The Curtain Went Up, My Pants Fell Down

Hank Zipzer is in the 5th grade, and he is not the strongest student. In fact, he's struggling so much that he just found out he has to have a peer tutor for Math. And as if it's not enough that he has to do peer tutoring, he finds out that his peer tutor is Miss Goody Two-Shoes herself, Heather Payne. And as if that isn't enough, Heather announces to the whole 5th grade that Hank needs tutoring. But on the same day, Hank also finds out about something exciting: the school play. The school is going to put on Anna and the King of Siam, and Hank feels in his bones that the lead role is made for him. To get into character at home, he says things like, "The king has arrived. Please show the proper respect," and "Hear ye, hear ye, loyal subjects, the king is home for his royal snack." His dad doesn't think that is so funny. His dad also doesn't think it's so funny when he finds out that he is failing math. In fact, his dad finds it so not funny, that he considers not letting Hank try out for the play. Instead, they make a deal: Hank can try out for the play, and if he gets the part, he can play it, as long as he gets a B+ on his math test. No problem, right? Wrong. The last time he got a B+ was in "plays well with others," and that was in pre-school.

Does Hank get the lead in the play? Does he tolerate tutoring with the perfect Heather Payne? Does he meet his dad's grade requirement? To find out, read The Curtain Went Up, My Pants Fell Down, by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver.

This book is part of the series, Hank Zipzer: The World's Greatest Underachiever. No need to read the titles in order. They are great fun, and written by the Fonz himself. Kids 3rd through 6th grade will probably enjoy them.