Almost Starring Skinnybones

by Barbara Park

Overview

If you thought Junie B. Jones was funny—catch more laughs from New York Times bestselling author Barbara Park with the hilarious sequel to Skinnybones—just right for fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid and I Funny!
 
And the award goes to…Alex Frankovitch! Roll out the red carpet! Alex “Skinnybones” Frankovitch is about to become a HUGE star—in his very own TV commercial! But Alex’s plans for stardom go HORRIBLY wrong. Forget fame and fortune—his friends think he’s a FLOP! And his fan club only has two members—a cat and a drooling toddler. Can Alex figure out another way to get his name in lights? Or is this star going to crash and burn?
 
“Skinnybones equals tickled funny bones.” —Booklist
 
“Young Alex ‘Skinnybones’ Frankovitch finally gets his chance to become a Big Celebrity…in this amusing follow-up to Skinnybones.” —Publishers Weekly
 
“Once again demonstrating her remarkable ear for dialogue, [Barbara Park] also shows a good sense of timing in this fast-paced outing.” —School Library Journal

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780394825915
Publisher:	Random House Children's Books
Publication date:	10/17/1989
Series:	Skinnybones Series , #1
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	160
Sales rank:	1,145,723
Product dimensions:	5.19(w) x 7.63(h) x 0.43(d)
Lexile:	620L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

BARBARA PARK is beloved by millions as the author of the wildly popular New York Times bestselling Junie B. Jones series, which has been translated into multiple languages and is a time-honored staple in elementary school classrooms around the world. She is also the author of award-winning middle-grade novels and bestselling picture books, including Skinnybones, Almost Starring Skinnybones, Mick Harte Was Here, and The Kid in the Red Jacket. Barbara died in 2013, but her legacy lives on in the laughter her books give to readers all over the world.

Hometown:

Scottsdale, Arizona

Date of Birth:

April 21, 1947

Place of Birth:

Mt. Holly, New Jersey

Education:

B.S., University of Alabama, 1969

Website:

http://www.randomhouse.com/kids/junieb

Editorial Reviews

Alex Frankovitch figures that he has finally made it. Having won the National Kitty Fritters Commercial Contest, he hopes to impress the folks back home. At last, he thinks, he will shed his humiliating nickname ``Skinnybones'' and develop a new, more powerful persona through a successful TV career. There is just one hitch: Alex's big break into commercials is as a wimpy, six-year-old weakling, wearing a Davy Crockett cap and pulling a red wagon. To further compound his problems, his nemesis Annabelle Posey is enjoying his discomfort, and Alex can't even land the lead in the Christmas play. This lively sequel to Skinnybones won't disappoint readers; once again, Alex's struggles to reconcile his dreams with the rough realities of middle school are related in a humorous, fast-moving style. Ages 8-12. (March)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Gr 4-6 Alex ``Skinnybones'' Franko vitch returns as a media starin his own mind, at least. Fans of Skinny bones (Knopf, 1982) will remember that Alex, the winner of a cat food contest, was slated to star in a TV commercial. Here Alex prepares for stardom by signing autographs for his highly reluc tant public and by trying to drum up a fan club. Unfortunately, the commer cial brings ridicule rather than fame ; but is Alex daunted? Not hehe only tries harder to impress, with predict ably disastrous results, including a not- so-starring role in the Christmas play. Through it all, he remains a cheerfully unfazed, obnoxious braggart; and what is particularly astonishing is that Park has made Alex a likable character in spite of himself. Once again demon strating her remarkable ear for dia logue, she also shows a good sense of timing in this fast-paced outing. Every child knows an Alex Frankovitch, so this is sure to be as popular as its prede cessor. Kathleen Brachmann, High land Park Public Library, Ill.

School Library Journal