Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing
By Barbara Schultz,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Toddler antics bug brother, amuse readers in 1st Fudge book.

A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this book.
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Based on 10 parent reviews
Horrible
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Beware the turtle eating part if you have a sensitive child
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What's the Story?
The first book in Judy Blume's "Fudge" series, TALES OF A FOURTH GRADE NOTHING, takes place over several months in the lives of the Hatcher family: Mr. and Mrs. Hatcher and their sons Peter (age 10) and Farley Drexel (age 3), whose nickname is Fudge. Told from Peter's point of view, the book is a series of anecdotes involving Fudge's always funny, sometimes enfuriating 3-year-old antics. Fudge throws tantrums, refuses to eat, defies his parents, messes up his brother's stuff, and generally causes a lot of mischief for such a small person. Peter, meanwhile, is often placed in embarrassing situations because his parents need his help to wrangle their adorable, impossible 3-year-old.
Is It Any Good?
Judy Blume's Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing will entertain middle-grade readers, especially those who have little brothers or sisters. Blume portrays Fudge in a way that's exaggerated enough to be laugh-out-loud funny but realistic enough to ring true with anyone who's ever tried to reason with a 3-year-old. The Fudge books showcase Blume's wonderful way of creating honest situations and characters that don't skirt family problems but still maintain a humorous, light tone overall.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about sibling relationships. What sorts of things do you argue about with your sibling(s)? What do you like best about your brother or sister?
Why do you think Peter often feels his mother doesn't care as much about him as she does about Fudge? Do you think Peter's parents are unfair to him?
In Peter and Fudge's family, mom does all the cooking and child raising, and dad earns the money. How is the Hatcher family like or different from your family?
Book Details
- Author: Judy Blume
- Genre: Family Life
- Topics: Brothers and Sisters
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Penguin Group
- Publication date: April 28, 1972
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 8 - 11
- Number of pages: 128
- Last updated: July 12, 2017
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