Poop Fountain! The Qwikpick Papers, Book 1
Funny middle schoolers' adventure brims with potty talk.
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Poop Fountain! is the first book in The Qwikpick Papers series by Tom Angleberger. Like his popular Origami Yoda series, this story revolves around the friendships of young teens, including family life, first crushes, and popular culture. Poop Fountain! is narrated by Lyle, who plans an adventure with his closest friends, Marilla and Dave, to sneak into the local waste-treatment facility to see the "poop fountain," which is part of the wastewater cleaning process. There's a lot of non-profane potty talk and gross-out moments. Readers learn that Lyle's parents smoke and their boss may have a drinking problem, but adults are not active participants in the plot, which focuses on the kids' adventure, their desire for independence, and the economic differences and changes that affect their families.
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What's the Story?
Poop Fountain! is narrated by Lyle Hertzog, a middle schooler whose parents work in a Qwikpick convenience store. Lyle and his friends Marilla and Dave hang out in the break room at the Qwikpick, where they eat snacks, play Ms. Pac-Man, and make plans. Because Lyle's parents work in a 24-hour shop, and Marilla's family members are Jehovah's Witnesses, and Dave's family is Jewish, all three friends are free on Christmas day and want to have a fabulous adventure together. When one of their classmates brings an article to civics class about changes at the local waste-treatment plant, the three decide to go see the "poop fountain" (part of the wastewater processing) before the facility switches to a new system. Their Christmas adventure leads them to view first-hand some of the changes happening to housing in their community. (Lyle's parents are worried that new townhouses will price Lyle's family and all the other inhabitants of their trailer park out of the area.) Even more so, it prompts loads of potty talk and laughs, and some mishaps they won't forget.
Is It Any Good?
POOP FOUNTAIN! will surely entertain middle-graders and tweens with hilarious potty language and the prospect of a visit to a poop fountain. Meanwhile, kids will also learn some fun (and funny) facts about waste treatment and the ways economic "progress" affects financially disadvantaged families.
It's also worth noting that this little group of friends is racially and religiously diverse. This new book from a very popular author is silly, engaging, and actually somewhat eye-opening.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the kids' visit to "poop fountain." Why do you think they wanted to go there so much?
How does Poop Fountain! compare with the Origami Yoda books by the same author?
The three friends write hilarious haikus about the smell of the poop fountain. Try writing your own funny haiku.
Book Details
- Author: Tom Angleberger
- Illustrator: Jen Wang
- Genre: Friendship
- Topics: Adventures, Friendship, Science and Nature
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Amulet Books
- Publication date: May 20, 2014
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 8 - 12
- Number of pages: 144
- Available on: Nook, Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: July 12, 2017
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