Review Detail

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.