James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein Prove You Can’t Judge a Book by Its Cover with Pottymouth and Stoopid
Whoever coined the old adage, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” obviously never went to middle school. As anyone who’s lived through being a tween will tell you, words hurt—just ask David and his best friend, Michael, the underdog stars of James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein’s new book, Pottymouth and Stoopid, out June 12.
Pottymouth and Stoopid
Hardcover $13.99
Pottymouth and Stoopid
By
James Patterson
Illustrator
Stephen Gilpin
In Stock Online
Hardcover $13.99
In their latest read, the authors of the I Funny series tackle some serious topics like bullies, family problems, and friendship with a light hand, adding comedy, cartoons, and an unexpected turn of events. The book is told from David’s first-person perspective through a funny, approachable narrative that will appeal to even the most reluctant of readers.
In their latest read, the authors of the I Funny series tackle some serious topics like bullies, family problems, and friendship with a light hand, adding comedy, cartoons, and an unexpected turn of events. The book is told from David’s first-person perspective through a funny, approachable narrative that will appeal to even the most reluctant of readers.
Michael and David—aka Pottymouth and Stoopid—actually got their terrible titular nicknames way back in preschool. And unfortunately, their classmates continued calling them Pottymouth and Stoopid all the way up to seventh grade, which is the point at which readers meet the boys. As the book accurately points out, “[s]ome kids get unfairly labeled early in life. And those labels can be very hard to lose. They stick with you. Sort of like when you step in bubblegum.”
The teachers and administrators at school don’t make things much better for the pair, assuming they must be just as worthless as their nicknames imply. For Michael, the lack of support continues even into his home life, as he lives with foster parents who care more about finding the remote and yelling at each other than knowing what’s going on in Michael’s life. David, at least, has his mom, though she works a lot. His “Ex-Dad,” as he’s referred to in the book, only pops up when it benefits him.
I Funny Boxed Set
Hardcover $41.99
I Funny Boxed Set
By
James Patterson
,
Chris Grabenstein
Illustrator
Laura Park
Hardcover $41.99
As readers soon learn, though, these two remarkable kids certainly don’t live up to their reputations, as both are extremely bright, loyal, creative, and clever. After a remarkable—and yes, completely unrealistic yet totally entertaining—development, Michael and David even go on to earn the respect and admiration of kids and teachers at school.
As readers soon learn, though, these two remarkable kids certainly don’t live up to their reputations, as both are extremely bright, loyal, creative, and clever. After a remarkable—and yes, completely unrealistic yet totally entertaining—development, Michael and David even go on to earn the respect and admiration of kids and teachers at school.
One extremely important note to parents, teachers, and any other grown-up who might think a book called Pottymouth and Stoopid is lacking merit: Don’t let the book’s title fool you—there’s no real pottymouthing in the book, and the only stupidity might be that of the bullies at school. Michael—Pottymouth—earned his moniker from all of the words he makes up like “flufferknuckles,” “bifflebusting,” and “snifflepiggle.” And both of these kids have patience and wisdom beyond their years. As David puts it, “When life throws curveballs at us, we duck.”
It’s quite a feat for a middle grade book to be both silly and insightful, but Pottymouth and Stoopid manages to do just that, proving once again that you really can’t judge a book by its cover. Young readers will appreciate the book’s humor and honesty and might even get some new ideas for dealing with difficult bullying situations along the way.
What do you think of Patterson and Grabenstein’s new book, Pottymouth and Stoopid?