Brian Silbert
Description
Fifth-grader Berticus' rough school days make for a rollicking and often endearing story. Berticus navigates the chaos of school life, facing homework
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, tests, bullies, first crushes, and the pressure from Farley Finnigan, a girl who enjoys one-upping him and getting him in trouble. His journey is filled with humorous misadventures, from playing maître d¿ in the lunchroom to forming a secret club and attempting to become a martial arts superhero to an impromptu sing-a-long following a bathroom mishap. Despite his birthday falling on the first day of school, which only adds to his dread, Berticus dives into fifth grade with his best friend, Robert ¿Thatch¿ Daniels, by his side. Their ambitious plans often go awry, whether it¿s dreaming of growing beards or attracting club members with no real purpose. While Berticus struggles to pay attention in class¿often daydreaming about video games instead of math¿he also finds himself dealing with a first crush. Brian Silbert¿s debut middle-grade novel captures the charm and resilience of Berticus, whose whimsical narration makes even the most zany ideas seem reasonable. Alongside colorful supporting characters like the troublesome Farley Finnigan, his puppy-like best friend, Thatch, the memorable Joey ¿Wrong Way¿ Rooney, and Crazy Bobby Bigglia, a bully who¿s rumored to have served time in a maximum-security prison. Berticus learns to face the unexpected challenges of school life. Young readers will undoubtedly want to join Berticus and Thatch on their next adventure¿perhaps in sixth grade!
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