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The Dunderheads

(2009, Fiction - Friendship, Written by Paul Fleischman, Illustrated by David Roberts)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 5, age appropriate for kids over 7; suggested age 7.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Teamwork trumps an evil teacher; too scary for preschoolers.

Themes in this book include:   friendship
updated 07.09.09

Why We Rated This on for Ages 7 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    The message is a bit complicated. The domineering teacher is a tyrant in the classroom, but the kids work together to help one of their classmates who has been her victim. Each eccentric kid offers his or her own talent to help the team succeed.

  • Role models:

    The teacher is definitely not a role model, and gives teachers a bad name, even if the portrayal is meant to be over-the-top and humorous. The kids are clever and smart, and work together to conquer their bullying teacher.

  • Illustrations:

    The watercolor, pen, and ink cartooning is unique and expressive. The mean, domineering teacher is creepy, scary, and very evil-looking. The kids each have unique style, and the gadgets are intriguing. 
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    Nothing really violent happens, but the teacher is domineering and mean, guard dogs threaten with very sharp pointy teeth, and an electric chair is part of the classroom furniture.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Dunderheads

Parents need to know that this is not a book for younger kids. Most older kids will love the humor. However, the message is complicated (the teacher is evil, and the students work together to end her tyranny), and the cartoons are a bit scary (the classroom has an electric chair; there are ferocious dogs, etc.) The book is best for kids who have some experience with school and understand that this isn't a realistic portrayal of teachers and school.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about Miss Breakbone. How did the artist draw her, and why do you think he made her so big, angular, and ugly? Look especially at her mouth. What kind of look would you say she has?
  • How many mistakes did Miss Breakbone make? Which one finally pushed the kids into action? How would you have felt if you were Junkyard? Are teachers really ever this mean?
  • How did each kid get his nickname?  What would your nickname be if you could choose one? Why? What does it show about you?
  • How did teamwork help the kids get the best of Miss Breakbone? Have you ever worked together with your friends to make something right?
Tools and tips that can help

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