Summer School! What Genius Thought That Up?

Hank Zipzer #8

by Henry Winkler, Lin Oliver, Carol Heyer (Illustrator)

Summer school are two words in the English language that Hank Zipzer doesn't want to learn. But there's no getting out of this one for Hank-summer school, here he comes! Will Hank have to spend the summer bored to death inside a sweltering classroom, or will he actually learn a cool lesson or two?


From the Trade Paperback edition.

Genres: Realistic Fiction, Fiction, Childrens, Middle Grade, Humor, Juvenile

160 pages, Hardcover

First published April 21, 2005

About the author

Henry Winkler is instantly recognizable and admired by audiences of all ages for his role as the Fonz on the long-running series, Happy Days. In addition, he is an award-winning producer and director of family and children's programming. He is also the author of the critically-acclaimed Hank Zipzer series, which follows the everyday adventures of a bright boy with learning challenges.

Mr. Winkler has also continued his acting career on the big screen, including a Golden Globe nomination for his performance in Nightshift, a starring role in the box-office hit Scream, and co-starring roles in The Water Boy, and Holes. On television, he has guest-starred on ABC's The Practice and NBC's Law & Order: SVU. He recently starred on Broadway for nine months in Neil Simon's play The Dinner Party.

Mr. Winkler is deeply committed to children's welfare and works with numerous children's groups. He is involved with The MacLaren Children's Center (a facility for abused children), The National Committee for Arts for the Handicapped, The Special Olympics, and The Los Angeles Music Center's Very Special Arts Festival, as well as numerous teenage alcohol and drug abuse programs. He is a founding member of the Children's Action Network, a non-profit organization that sponsors informational briefings for writers, producers and directors on children's issues and serves as a clearing-house for the entertainment industry on children's issues.

Reviews

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whenever I think of summer school, I think about the scene in Big Fat Liar where Frankie Muniz's character is forced to attend classes during summer break, and how the first day was a nightmare. When I first saw that, I hadn't actually attended summer school; while I had done summer classes, such as a computer class at a local college, they weren't for a grade, and some of them weren't even sponsored by the school system. My first time taking actual summer school was in 2004, when I had to attend an outdoor gym class...and I hated it! Most of you don't know me that well, but, trust me when I say this: I'm about as un-athletic as they come. Between bad coordination--seriously, even my handwriting is usually horrible--not knowing the rules of sports, and not being as physically strong as my same-gender peers, that outdoor P.E. class was about as appropriate as forcing someone who hates Disney Channel to sit through a six-hour marathon of Lizzie McGuire. If it hadn't been required, I wouldn't have done it; still, it was better that it was only a few weeks during the summer than a whole semester of a school year.

So, just like with the last book, I can identify with Hank's struggles here. Though the ending made me smile, reading this also made me glad that I'm done with school in general...so I don't ever have to worry about attending summer classes again.

[Tal · Rating 2 out of 5]

this was an ok book. there was some stuff that i loved - like a kid overcoming his challenges and teamwork and looking out for younger students and finding a way to present a project that is both fun and educational. that was the good side. the negative side was all of the character issues - the bully who is never brought in line by the teacher, the discussion of the feelings about the bully, the name calling. i might be an idealist when it comes to books, but i think that the negative was just unneccessary.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

so funny i loved it

perfect for gavin g

[Mps · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute and enjoyable young readers book I found while going through some of my boxes of books. This book is about a boy with dyslexia, his struggles and achievements in school, and his friendships.

[Suyog Kunwar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book is gonna be boring but I was wrong. It turned out to be pretty interesting. In this book Hank was kept in summer school. There was this luau in where Hank wanted to go but he could go only if he gets A in his presentation about Albert Einstein. His presentation became great and he got A+. He could attend the luau with his friend Frankie and Ashley. And he also made a new friend whose name was Mason. He was a kindergartener who could draw very well and also became Hank's summer best friend.

[Terry]

Young Reader Reaction: This book is very enjoyable and reminds me of how much fun summer was when I was growing up. It is also fascinating to learn about a famous person and discover how we can have things in common even though we will never get the chance to meet. I recommend this book to 2nd graders and above. Young readers can explore their uniqueness and it helps them understand that studying hard will get you good grades. This book is also a very easy read that anyone can enjoy whether it is a student or a parent telling the story to their kid.

Pros: Hank may hate school, but it makes for fun reading for everyone else. This is a series that all readers (boys, girls, parents) can enjoy.

To read our full review, go to the Reading Tub.

[Duane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great series for reluctant readers and boys in general. Having said that, so far this is my favorite one of the series. Hank finds himself suffering with having to go to summer school while his two best friends get to party at summer daycamp. After making a deal with his dad, now Hank has to get a "A" on his report or he can't go to the talent show with his friends. Hank is such a adorable main character that you just wan't to hug him. The authors do such a great job of making all characters believable, that the reader really enjoys reading each chapter. A great book for anyone's library collection.

[Haim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Henry Winkler, former TV celebrity turned author, wrote a very good book about a boy with learning problems. I read this book on March 14 in in honor of Albert Einstein's birthday, a subject that this book deals with in the form of a oral project that Hank Zipzer, who has dyslexia, has to do. The book deals with dyslexia with respect.

[Abdul · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book

[Characters With Disabilities]

LD

[young moe · Rating 3 out of 5]

i have been readin this book since monday so far the boy had 2 go 2 summer school cause he had filled a class.so he is knoe in summerskool and everyone is havin fun at the pool

[Dad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hank Zipzer is so funny.

[Schuyler · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hank Zipzer is so funny!

