Belly Up by Stuart Gibbs

Belly Up

by: Stuart Gibbs

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     Teddy Fitzroy, lives with his mother and father at FunJungle, the newest theme park-safari-zoo in the United States, founded by J.J McCracken . But when FunJungle's mascot, the infamous Henry the Hippo (known for his meanness in the past for circuses and zoos, and for his firing of feces at onlookers), turns up dead in his enclosure, Teddy reckons someone had something to do the death of a healthy hippo one day and dead the next. Teddy feels that it is his job to figure out whoever was involved with Henry's death, if anyone if involved with Henry's death. 

     Henry's perishing has riled up loads of people such as news reporters, Henry mourners, and a so-called animal rights group called the ALF (Animal Liberation Front) who recently blew up a meat packing plant.

     So when McCracken's daughter Summer comes to visit FunJungle, Teddy uses this time to tell Summer about what he knows about Henry's death, she agrees immediately and they set off on a number of adventures including swimming in the hippo enclosure.

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     I would recommend this book to 

Schooled by: Gordon Korman

Schooled

by: Gordon Korman

Rating: 

     Capricorn Anderson has lived with his hippie grandmother and teacher, Rain, his whole life on their farm commune called Garland Farms. 

     But when Rain falls out of a tree picking plums, which results in a broken hip, Cap ends up having to live with a social worker and her cranky high-school daughter and will attend the local middle school Claverage Middle School, known as C Average by its students. 

     Cap learns the hard way that it is C Average tradition to choose the biggest nerd in the school, which now is Cap; with his tie-dye shirts, t'ai chi on the lawn, homemade corn husk moccasins, long never-cut hair, and peaceful state. He is dubbed biggest loser by the popular Zachary Powers (known as Zach) and his group of cronies, and is nominated for eighth grade president. Cap runs unopposed and therefore wins. Now as he is ridiculed as a loser and a dork and will always be teased and taunted in the two months he must go to C Average. 

     But when Mr. Rodrigo, the driver of the bus Cap rides on, has a heart attack, Cap takes control and saves all of the lives riding the bus. Cap is a celebrity in C Average, and everyone is hailing him as the best eighth grade president ever! 

      Now Zach is looking for revenge as his cronies turn into followers for president Cap. Will Cap turn into the laughingstock the eighth grade president? Or will he be the best president C Average has ever had?

     I would recommend this book to ages 10+ because this book is fun! Avid readers can not put this book down, and people who like to read about middle school life and strange humor will enjoy Schooled by Gordon Korman.