The Terrible Two Get Worse: The Terrible Two, Book 2
By Darienne Stewart,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Smart sequel serves up giggles with heartfelt touches.
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What's the Story?
Miles and Niles are having a terrific fall, enlivening Yawnee Valley Science and Letters Academy with nearly daily pranks. But they go too far when they leave their mark on the annual school-wide photo and their frequent target, Principal Barkin, is fired. The boys feel bad, and they feel even worse when they realize the new principal -- Principal Barkin's father – is an even more powerful foe. This Principal Barkin makes school miserable for everyone except his grandson, Josh, whose bullying now goes unchecked. Miles and Niles feel responsible for everything that's happened. One good prank could set things right ... and to pull it off, they'll need to team up with a most unlikely ally.
Is It Any Good?
When a joke goes too far, the victim isn't the only one who suffers -- the Terrible Two must wrestle with their consciences in this lively sequel that pulls off sensitivity and slapstick humor. In THE TERRIBLE TWO GET WORSE: THE TERRIBLE TWO, BOOK 2, laughter proves to be the best revenge. The hilarity of the first book continues here, and as before, much of it surrounds Principal Barkin: Forced out of his job by his own dad, he ineptly pursues new hobbies such as making hand turkeys and soap -- each failed effort depicted with wonderful full-page illustrations by Kevin Cornell.
The tensions between adults and children are the core of the story, from the burden placed on the fifth Barkin serving as principal to Niles' disappointment with his parents' lack of interest in his accomplishments. There's thoughtful stuff here -- particularly themes of despotism and dissent -- but it's presented with a wink and a smile.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the principal's approach to shutting down pranks. Do you find it helps to ignore annoying behavior by other kids?
How does The Terrible Two Get Worse compare with other books you've read that present teachers, principals, and other adults as ridiculous figures? What makes these stories so fun to read?
How can you tell when a joke has gone too far?
Book Details
- Authors: Mac Barnett , Jory John
- Illustrator: Kevin Cornell
- Genre: Humor
- Topics: Friendship , Great Boy Role Models
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Amulet Books
- Publication date: January 12, 2016
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 8 - 12
- Number of pages: 224
- Available on: Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: July 13, 2017
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