or use
as many condiments as you can carry, but you must eat 15 whole worms in 15 days
or you lose, no matter what. It’s more than $50 at stake but Billy’s reputation and persisting
in the face of fear, injustice and revulsion that keeps him going, even if his
opponents try to cheat, using every tool and method in their arsenal to force him to lose. He’ll show Alan and Joe, if it’s that last
thing he does!
With
an unexpected ally making an appearance at the zero hour, Billy fights his way
through, day by agonizing day as the reader squirms in anticipation and the
flip-flops in their belly in this entertaining, gross and not to be missed
story. Going beyond the gross out factor for reluctant readers, How to Eat Fried Worms, really reaches
kids as they experience peer pressure and the unbelievable things it can make
you do on a daily basis. Not only will they get a laugh out of Billy’s
experiences, but they may cry, scream and fight alongside him and may think
twice before the next bet they take on to prove they are the toughest, or the
best, kid on the block.
Don't forget to look out for your own recipe-a-la-worm in the newer versions too!
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