Spider Storch's Fumbled Field Trip - Hardcover

Willner-Pardo is an Albert Whitman author.

Grade 2-3-Third grader Joey (a.k.a. "Spider") Storch tends to act without thinking and has to deal with the often humorous consequences. In Field Trip, he resolves to behave on a class visit to an aquarium. He enjoys animals and, besides, he doesn't want to be sent back to the bus where the driver is rumored to keep dead squirrels under the seat. However, at the hands-on exhibit, Spider tries to prevent a girl from dropping a sea cucumber and falls into the tide pool himself. Exiled to the bus, he finds that the driver is actually a friendly guy. Stuck playing the flute (flutes are "what girls played") in Music, Spider campaigns to get thrown out of class. He tries coming in late, using his instrument like a machine gun and a baseball bat, and even taking off his smelly sneakers in the middle of practice. He finally succeeds in getting bounced, but finds that he misses the music. When plans emerge for the spring concert, Spider has to convince the teacher that he is responsible enough to take part. The action in both books is funny and fast moving and the spirited first-person narration is right on target. Transitional readers seeking chapter books will enjoy getting to know Spider.
Elaine E. Knight, Lincoln Elementary Schools, IL
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