Theo Baker

This is the first Hank Zipzer book I have read although I have watched many students check them out from my school library. Hank seems to be the British equivalent of Greg Hefley. Both consider themselves underachievers, and much of the book focuses on the antics of the main character trying to get out of a situation they put themselves into.

In this book, Hank’s sister and parents are out of the apartment while his sister gets her tonsils out. Hank has planned a “Grand Pizza and show more Ice-Cream Gala and Soiree” with his friends. This would be fine except he has a report on WWI due the next day. Add that he must take care of his sister’s pet lizard and let the shenanigans begin. The story is well-paced with short chapters that are just right for more reluctant readers. The sister’s brilliant character is fun as she shows more sanity than her parents over her operation.

What is most special about this book is the font. It is written in OpenDyslexic which increases the readability for those with dyslexia. The font is heavier at the bottom which seems to help ground the letters.

I would definitely recommend this book for students who have read the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series and are looking for something new. They won't be disappointed with this one. show less

Hank is a twelve year old with big ideas for fun and little motivation for schoolwork. In this story Hank’s little sister Emily, who is an absolute precocious hoot, is having her tonsils removed and is spending the night in the hospital. Hank is thrilled his sister and his parents will be away so he plans “Uncle Hank’s Grand Pizza and Ice-Cream Gala and Soiree” with his two best friends. Unfortunately Hank has a huge history project and presentation and he hasn’t even started on. show more He also agreed to take care of Katherine, Emily’s pet lizard who luckily gives Hank an idea for his project. The characters and story are wonderfully relatable and it was amusing to experience everything with Hank. This book was based on characters created by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver and set in font designed to help readers that are dyslexic. show less

This is a fine book for kids. It definitely includes all of the silly and gross elements kids love. I’m not sure how relatable this story is to real life, but it is a very fun read. I like how this font is used to increased readability for kids with dyslexia. I can imagine that this would be an entertaining read when kids are reading for pleasure. In my opinion, it lacks a bit of educational value. That may make kids like it even more. :)

Hank Zipzer wants to be seen as grown up, so he signs up for Miss Adolf's Camp Carnage, a survival camping trip. This is definitely a book that would be easier to read as a child than as an adult, not so much for the difficulty, but due to the carelessness of Hank. He just seemed so disrespectful, while to a child, I think they would appreciate that sort of rebellion more. On a side note, I did appreciate that the books was written in a font that apparently is more friendly to dyslexic show more people. If that is true, I really appreciate that, even though to me, it felt like the text was melting and a bit distracting.

The book starts with Hank wanting to seem more grown up. He tries making dinner for his folks, but it turns out terrible. So looking for a plan b, he ends up backing into Camp Carnage, an overnight trip run by the strict teacher Miss Adolf (I assume is a reference to Hitler), when a bully infers Hank could never make it though. So Hank decides to go on the camping trip, a trip he most assuredly is not ready for. And while he takes along the most useless stuff for a camping trip (think light sabers), the camping trip turns sour when Miss Adolf hurts her ankle and Hank is the only one who can help.

Two things happen that really bothered me about the book. Again, maybe it's because of my age and these things probably don't bother kids. They basically were having to do with Hank's attitude. The first dealt with what I would deem a precious gift. Hank was given a kit someone's grandfather used to survive when stranded during WWII. Instead of seeing them as valuable tools, Hank left it, not seeing it as useful at all. The second involved living up to the rules. One of the rules was no phones. Instead of listening to that rule, Hank sneaked his phone in. And also coincidentally, Miss Adolf hurt herself, so it was necessary to use to get help so it was a good thing. The lessons of the book seemed to be ignore the rules, hide your phone when you are told not to have it, don't listen to your teacher, don't learn about the outdoors or how to survive, don't value precious things given to you, don't do things for yourself. When the premise seemed to be Hank wanting to mature, he was rewarded for doing the exact opposite,. And it all surrounded never leaving your phone. When so many children (and adults) are device addicted, this seems like an odd lesson. I guess the lesson is supposed to be how a phone can come in handy if someone gets hurt and calling for help is mature? Maybe I'm just too old to appreciate what this book is supposed to be. show less