Roxie and the Hooligans

Roxie and the Hooligans  Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

(2006). Aladdin .  New York. 116 pg.  ISBN:1-4169-0243-0  $16.95

Target Audience:

Ages 7-12, possibly older lower level readers.

Synopsis/Characters:

Roxie Warbler, niece of the great Explorer Dangerfoot; Uncle Dangerfoot, Lord Thistlebottom, The Hooligans: Helvetia Hagus, Freddy Filch, Simon Surly, and Smokey Jo.

Roxie wants more than anything to be a great explorer like her Uncle Dangerfoot and the great Lord Thistlebottom.  She has read and memorized Lord Thistlebottom’s book: Lord Thistlebottom’s Book of Pitfalls and How to Survive Them.  The most important piece of advice in the book, “Do Not Panic”, proves to be more valuable than Roxie could ever have thought when she gets marooned on an island with the same bunch of Hooligans from school (who have voted her Victim of the Year) and a pair of criminals!  Roxie proves her moxie (sorry – couldn’t help myself…) , survives and even gets the Hooligans on her side.

What stands out:

Ms Naylor’s wonderful sense of humor and ability to tell a story, make this book another must read for kids and adults alike.  Set in Chin-in-Hand, Massachusetts, in an indeterminate time, this story proves that no one is too small to be a heroine or too young to be a great explorer.  Roxie’s use of Lord Thistlebottom’s advice is priceless and gets her out of many a mess as she remembers not to panic.  Even if she can’t jump out of a plane, face a charging rhino or swim through a river of crocodiles, there are lots of things she can do!

Notes for fellow SLMS or classroom teachers:

 This is a wonderful book to use as a read aloud.  There are a lot of resources online for class/library lessons as well. 

Awards:

Chicago Public Library's Best of the Best,

Flicker Tale Children's Book Award Master List (ND),

Great Stone Face Book Award Master List (NH)

Would you recommend the book to: classroom teachers, students, classmates, parents?Yes! Anyone who has ever been picked on will fall in love with Roxie and her bravery!  Do not panic!  Read this!