| Booktalk #1
8th grader Wallace Wallace’s
book review is not exactly what his teacher was expecting. The assignment
was to give an honest opinion about the book, write about their favorite
part and character and make a recommendation. Here are the first few lines
of Wallace’s report:
“Old Shep, My Pal by Zack Paris
is the most boring book I’ve read in my entire life. I did not have a favorite
character. I hated everybody equally. The most interesting part came on
the last page where it said “The End.” This book couldn’t be any lousier
if it came with a letter bomb. I would not recommend it to my worst enemy.”
The real problem with this honest opinion of Wallace’s is that the book
he has chosen to write about just happens to be his English teacher’s favorite
book of all time. Mr. Fogelman is therefore understandably unhappy with
Wallace’s report – as well as with his argument that every book about a
dog that is supposed to be a “classic” ends up with the dog dying (thus
the title of the book). And assigns him to rewrite it. After school in
detention. The fiasco begins when Wallace reports to the gym to serve his
detention – and finds the drama club rehearsing their new play – an adaptation
of Old Shep, My Pal, written by, you guessed it, Mr. Fogelman. Wallace
has no plans to rewrite his book review, and Mr. Fogelman refuses to let
him off detention until he does. So every day Wallace comes to detention,
and every day he has to watch play rehearsal. It’s not long before he has
some comments to make about the script. Mr. Fogelman dismisses them, but
the actors agree. Before Wallace knows it he’s practically rewritten the
entire play – and suddenly isn't minding detention so much after all!
(Susan Dunn, Colorado
Blue Spruce YA Book Award, 2003)
Booktalk #2
Wallace Wallace is the hometown
hero after he accidentally dived on the football in the end zone during
last year’s championship game. Normally, Wallace sat on the bench during
most of the football game, but this game, he just happened to be at the
right place at the right time.
His best friend, Steve Cavanaugh, likes to think of himself as the best
player on the team. When Wallace gets credit for winning the game, Steve
becomes Wallace’s ex-best friend.
The problem with Wallace is that he can’t tell a lie. He absolutely cannot
tell a lie about anything and sometimes telling the truth gets him in more
trouble. Prime example: Wallace has to write a book report about a book
called Old Shep, May Pal. That may seem innocent enough except that Wallace
hated the book. He wrote:
Old Shep, My Pal by Zach Paris is the most boring book I’ve read in my
entire life. I did not have a favorite character. I hated everybody equally.
The most interesting part came on the last page where it said “The End.”
This book couldn't be any lousier if it came with a letter bomb. I would
not recommend it to my worst enemy.
When Mr. Fogelman reads the review, he hits the ceiling and puts Wallace
on detention until he writes a proper book report. As it happens, the detention
is held in the gym where the drama team is rehearsing for their play. The
title of the play? Old Shep, My Pal. Wallace refuses to write a review
that he feels would be a pack of lies just to please Mr. Fogelman., so
the detention stretches into weeks. Wallace has to endure the boring script
since he refuses to rewrite the report. When one of the cast asks Wallace’s
opinion on one of his lines, Wallace tells the truth like only Wallace
can.
The cast likes Wallace’s revision and starts asking for more much to Mr.
Fogelman’s exasperation. In the mean time, the team and everybody else
is upset with Wallace because while he serves detention, he can’t play
football. Every one expects him to be the salvation of a losing team. No
one believes him when he tells them that he is not the great player they
think he is. When someone starts trying to sabotage the play by ruining
the scenery, and dumping pepper on the cast during rehearsal, everyone
blames Wallace.
Will Wallace cave in and write the review the way Mr. Fogelman wants it
or will he stay and ruin the play? And what about the football team? Will
they turn their backs on Wallace too?
To find the answers to these questions and more, read No More Dead Dogs
by Gordon Korman. (Pam Bowers, pbowers@lcsd.k12.sc.us,
Media Specialist, Kershaw, SC)
Booktalk #3
You would think Wallace Wallace
is a strange boy, but not because his first name is the same as his last.
Wallace Wallace is a boy who never lies, all because his dad couldn't tell
a story without lying.
The choice to never lie turns
out to be a bad idea. Wallace is a football hero for picking up a fumble
for a touchdown, but then there’s a fumble that he can't pick up writing
a book review about Old Shep, My Pal, a book he absolutely hated.
Now Wallace is serving detention
and has to spend it at play practice which keeps him away from football.
Wallace doesn't have to just serve detention he has to find out who is
messing up the play and framing him. He starts getting used to the play
and has to make the biggest decision of his life.
I really recommend this book,
and everyone should grab a hold of this book when you have a chance. This
book will make you laugh out loud and jump out of your seat. Everyone will
love this book because it has a little something for boys and girls.
(Aldin, K-12 student) |
