The Terrible Two

Sunshine State book. We are getting a head start for next school year and the third grade boy I am reading with is enjoying the plot and characters so far. The chapters are short do he is feeling accomplished as he moves along to chapter five early in the book. He has remained engaged, but occasionally becomes discouraged by the amount of text on each page.

Niles and Miles are back. This ranking team, known as The Terrible Two, are ready for another year of pranking their school, especially their power-loving principal, Principal Barkin. Unfortunately, one of their pranks leads Principal Barkin to losing his job, and now he's been replaced with a much more stern principal, who is out to shut down all pranking.

I straight-up loved Book 1. It was so fun! I frequently recommend it to my 4th and 5th grade students who are looking for something funny to read, and so far they have all loved it. So my students and I were super excited for Book 2. The first third or so of The Terrible Two Gets Worse totally lived up to my expectations. I Laughed Out Loud on almost every page.

Unfortunately, I have to break the news to them that I didn't end up loving it, and that I'm not sure I'll get a copy for our classroom. Here's why -

The pranks in the first book were elaborate, creative, and harmless. There were awesome diagrams accompanying several, and the authors did a brilliant job of incorporating the cows of Yawnee Valley. The first book was outrageous, and that's why so many of us love it.

This second installment simply doesn't do the same things. The pranks are too typical, easy for kids to duplicate, and far from harmless. They put peppers in people's drinks, pull the fire alarm, and drop someone's pants. I've seen this book referred to by another reviewer as mean-spirited, and I totally agree. To make it worse, there are no cows! And no elaborate diagrams! Where is the creativity? Where is the outrageousness?

Overall, I'm hoping that this is just a Second Book Slump, and that the next installment will revive the potential of Book 1.

**Full Disclosure: I was provided an advanced copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

Summary: Miles is the new kid at school. He’s hoping to establish himself as the best prankster there, a title he held in his last school. His pranks keep backfiring, though, and he finally learns why: Niles, the apparently goody-two-shoes kiss-up kid is actually a prankster extraordinaire in disguise. The two eventually put aside their differences and team up to become “The Terrible Two”, eventually bringing their nemesis Principal Barkin to his knees.

What I liked: You can’t go wrong with a prankster, and two pranking geniuses are sure to be appreciated by the elementary school crowd. Both Miles and Niles have their different charms, and humor abounds throughout the story. Short chapters and plenty of illustrations will keep reluctant readers engaged.

What I didn’t like: The whole slacker-kid-outwitting-the-adults thing has become practically its own genre, spawned by the wimpy kid. I’m ready to move on to something new for reluctant boy readers.

This is the second book in the Terrible Two Series, but it is the first one I have read. I enjoyed it immensely. This is a book that mid-grade students will love.

Miles and Niles make up the Terrible Two. They are pranksters that have fun, but do no harm. Their pranks are things like rubbing stinky cheese on the vents of the principal's car or planting wild violets in a pattern so that when the school picture is taken they say something silly. The principal, Principal Barry Barkin, is somewhat a stick in the mud and makes the perfect goat for their pranks. Unfortunately, he loses his job due to the pranks and his father, the previous principal takes over the job and he is even worse. The school loses all it's joy and the boys need to do what they can to help Principal Barry Barkin get his job back. It is a lot of harmless fun and the black and white illustrations add just enough to illuminate the story. I would definitely recommend this book to any elementary schools for their classes and library.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book is brilliant. BRILLIANT! So funny, so gripping, and so expressively illustrated. A great book for any age, even someone in their early 40's. (Don't judge me...). I look forward to more amazing works from these fantastic authors.

I am really glad this was available on the store Prime Reading, otherwise I may never have found it. Sure it is written for kids, but aren’t we all kids at heart? I am. And that’s why I loved it. The two main characters have great personalities, very different personalities, but very real personalities. Human personalities. Prankster personalities. Lovable personalities. Person personalities. Read it. Enjoy it. Laugh along with Miles and Niles as they pull their pranks.

When Miles Murphy, prankster, moves into the small town of Yawnee Valley, he's sure he'll be the best in his game. That is, until a new prankster is revealed-but is making the principal clueless and thinking Miles did it. After the other prankster ruins Mile's birthday party prank, Miles looks for revenge-starting a prank war! Together, they have a battle of wits and suprises. However, April Fools is coming, and what if the Terrible Two work together to make the biggest prank ever? This was a very good book and recommended for ages 7-10. The illustrations were very good, too.

This book was really hilarious and I found myself not wanting to put it down (even though Soda Crush was calling my name). I loved all of the characters, ESPECIALLY the dimwitted principal. I was drawn to this book right from the start when the principal's car is put right in front of the school doors. Wait to you see how the principal solves the problem of getting the kids in the school! This book is about a prankster kid who moves to a new school which already has its own prankster, and it's about cows. How can anyone not love cows and find them amusing? Anyway, read the book to have some laughs and to see if there will be a prankster war or will the two pranksters join forces and give the principal a run for his money...

