43) Knucklehead: Tall Tales and Almost True Stories of Growing up Scieszka

Bibliography: Scieszka, Jon; Knucklehead: Tall Tales and Almost True Stories of Growing up Scieszka; Viking; New York; 2008; 106 pages; ISBN 978-0-670-01138-4.

Plot: Jon Scieszka was born the second of six boys to Shirley and Louis Scieszka in Flint, Michigan.  Knucklehead is the mostly true story of his upbringing in a family of six boys.  Scieszka tells humorous tales of how he stayed out of trouble, “I didn’t do it. Tom did it,” avoided doing the dog related chores, and watched his younger brothers.  He explains to boys how growing up in Flint, Michigan really was in a very funny way.  He includes many pictures so readers can imagine they are in his shoes.

Review:  This is probably the funniest book I have ever read.  I found myself laughing out loud at the different situations Scieszka writes about in this book.  Growing up as the second of six boys can’t be easy and Scieszka explains how he stayed alive during this crazy time in his life.  Any boy will love this book and even relate to some of Scieszka’s crazy stories.  Girls will also love this book as a chance to see the inside workings of boy life.  This is a great read for reluctant readers, and parents will be impressed by tweens willingness to dive right into this book. 

Genre: Nonfiction/Autobiography/Humor

Interest Level: age 9-12
Related Books:  Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney; Guys Read: Funny Business by Jon Scieska.

Author Awards:

·         1989: The New York Times Book Review Best Books of the Year citation "The True Story of the Three Little Pigs"

·         1989: American Library Association Notable Children's Book citation The True Story of the Three Little Pigs"

·         1989: Maryland Black-eyed Susan Picture Book Award "The True Story of the Three Little Pigs"

·         1989: Parenting Reading Magic Award "The True Story of the Three Little Pigs"

·         1992: The New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Books of the Year citation The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales

·         1992: School Library Journal Best Books of the Year citation The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales

·         1992: Booklist Children's Editors' Top-of-the-List citation The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales

·         1992: American Library Association Notable Children's Book citation The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales

·         1994: Rhode Island Children’s Book Award The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales

·         1995: Best Children's Book citation "Math Curse"

·         1995: Bulletin Center for Children's Books Blue Ribbon citation "Math Curse"

·         1995: Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books citation "Math Curse"

·         1995: Booklist Top-of-the-List and Editors' Choice citations "Math Curse"

·         1995: Publishers Weekly Best Children's Book "Math Curse"

·         1996: American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults citation "Math Curse"

·         1997: Golden Archer Award for The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales

·         1997: Maine's Student Book Award for "Math Curse"

·         1997: Texas Bluebonnet Award for "Math Curse"

·         1997: New Hampshire The Great Stone Face Book Award for "Math Curse"

·         1999: National Education Association Kids' Top 100 Books "The True Story of the Three Little Pigs"

·         2001: Los Angeles Times Book Review Best Books of the Year citation Baloney, (Henry P.)

·         2001: Reading Magic Award, Parenting magazine Baloney, (Henry P.)

·         2001: The New York Times Book Review Notable Books Baloney, (Henry P.)

·         2001: Reading Magic Awards; Parenting Baloney, (Henry P.)

·         2002: Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts, 2002 Baloney, (Henry P.)

·         2002: Golden Duck Awards for Excellence in Children's Science Fiction Literature Baloney, (Henry P.)

·         2004: Parent's Choice Award Gold Non-Fiction Science Verse

·         2005: American Library Association Notable Children's Book Award Science Verse

·         2005: Golden Duck Awards for Excellence in Children's Science Fiction Literature Science Verse

·         2008: National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, Library of Congress (inaugural award)

·         2009: Bank Street Best Books of the Year "Robot Zot"

·         2009: Irma S. Black Award Honor Book "Robot Zot"

·         2009: The New York Times Book Review Bestseller "Robot Zot"

Author Information: http://www.jsworldwide.com/