Dan Gutman and Jim Paillot collaborated one more time to deliver the readers another hilarious story in the "My Weird School" series. In "No More School, April Fools!" the students in Ella Mentry School get involved in an epic prank war, with a candy party as the reward if they can win against their teachers.
Filled with intelligent tricks and unpredictable behavior, they try to win over their teachers in a fight of wits and pranks. This April Fools' edition is filled with shenanigans and silliness for anyone who loves reading a funny story.
Gutman recalls his early life in Newark, New Jersey, after his father's abrupt departure in 1968. Graduating from Rutgers University in 1977, he followed his passion for writing, starting with humor.
Despite setbacks, including numerous rejections, he found success with a video games magazine and later ventured into writing about sports. In 1992, inspired by his son, he began writing for children, eventually transitioning to fiction.
Finally, he discovered his passion for writing fiction for kids, finding it creatively rewarding and appreciated by his audience. Today, he resides in New York City with his wife, Nina, continuing to delight children with his humorous stories.
The story starts when A.J. and his classmates reach their breaking point with Miss Banks' relentless pranks. Determined to get even, they hatch a plan to prank her back.
The Principal, Mrs. Stoker, has enough of the frolic and proposes a week-long prank competition between students and teachers. Whatever happens next will be hilarious, as both sides keep making more and more dirty tricks to outdo one another.
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Gutman is an amazing storyteller, and his masterly description of the people of Ella Mentry contributes to the comic part of the book. Every character in the novel, from the naughty A.J. to the strange teachers, brings something special to the narrative.
Paillot's lively pictures also make the characters easy to imagine. She portrays their weird personalities and theatrical movements with many enjoyable details.
Beneath the obvious humor and hijinks, the main central idea of "No More School, April Fools!" is that teamwork and creativity are essential. If you add laughter, everything will turn more and more into joy.
During a prank war, which students and teachers play, they learn to support each other, think creatively, and have a fine sense of humor that helps them enjoy the success of an innocent joke. Through their adventures, readers are reminded of the ties of friendship and the power of humor to unite people.
Apart from the story, the book also includes a wide array of trivia, games, and puzzles, making it a fun reading journey. The young readers will find it enjoyable as trivia questions will test their knowledge, and they will be able to play games inspired by the pranks in the story and solve puzzles.
These interactive features go even further to keep the readers captivated and give the story a more realistic tone, by which the students get absorbed in the Ella Mentry school.
"My Weird School Special: No More School, April Fools!" is a hilarious adventure that affirms the essence of April Fools across the generations, while the story's message is about friendship, teamwork, and the power of laughter. This special edition has funny pranks, unique characters, and bonus interactive extras; it is a sure hit for readers of all ages.
Whether you are a fan of "My Weird School" series, comic books, or simply looking for something to read for fun, this book will put a smile on your face from ear to ear.
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