Mac Barnett and Jory John have created another wacky tale of two boys who see themselves as professional pranksters. But as they continue to plan and pull of pranks, many of which are aimed at their school principal, they come up against a new challenge. Principal Barkin's father, the former Principal Barkin, gets his son fired because of the pranking and takes over the school, where he immediately does everything in his power to make everyone's lives miserable. And despite several attempts, Niles and Miles are stumped by a man who refuses to be pranked, turning each of their pranks into an 'accident'. It seems the new (old?) principal has won. But Niles and Miles refuse to give up though and decide to recruit their former principal into one last attempt to stop Principal Barkin from destroying the school.

One can always trust Mac Barnett to come up with something wacky and this series definitely qualifies. But considering how popular the first book is in my library, I have no doubt that this one will be as well. I have to admire the pranks that the characters come up with, although I would wince to see some of them actually brought to pass (limberger cheese in the ventilation system at school, ew, gross). But the authors have done a great job of creating a villain that the reader wants to hate, he is truly awful and I seriously wanted to tell him off. I was amused by the twist of Niles and Miles actually recruiting their former obnoxious principal, that was definitely unexpected. I am definitely curious about where John and Barnett intend to take the story since now their primary foe knows who they are now. I have no doubt however that wherever the story goes it will be entertaining and full of eye-rolling moments and wacky illustrations that match the tone of the story.

OMG!! My kiddo had a BLAST at school yesterday when the authors of this book came to visit!!

My daughter couldn’t wait to get home to read the book and tried to get out of taking a shower to extend her reading time. She was thrilled when the word ‘prankster’ showed up on page 6. The short chapters really build confidence that they are making progress when reading. The first day of getting this book and she read out loud to chapter 5! (high five to that)

In addition to the awesome content, the whole design of the book is super cool! My daughter said “hey mom, touch the book, see how it feels”. The raised surface is pretty neat and the page inside that is black with the white marking of tick tac toe and other things was also a hit. All of the illustrations throughout keep her intrigued.

When I went in her room this morning I saw a note book on the floor that was opened and had markings of pranks in it. I must say …damn good job! I know I’m in for it with some pranks soon to happen lol! All I have to say is BRING IT ON!!

Thank you for adding some fun to my house!

Miles was a pranking legend back in his old school. But now that he's moving to a dull orderly town he needs to get his reputation back. But there's already a prankster in school named Niles. In school he's a always-smiling suck-up goody-two shoes. But Niles is really a prankster and no one suspects him. Niles wants to team up with Miles to become: The Terrible Two...

I originally got thbis book because it was free with the the store prime, which I have, and I needed something to read. I didn't think I would like it very much, but I ended up really enjoying it. I would really want to read the other books in the series if I got a chance. It was extremely laughter and prank-filed. That's why I think that this book deserves a 5 star rating!

I rate it five stars. It was excellent!
I recommend this.
P.S. This is an awesome kid! Respect him and listen. Because it's nice! I like it!
P.P.S. I have a sense of humor. Tell me jokes, too!
P.P.P.S. I will respect you if you respect me. It's the Golden Rule!

We loved the first book and were eagerly anticipating this sequel. It's just as funny as book one—maybe even better! Once again, the book is packed with clever pranks, smart writing, and terrific artwork that really complements the text. Once again our heroes "embarrass the dour and amuse the merry!"

This book was amazing! Every page felt like I was in the adventure with the awesome Miles Murphy. And to be honest, he is pretty much the pranking master! Also, I kind of wish I could have a principal like Mr. Barkin. He's pretty cool. But really, this book is a MUST read. Can't wait for the squeal.

The Terrible Two by Jory John and Mac Barnett
illustrated by Kevin Cornell
Amulet Books, 2015
Humorous
217 pages
Recommended for grades 3-6

Oh my word, this book annoyed me so much from the first page to the....well, I don't know when. But somewhere along the way the annoying cow references and the annoying principal and the annoying writing style of staccato sentences and the not endearing characters, clicked for me, and then I loved it. How did they do that, that trio of guys?
I will surely be sharing this one with students, I can see it being a big hit for readers that love Wimpy Kid, Timmy Failure, and the likes.

Amazing book. It's Captain Underpants funny! Especially Niles he's the one on the right. He likes to throw off suspicion when doing pranks. One way he accomplishes this, is by telling on people, to principal Barkin when something goes wrong. The other guy Miles, the guy on the left is a guy that likes getting credit for all the pranks he pulls. He is also the new guy at the school too. So naturally Miles and Niles clash with each other about the way they should carry out pranks in school.

My fourth grader and I really enjoyed this book as a read-aloud. As an adult, I really enjoyed the humorous and clever writing, as well as the characterization of the two pranksters, both in need of a friend. This book made us laugh out loud!