 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
How to Eat Fried Worms
- By Thomas Rockwell
- Genre: Humor
Common Sense Media says
Kids are sure to devour this gross-out book.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this book's title isn't just a gimmick; it's actually a story about eating real, live worms (or, in some cases, worms that have been cooked and killed). Kids will laugh, but adults are likely to get grossed out. There is a fistfight, and two of the boys cheat to win the bet. And since the book was released in 1973, some gender roles seem outdated.
What's the story?
Billy Forrester's always up for a dare, but this time he's in for a real challenge. His friends, Alan and Joe, bet Billy fifty dollars that he can't eat 15 worms in 15 days. Billy survives the first one, chokes down the second, and practically relishes the third.
When Joe and Alan realize that Billy's going to stick to his goal -- and even enjoy doing it -- they try everything they can to keep Billy from reaching his goal. Billy, with the help of his family and his friend Tom, tries to stay one step ahead of their tricks. They even create new recipes -- from Southern Fried Worm to Whizbang Worm Delight -- to help Billy reach his goal.
Is it any good?
There's one thing to be said for HOW TO EAT FRIED WORMS: It gets kids to read. Its disgusting premise, a bet about eating worms, is so in tune with middle-grade humor that even kids who say they hate books will read it and recommend it to their friends. In the end, this may not be literature, but the humor will genuinely appeal to kids reluctant to leave behind the silly humor of early reader series like The Adventures of Captain Underpants.
Its short chapters and numerous pictures help young readers ease the transition to longer chapter books. But the book, which has now spawned a movie, will have less appeal for adults. Grown-ups are likely to get tired of the repetition -- there are only so many ways to cook a worm, after all -- and might feel slightly sick along the way.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about why gross-out books are so popular.
Why do you like them -- and is there any kind of situation that would
be so gross you wouldn't want to read about it?Parents might also want
to ask kids what the message here is.Think past the gross stuff: Do
the characters end up learning anything? Finally, families who see the movie might want to compare and contrast it with the book. What's different?Which version do you prefer?
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AGE
Great for the boys in your life.
Definitely a book about the troubles that boys can get into. I like that the parents stayed out and let the boys figure it out by themselves.Reading how the boys tried to get out of this mess that they created was entertaining and imaginative.
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AGE
Fun and fast-paced story
Read it aloud to my 6-year old daughter and 8-year old son. They loved it!
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AGE
The title says it all.
Can a bet drive you far enough to eat FRIED WORMS?! Well in this case yes!
Read all about it
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AGE
Awesome!
THIS BOOK IS A “DELIGHTFUL†BOOK IT IS BEYOND THE BEYOND. THE MAIN IDEA ABOUT THE BOOK IS A BOYNAMED BILLY THAT TRIED TO BE A SHOW OFF TWARDS HIS FRIENDS AND THE NEXT DAY THE SCHOOL BULLY HEARD ABOUT IT AND HE BETED BILLY TO EAT FIFTHTEEN WORMS IN FIFTHTEEN DAYS AND THE REST YOU HAVE TO CHECK IT OUT TO HEAR THE REST! THIS BOOK IS FOR THE AGES 9 AND UP!
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AGE
Christinas boss
This book is for 10 and up this is for boys who like worms and its not really for girls unless your a tom boy and u like worms the charters are all boys and girls would get grossed out by them
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AGE
This book is fun, fun, funny!
Book Review for How To Eat Fried Worms
by Thomas Rockwell
Reviewed by: Alec Gildone
May 27, 2009
How to Eat Fried Worms is a good book and is fun to read. There is a funny part in the book where Tom, Billy, Allen and Joe have a rock war and they were calling each other silly names.
My favorite part of the book is when Billy’s friends challenge him to eat fried worms to win a mini bike. It’s my favorite because I like mini bikes and want to get one but my mom won’t let me because she is mean.
I think the characters in this book are real people that are just like me and my friends. They bet each other and have wars.
The ending was really cool, but I don’t want to give it away.
I recommend kids read this book because it is funny and it’s easy for third graders to read, like me.
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AGE
It was so exciting that I needed a new heart!
How to Eat Fried Worms is an amazing thriller! They had me shocked by their attitudes. I think the book is for adventurously 4th grade kids and up. They would love this book, but the girls wouldn't that much. They might get grossed out by the worms. The worms were as squishy and slimy as slugs. The boys in the book argued and fought. It was amazing! The highlight of the story is about this boy that made a bet with a bully that he couldn't eat 15 worms in 15 days one a day. This book is amazing, thrilling, and fun!
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AGE
This books rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think that 4th and up should read it and parents. It is interesting to read I hope that you read this book. I think boys would mostly like like to eat fried worms. If girls want to read it they can and I hope whoever read it I hope yall will like it,please read it!!!
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| Author: | Thomas Rockwell |
| Illustrator: | Emily Arnold McCully |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Humor |
| Publication date: | August 24, 2006 |
| Number of pages: | 116 |
| Paperback price: | $4.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 9 - 12 |
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