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.

July 1, 2011

Gr 4-6-Clayton Hensley wants to be exactly like his older brother, who just got out of jail for wielding his own brand of trouble. When he uses his free art period to draw the principal as a donkey, he makes sure he's the talk of the school, showing off on the way to the office. But, when Clay reveals the drawing to Mitch, he's in for a surprise. Not only is his brother not proud, but he's also disappointed. Mitch wants Clay to turn his life around. The problem is, Clay isn't sure he can do it, or if he even wants to. Being good isn't any fun at all. Or is it? Clements forms interesting parallels between choice, habit, and repute, asking the questions: Can people change their reputations? And, is having fun at the expense of someone else really fun? Occasional pencil drawings of Clay's antics highlight the best parts of the story. Clay will encourage kids who want to forge a new path, placing their own brand on doing the right thing. An inspiring and comical read.-Terry Ann Lawler, Phoenix Public Library, AZ

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2011

Clay learns that it's easy to get into trouble but far more difficult to get out of it in this breezy Scared Straight-type novel for the elementary-school set.

Clay has finesse. He can create mischief with such cheerful aplomb that he can charm even the principal's assistant, who has been documenting Clay's misdeeds since kindergarten. A clever boy and a talented artist, Clay is bursting with enthusiasm for his pranks. Clay loves and emulates his older brother, Mitch, who was the pre-eminent troublemaker before him. However, Mitch, unlike Clay, has taken his misdeeds to a level of aggression that fun-loving Clay does not. The day Mitch is to come home from prison, Clay undertakes a master antic to impress him and is devastated when Mitch slaps him and demands that he shape up or else end up like himself. Thus begins a makeover, as Mitch gets Clay a new wardrobe and stipulates new rules by which to live. Clay is certain that he looks like Mr. Potato Head with his new haircut, but he's dedicated to pleasing his brother. School provides terrific opportunities for mischief that Clay finds hard to resist, especially the launchable lunch food. But the hardest part of this new life is the rift growing between him and his best buddy, co-trickster Hank. Clements here enters into provocative territory and pulls it off like the pro he is. Kids will easily relate to Clay, and the secondary characters come alive as well.

(COPYRIGHT (2011) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

June 1, 2011
Grades 5-8 Sixth-grader Clay Hensley is no stranger to the principal's office, and he is sure that his latest prankdrawing a picture of the principal as a donkeywill land him there again, hopefully impressing his older brother, Mitchell, who has just returned from a brief jail stint. Tough-guy Mitch, though, is newly committed to staying trouble-free, and he wants Clay to be, too. Clay begins to reconsider his past actions and their impact and who he wants to be, even as both brothers discover that staying on track and changing others' perceptions isn't easy. Then Clay is wrongly accused of vandalism, and proving his innocence requires courage and determination, which lead to unexpected revelations and insights. Clements offers a characteristically engaging story with realistic dilemmas and topic kids will respond to. The perspectives of diverse, memorable characters, including Principal Kelling and school secretary Mrs. Ormin, add depth to Clay's story and further convey the challenges and rewards of moving beyond assumptions, offering and receiving support, and believing in oneself and others.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)