Double Fudge

Double Fudge. Judy Blume. 2002. 224 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: When my brother Fudge was five, he discovered money in a big way.

Premise/plot: Double Fudge is the fifth book in the Fudge series by Judy Blume. Peter's younger brother, Fudge, is OBSESSED with money in this one. And that love of money is fueling his selfishness, his greed, and his rudeness. (Not that he was super polite and selfless BEFORE discovering the green stuff. He wasn't. I'm not a reader who finds Fudge's misbehavior cute or charming or funny.) Peter is embarrassed by his brother. (That isn't new either. Peter has always tried to distance himself from Fudge.) So why is this one Double Fudge? Well, it turns out that Farley Hatcher isn't the only Farley! Peter's dad's cousin and his family are introduced in this one. And one of their children shares Fudge's first, middle, and last name. They are looking to "steal" Fudge's nickname. Peter calls this other Farley, "Mini." They meet their cousins on a trip in Washington D.C., the cousins then invite themselves to STAY with them in New York City. This family is something else. Think the Flanders' family perhaps from the Simpsons? Peter also starts seventh grade in this one....

My thoughts: Plenty happens in this one. (There's at least one chapter focused on Halloween.) And I did like it. But I'm not sure the series as a whole is so wonderful that it's a must-read. A little Fudge goes a long way. Also this one might be more for actual children than adults who read children's books. In other words, adults might see Fudge for who he is....and think about how the book in terms of good and bad parenting. Children might just laugh off Fudge and see him as comic relief.

© 2017 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Fudge-a-mania

Fudge-a-mania. Judy Blume. 1990. 176 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: "Guess what, Pete?" my brother, Fudge, said. "I'm getting married tomorrow."

Premise/plot: Fudge-a-mania is the fourth book in the Fudge series by Judy Blume. Though the series is named after Peter's brother, Fudge, the stories are told from Peter's perspective.

It is the summer before Peter (and Sheila's) seventh grade year. The two families will be vacationing in Maine together. Peter and Sheila (to refresh your memory) do not like each other. In fact, they practically HATE each other. Peter doesn't realize that "vacationing next door" to the Tubman family means essentially sharing a duplex. One week will be brightened by Peter's best friend, Jimmy, coming to stay--with his (uninvited) Dad. Readers get to know the Hatcher and Tubman families very, very well. Even the grandparents. This summer vacation is anything but dull.

My thoughts: I really liked this one. I'm not sure I loved, loved, loved it because to be honest, Fudge is not my favorite or best. But I did enjoy aspects of this one: the romance between the grandparents that will link the two families now; also "Tootsie" is a delight and I'm glad that Mr. Fargo will benefit quite a lot from his vacation!

© 2017 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Superfudge

Superfudge. Judy Blume. 1980. 192 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Life was going along okay when my mother and father dropped the news. Bam! Just like that.

Premise/plot: Peter Hatcher has changes in his future. This book is about those changes. First, his mom is going to have a baby. And the baby is a sister they call Tootsie. Second, the family is moving--for a year--to New Jersey. His father wants to take a break from the advertising agency and write a novel. He also wants to not miss out on Tootsie's first year. So, Peter has to deal with a) an annoying little brother, Fudge, whose vocabulary is ever-growing, but his naughtiness is keeping up with it; b) moving away from all his friends; c) making new friends and starting a new school year as "the new kid;" d) Fudge and Peter will be going to the same elementary school; Peter will be in sixth grade, and Fudge will be in kindergarten; e) having a new unwelcome-to-him addition to the family. Will Tootsie be anything like Fudge?!

My thoughts: I liked this one. I definitely did. Fudge's adventures at school are something. I'm sure he's talked about by the whole school--the staff, I mean. I don't envy his first or second kindergarten teacher. But Fudge didn't just make me laugh. I found him obnoxious in a his-parents-really-need-to-handle-him-better way. I think his parents make way too many allowances for his misbehavior and don't hold him nearly accountable enough. They just laugh at his antics and encourage him to seek all his attention this way. One funny thing in this book, however, is when a guest speaker visits the school and Fudge steps up to be his assistant. He's to describe a person as this guest speaker draws him. And he ends up describing the principal in not so flattering terms.

Peter does end up making friends, as does Fudge. Fudge's friend is Daniel. He does NOT eat peas or onions. And Daniel seems to have issues of his own. When Fudge makes his biggest mistake yet, Fudge's dad punishes BOTH Daniel and Fudge. I'm not sure how I felt about that honestly. Does a parent have a right to punish someone else's child?

By the end of the book, the whole family--including Tootsie--decides that New Jersey is NOT their home, and, they definitely want to return to New York City.

© 2017 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great

Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great. Judy Blume. 1972. 160 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: I'm glad there's only one more week of school before summer vacation.

Premise/plot: Sheila Tubman goes away with her family on an extended vacation. The Tubman family is renting a house, and, the house comes with a dog. Sheila is VERY afraid of dogs, and so is most unhappy. Sheila's one BIG weakness is not being able to admit her fears and limitations. She wants to be the best and to already know everything there is to know. Luckily, she makes a new friend that loves her as is, flaws and all. Her friend's name is Mouse.

My thoughts: It was okay. I liked it well enough. I didn't love, love, love it. I'm not really sure why it is part of the Fudge series though. That is the main reason I picked this one up. It's labeled as being the second in the series. And except for one page, Fudge and Peter are not even in it. I think Sheila had a bigger role in Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, than Peter did in Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great. I wanted MORE Peter and Fudge. Not more Sheila. That being said, if I had come to this expecting essentially a stand-alone book, I probably would have not been disappointed.

© 2017 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing. Judy Blume. 1972. 144 pages. [Source: Bought]

First sentence: I won Dribble at Jimmy Fargo's birthday party.

Premise/plot: Peter, our hero who sees himself as a fourth grade nothing, has a little brother nicknamed FUDGE. In chapter one, Peter wins a turtle at a birthday party and introduces readers to his family and his 'biggest problem.' In chapter two, readers see Fudge's misbehavior cost his father an advertising account. (Mr. and Mrs. "Juicy-O" come to stay at their house instead of a hotel.) In chapter three, Fudge goes on a hunger strike. His desperate mother gets him to eat by allowing him to eat under the table on the floor...like a dog. In chapter four, Peter's trip to the park is SPOILED by Fudge pretending to be a bird trying to fly. He knocks his two front teeth out. In chapter five, Fudge has a birthday...and a birthday party much to Peter and his mom's regret!!!! In chapter six, Peter and Fudge spend the day in town with their mom. Fudge is stubborn unless he can be tricked into doing something just like Peter. In chapter seven, Peter and his friends work on their homework....and Peter regrets not having a lock on his door. In chapter eight, Peter's mom goes out of town and leaves her husband in charge of watching the kids. Fudge may be most Fudge-like in this chapter. HE's a MESS....and also a TV star?! In chapter nine, the weekend continues...his mom is still out of town...and his dad is clueless. In chapter ten, tragedy strikes...especially if you're fond of turtles.

My thoughts: LOVED THIS ONE. I did. I'm sure I've read it once before at some point. Or at the very least one of the books about Fudge. But it was such a TREAT to read this short, funny book. I think this is one of those practically perfect in every way books.

© 2017 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews