Otis Spofford

10. [Otis Spofford] by Beverly Cleary

First, it made me so happy to learn that Beverly Cleary is still alive. So many of her books have been a treasure to read to my kids. Otis Spofford is no different.

Otis Spofford isn't quite up there with the Ramona or Henry and Ribsy books on my children's list, but it's still so much better than 90% of the books coming out today for pre-teens. That said, this was written in a different time so there are a couple of spots that don't ring right in today's culture - use of the word "indian" and Otis pretending he's going to scalp someone is one example that jumps out. Still, even that can be a learning opportunity, a chance to explain to kids that people used to accept things years ago which aren't show more acceptable today and how we take steps forward. show less

Dang; Cleary sure did know how to knock 'em out. Unfortunately the Mexican folk dance segment and the references to Indians date the book, but the multi-culturism is not an issue. Otis' poor impulse control is. Even at the end, when his friends cut him and he begins to learn a bit of empathy, he shows no real remorse; he's irrepressible.

I would love to discuss this with children. Do they think Otis should be on Ritalin or in Special Ed? Do they think he's a bully? How would they cope with him if he were a classmate? How might they help him if they were his parent or teacher?

When it comes to stirring up a little excitement in class, Otis Spofford knows just what to do. He can turn a folk dance fiesta into a three-ring circus . . . or an arithmetic lesson into a spitball marathon.

Best of all, Otis likes teasing neat, well-behaved Ellen Tebbits--until the day his teasing goes too far. Now Otis is nervous, because Ellen isn't just mad . . . she's planning something!

The delightful tale of a rowdy, imaginative little boy who loves to stir up trouble... and how he gets his comeuppance. I simply adore the characters Beverly Cleary creates. They are a little bit of sugar, a little bit of spice, just a touch of vinegar, and positively bursting with personality.
This was so much fun to read aloud to my own little boy, who I have a feeling is going to be in future an Otis Spofford/Henry Huggins hybrid. I'm okay with this, though, since I tended to take a page or two out of Ramona Quimby's book and I'm pretty sure it didn't cause any long-term damage :) I always said I would rather have an extremely creative (albeit somewhat naughty) child than a boring one, and it appears, especially with the help of show more Beverly Cleary, I will be getting my wish. I look forward to sharing the adventures of Henry, Beezus, Ramona, Emily and Ralph S. Mouse with my son... just to make sure he's as resourceful and full of personality as possible. show less

Six short stories about Otis Spofford. Although Otis is not hateful and cruel, he is sufficiently mean in some of his pranks to make him an unlikable protagonist. In the stories where his is more mischievous, they're all right. But the couple where he is truly mean spoiled the book a bit for me.

A cute book chronicling the naughty journey of Otis, who enjoys the attention from being in trouble. He goes from one scenario to another, mainly at school where the landlord can't watch. There's no mention of a father in his life, but he is raised by a mother who seems to work most of the time at a dance school. Mischievous Otis seems to both annoy and amuse the teacher, who is the focal point adult in the book. The stories go from a bizarre play where Otis is playing a bull, to a bug disaster, mouse feeding, cutting off a girl's pigtails (I would have done worse in revenge to the little brat) and pig-tail adventures. Kids should enjoy the stories for the fun they're meant to be in the end.

Otis Spofford likes to stir up things at school, on the playground, just about everywhere. And his favorite person to tease is his classmate, Ellen Tebbits!

Beverly Cleary takes us back, again, to life as an eight year old. Another fun read from the author of the "Ramona" books.