Charlie Bumpers vs. The Really Nice Gnome

51-ssaNenUL
Author(s)
Co-Authors / Illustrators
Age Range
8+
Release Date
April 01, 2014
ISBN
156145740X
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Charlie Bumpers has his heart set on playing the role of the evil Sorcerer in the fourth grade play. He's even got the laugh down pat: Mwa-ha-ha-ha! But his dreams of villainous stardom go up in smoke when he finds out that Mrs. Burke has cast him as the Nice Gnome! Determined to rectify this terrible injustice, Charlie concocts one plan after another, but nothing seems to work. To make matters worse, his dad has assigned chores to all the kids in the family and Charlie's job is walking Ginger, the diggiest, sniffiest, and poopiest dog in the universe. Can Charlie deal with these challenges without causing havoc all around him?

Charlie Bumpers has his heart set on playing the role of the evil Sorcerer in the fourth grade play. He's even got the laugh down pat: Mwa-ha-ha-ha! But his dreams of villainous stardom go up in smoke when he finds out that Mrs. Burke has cast him as the Nice Gnome! Determined to rectify this terrible injustice, Charlie concocts one plan after another, but nothing seems to work. To make matters worse, his dad has assigned chores to all the kids in the family and Charlie's job is walking Ginger, the diggiest, sniffiest, and poopiest dog in the universe. Can Charlie deal with these challenges without causing havoc all around him?

Editor reviews

2 reviews
The Play's the Thing
(Updated: June 28, 2026)
Overall rating
 
4.5
Plot
 
4.0
Characters
 
N/A
Writing Style
 
N/A
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
5.0
Charlie is back (the first book is Charlie Bumpers vs. The Teacher of the Year), and this time his class is putting on a play. He is all set to be the evil main character, but his teacher assigns him a big part-- but that of a nice gnome. He doesn't want to disrespect his teacher, but clearly, he is not pleased. He tries rewriting the part, pretending he has forgotten his lines, and finally resigns himself to the part and manages to do a good job and save the play on the day of the performance. A sub plot involves his reluctance to take his dog out for walks because they interfere with his favorite television show.

Charlie has a great family: an older brother who gives him a hard time but is ultimately helpful, a younger sister who is annoying but ultimately fun, and parents who don't put up with his nonsense. The concerns depicted are typical of elementary age students. I can remember vividly being very disappointed because in my second grade performance of The Wizard of Oz I was assigned the role of Toto and the dead witch's feet. Not a good use of my talents at all! Charlie's reactions are not mean spirited, just ill-advised, and readers will enjoy his antics.
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