Charlie Bumpers vs. the Teacher of the Year

by Bill Harley
Illustrated by Adam Gustavson
Charlie Bumpers’s worst fear is confirmed: he has Mrs. Burke for fourth grade. How will he survive the strictest teacher in school? From Bill Harley’s award-winning middle grade series.  
  • ISBN: 9781561457328
  • Publication date: 09/01/2013
  • Page Count: 160
  • Size: 5-1/2" x 7-1/2"
  • Age Range: 7-10
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  • ISBN: 9781561457328
  • Publication date: 09/01/2013
  • Page Count: 160
  • Size: 5-1/2" x 7-1/2"
  • Age Range: 7-10
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  • ISBN: 9781561458240
  • Publication date: 09/01/2014
  • Page Count: 160
  • Size: 5-1/2" x 7-1/2"
  • Age Range: 7-10
  • Price:
  • Age Range: 7-10
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  • ISBN: 9781561458479
  • Publication date: 12/03/2015
  • Page Count: N/A
  • Age Range: 7-10
  • Price:
  • Age Range: 7-10
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Description

Charlie Bumpers’s worst fear is confirmed: he has Mrs. Burke for fourth grade. How will he survive the strictest teacher in school? From Bill Harley’s award-winning middle grade series.

“A real-life world in which a likable kid must face the everyday terrors of childhood: enormous bullies, looming teachers and thick gym coaches with huge pointing fingers…. Readers will be waiting to see how Charlie faces his next challenge in a series that marks a lovely change of pace from the sarcasm of Wimpy Kid.” ―Kirkus Reviews

Shortly before school starts, Charlie Bumpers learns that he will be in Mrs. Burke’s class. It doesn’t matter that she’s been named Teacher of the Year. He’s still afraid of her.

Last year when he was horsing around in the hall, he accidentally hit her in the head with his sneaker (don’t ask). The exasperated teacher declared that if anything like that ever happened again, Charlie would be banned from recess forever. How will he survive a year under a teacher who is just waiting for him to make another stupid mistake? Black and white illustrations throughout. Available in eBook.

This laugh-out-loud series from Grammy Award-winning author Bill Harley is perfect for reluctant and transitional readers. Humor and heart combine with relatable problems and themes of family, friends, and school.

Author/Illustrator

Bill Harley

Author

Bill Harley is a two-time Grammy Award-winning storyteller, musician, and writer who has been writing and performing for kids and families for more than twenty-five years. He is the recipient of Parents’ Choice and ALA awards. He won a 2007 Grammy Award for his children’s storytelling album Blah Blah Blah and a 2009 Grammy Award for his children’s spoken-word album Yes to Running! Bill Harley Live. He lives in Massachusetts.

Adam Gustavson

Illustrator

Adam Gustavson is the illustrator of more than twenty books for children, as well as numerous periodicals. He holds a master of fine arts degree from the School of Visual Arts in New York, and teaches at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. He lives in New Jersey.

Reviews

“The swift-paced story is powered by peppy repartee between Charlie and the people in his life, as well as his droll internal monologue… Dynamic and skillfully drafted ink-and-watercolor spot illustrations from Gustavson, who illustrated Harley’s Lost and Found, help chronicle the hijinks.” ―Publishers Weekly

“While Charlie seems incapable of avoiding mishaps, he also has some very good qualities, like helpfulness, which will have readers cheering him on…this is a fast-paced, enjoyable first entry in a new chapter-book series.” ―School Library Journal

“Harley has teamed once again with illustrator Gustavson (Lost and Found, 2012) to create a real-life world in which a likable kid must face the everyday terrors of childhood: enormous bullies, looming teachers and thick gym coaches with huge pointing fingers. Into this series opener, Harley magically weaves the simple lesson that people, even teachers, can surprise you. Readers will be waiting to see how Charlie faces his next challenge in a series that marks a lovely change of pace from the sarcasm of Wimpy Kid.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“Narrator Charlie is personable and well-rounded as a Ramona Quimby-esque protagonist who faces a series of kid-familiar challenges in trying his best to do the right thing…readers will welcome him as a bumbling but generous addition to the ranks of novels for novices.” ―The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Awards

Parents’ Choice Recommended Award ―Parents’ Choice Foundation, 2013

Kansas State Reading Circle Recommended Reading List (Intermediate) ―Kansas National Education Association 2014

Beverly Cleary Children’s Choice Award ―Oregon Association of School Libraries, 2015-2016

Virginia Readers’ Choice (Master List) ―Virginia State Reading Association, 2015-2016

Charlie May Simon Children’s Book Award (Nominee) ―Arkansas Department of Education, 2015-2016

Delaware Diamonds (Nominee, Grades 3-5) ―Diamond State Reading Association, 2014-2015

Flicker Tale Children’s Book Awards (Nominee, Intermediate) ―North Dakota Library Association, 2016

Golden Sower Award (Nominee, Intermediate) ―Nebraska Library Association, 2015-2016

Great Kids Can Read Award (Nominee) ―Greater Kansas City Association of School Librarians, 2015-2016

Massachusetts Children’s Book Award (Master List) ―Salem State College, 2015-2016

Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Awards (Nominee, Grades 3-6) ―Pennsylvania School Librarians Association, 2014-2015

Rhode Island Children’s Book Award (Nominee) ―Rhode Island IRA Chapter, RILA, REIMA, 2014-2015

Sequoyah Book Awards (Children’s Master list) ―Oklahoma Library Association, 2016

South Carolina Children’s Book Award (Nominee) ―South Carolina Association of School Librarians, 2015-2016

Horned Toad Tales (Nominee) ―Cypress Fairbanks Independent School District, 2014-2015

Gate City Book Award (Nominee) ―Elementary School Librarians of Nashua, New Hampshire, 2016-2017

Resources

Resources: Bookmarks, Poster, Teacher's Guide

Teacher’s Guide
Poster
Bookmark

More Details

AR Level: 3.5
Lexile: 510L
BISAC 1: JUV019000 JUVENILE FICTION / Humorous Stories
BISAC 2: JUV005000 JUVENILE FICTION / Boys & Men