Troublemaker

May 23, 2011
Clements (Extra Credit) delivers another rock-solid school story that will resonate with middle graders. Like his older brother, Mitch, sixth-grader Clay is habitually in trouble, and he can't wait to tell Mitch about his latest coupâa realistic portrait of Principal Kelling as a donkey. But his 19-year-old brother, who's just finished a 30-day jail sentence after losing his temper in court, is not amused, and he orders Clay to straighten out ("You're gonna do all the stuff that I never didâand do things right, the smart way"). Clay promises to do so, but learns that his well-established reputation is hard to shake, backsliding is easy, and taking his life in a new direction might mean leaving old friends behindâor being pranked himself. Though the story is largely Clay's, Clements offers the perspectives of other characters, demonstrating how Clay's tussles with his conscience have an impact on the environment around him. Clements's empathy for Clay is clearâhe's not a bad kid, just someone whose mischievous tendencies have always been encouraged. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 8â12.

With each school-based book, author Andrew Clements delves into both the psyches of students and unvisited arenas of school life. This story travels the halls between the art room and the principal's office as sixth-grader Clay--who emulates his tough-guy older brother, Mitch--faces vandalism charges and the difficult notion of change. Narrator Keith Nobbs transitions easily among the roles of Clay, brother Mitch, principal Kellin, and secretary Ormin. Nobbs's nonchalant manner moves the narrative parts of the story along. His voice expresses surprise and anxiety as Clay realizes that Mitch is steering him in a whole new direction, remoteness as Mitch describes his prison experience, and rich-voiced friendliness as Kellin, the principal, gives a kid another chance. A.R. (c) AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine

January 1, 2012

Gr 4-6-Clay Hensley goofs off and plays tricks on other students, making it difficult for teachers to appreciate him. While he's not a bully, he's definitely trouble. As he looks forward to seeing Mitch, his much-admired big brother who has just been released from jail, Clay piles on the antics in order to impress him. But Mitch has changed during his time in prison, and he tells Clay to go straight-no goofing off, no teasing, respect teachers and authority, and clean up his act both physically and metaphorically. Clay sets out to follow his brother's advice, but his partners in crime don't understand their pal's drastic changes and the adults around him are skeptical. When someone plays a malicious Halloween prank on the school principal, Clay's reputation makes him the first suspect. Changing other people's perceptions of him is a challenge for the well-intentioned boy. Andrew Clements's novel (S & S/Atheneum, 2011) accurately presents these issues. Keith Nobbs's narration is excellent. He uses the perfect pitch and rhythm to voice Clay as well as the more mature Mitch. Recommend this audiobook to kids who have been the focus of teasing or are pranksters.-B. Allison Gray, Goleta Branch Library, Santa Barbara, CA

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