[Kaytlyn Paglusch]

It was Amazing

[Yasuko · Rating 2 out of 5]

2011.11.18 25119words

[Roberta Ruiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was extremely hilarious

[jill ramirez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for a class read aloud

This book would be great to read anytime of the school year , even to introduce a biography unit .

[Grace Sargeant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yet another cute addition this series. I am thoroughly enjoying each of these various books in this series and how they not ongoing characterize Hank as a lovable, faulted lead, but also the clear points it makes about learning challenges and the daily struggles faced by these individuals. Yet another item to consider for kids with learning challenges is their regular participation in summer school and the associated disappointments and opportunities that arise for them in attending. While in the prior book, it was established that Hank would attend summer school to make up for his low grades rather than repeat the fourth grade (a success in and of itself that had been celebrated in that book accordingly), he finds the disappointment of having to attend class while his friends are enjoying summer day camp at his school. Thus, he has a constant reminder of the fun he is missing out on and temptation to stray from staying on task with summer classes. However, he also finds relief in having his favorite teacher leading his summer school education. All clinches on his final report and being able to communicate learning about a famous historical individual in order to participate with his friends in the summer talent show. I feel that a critical piece of this book involves the wisdom of Hank's summer school teacher, Mr. Rock, the very same music teacher that recognized Hank's learning challenges early on and gave hope for seeking help. He understands and identifies Hank's unique ways of communicating his learning and not necessarily demonstrating his knowledge through traditional means. This teacher, just like any wise and insightful teacher out there, is the reason for Hank succeeding in his summer classes a Dan, thereby, passing on to the fifth grade. Of course, this would not be a Hank Zipzer book without his characteristic humor and silly situations that only he can find himself in. I've already started the next book in this series and am continuing to enjoy riding alongside Hank and his friends as he discovers more about his challenges and, more importantly, his unique strengths.

[Debra Hahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hank has to go to summer school in order to pass fourth grade. What he didn’t know how hard it was going to be, seeing his other class mates doing a
Hawaiian camp for summer. Now he made friends with a kindergarten boy
Who helped make things easier. He’s stuck with the school bully which makes
his life in summer school even more miserable. Then His teacher picks a book
Report for him to do on Albert Einstein, promising him a A+ if he dose a good
Job on it! Can he do it? Can he get pass his learning disabilities to come pleat
It and speak in front of the class too? Read this action packed comedy and
high antics by Hank and his best class friends help him to do his report?
Read it and find out! A mother great book by Henry Winkler & Lin Oliver Winkler.
Debra H.

[Debra Hahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading and a true friend

Full of funny high jinks by a bunch of kids,during summer vaction. Some
Off to junior explorer, while some landed in the dreded boring summer
school. Now they say make the best of it, easy to say meaningless junk
like that.....why because they aren't stuck in it with mean kids making
sport of you. But Hank decides to give it all he has to make a good grade
and setting a good example of a true friend and doing what's right. Kids
Of all ages will enjoy reading this book, and use it to set up family reading time. Henry Winkler has a whole series of thes fun books. Pick some up
and let the fun and laughter begin.
Debra H.

[Steven R. McEvoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our last adventure found Hank making it out of the fourth grade but only if he attends summer school, to strengthen his academic skills. This book begins the first day of summer school. And while Hank will still get to walk to and from school with his best friends Ashley and Frankie, they were participating in the Junior Explorer's program and Hank was stuck back in the classroom with 10 other fourth and fifth graders. While he sits in class he can watch the junior explorers prepare for a luau.

Hank desperately wants to attend the luau, but his father has set a condition - Hank must get an A on his assignment on Friday, a presentation on a person that they admire. Mr. Rock the music teacher who is leading summer school suggests that Hank does his on Albert Einstein. Papa Pete takes him to the NYC Library to get a library card and a slew of books. The interesting thing is Hank begins to have fun learning; he also reads for fun. But can he get his A and be able to go to the party? Read and find out.

[Bada Valentine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahh summer school. Whenever I think about summer school I think about spending hours and hours at school, but I just got to find out that you don't actually spend hours and hours at school. It's just for a short amount of time.

[Chance Hansen · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Price of buying books in a series before reading them.

Cover
Cover is fine. I think it looks great.


Interior
Probably going to say this in each review but I really like Henry Winkler. The guy brings a smile to my face but I have the hardest time with his book.

I have to admit It’s really cool Mr. Rock appears and that could be because how he’s written feels genuine or because all I can see is Henry Winkler in this role as he is in the show. If feels like a self-insert mentor and hero which he is from what I’ve read.
Overall I would have to say it’s a came and went sort of book.

It seems like there are a lot more unlikeable characters in this book than they normally have to such a degree Mrs. Adolf actually says next to nothing and is more the butt of appearance jokes.

Hands down the father is awful this time. The only good thing is that he didn’t show up in the end for a sappy “I knew you could do it,” line.
I do like how they actually show that he is giving it his all and studying his best for that A.

Spoilers
The real kicker is that Hank objectively didn’t receive an A. Not only didn’t he finish his presentation but didn’t show that his comprehension running out of the room mid-speech. While it is impressive that he was able to teach someone younger about Einstein he didn’t do what he was suppose to.

[Kaiden Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the book. I liked it because this book was about Hank Zipzer and I like this collection. This author is really good and makes you wanna sit down and read so much. I did a lot of reading today.

[Erin Walling · Rating 4 out of 5]

THIS BOOK IS GREAT !it mostly talks about hanks learning challenge . i recomend this book.

[Brett · Rating 3 out of 5]

I continue to enjoy Hank Zipzer more with each book.