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Rodney Rathbone #2
The Call of the Bully
Rodney Rathbone is back in this sequel to How to Beat the Bully Without Really Trying—but will his superstar reputation survive summer camp?Rodney Rathbone used to be a coward—but that was before he moved to a new town and discovered his courageous side. Now he has plenty of friends and a great reputation, and he’s looking forward to a fun-filled summer away at camp. That is, he was looking forward to camp. When Rodney encounters a new bully and an old nemesis out for revenge, his fears threaten to resurface—but with a little help from his friends in the “Loserville” cabin, he just might get by.
This warm-hearted follow-up to How to Beat the Bully Without Really Trying explores middle-grade insecurities with humor and heart.
This warm-hearted follow-up to How to Beat the Bully Without Really Trying explores middle-grade insecurities with humor and heart.
272 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
5 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
About the author
Scott Starkey
7 books10 followersA fifth grade teacher for over 17 years in Hicksville, New York, Scott Starkey's had plenty of firsthand experience exploring the reading habits of students. The elements they enjoy best in a book — humor, suspense, and a dash of irreverence — are woven into his Rodney Rathbone novels, How to Beat the Bully Without Really Trying and its sequel, The Call of the Bully.
Best-selling author Jim Trelease notes, “Scott Starkey really understands kids, school, and the language of both,” and calls How to Beat the Bully, “terrific, very well written, and right on target.”
A graduate of Hiram College in Ohio, Scott was raised around writing. His father has authored several scholarly works and his mother, Joanne Starkey, is a longtime food critic for The New York Times. Scott’s experiences accompanying her on restaurant reviews plays a surprise role in his third Rodney Rathbone novel, due out in January 2014.
Scott received an M.A. in Elementary Education from Adelphi University and a Professional Diploma from C.W. Post University at Old Westbury, New York. In addition to his writing career, he participates in anti-bullying events and continues to lecture on the subject. His other passion is encouraging young people to read. Knowing that half the battle for parents and teachers is finding books that can hook a kid’s interest, Scott makes sure that humor and adventure are never far from the action in his middle grade novels.
Scott Starkey resides in Long Island, New York, with his wife, Judy, and their three children.
Best-selling author Jim Trelease notes, “Scott Starkey really understands kids, school, and the language of both,” and calls How to Beat the Bully, “terrific, very well written, and right on target.”
A graduate of Hiram College in Ohio, Scott was raised around writing. His father has authored several scholarly works and his mother, Joanne Starkey, is a longtime food critic for The New York Times. Scott’s experiences accompanying her on restaurant reviews plays a surprise role in his third Rodney Rathbone novel, due out in January 2014.
Scott received an M.A. in Elementary Education from Adelphi University and a Professional Diploma from C.W. Post University at Old Westbury, New York. In addition to his writing career, he participates in anti-bullying events and continues to lecture on the subject. His other passion is encouraging young people to read. Knowing that half the battle for parents and teachers is finding books that can hook a kid’s interest, Scott makes sure that humor and adventure are never far from the action in his middle grade novels.
Scott Starkey resides in Long Island, New York, with his wife, Judy, and their three children.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 10, 2015
good
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 16, 2019
The book, Call of the Bully by Scott Starkey is about a boy named Rodney Rathbone. He is looking forward to camp but once he gets there he has a hard to fitting in. Rodney Rathbone used to be a coward, but that was before he moved to a new town and discovered his that he was brave. Now he has plenty of friends and has a big reputation, and he’s looking forward to a fun summer away at camp. That is, he was looking forward to camp ,when Rodney encounters a new bully and an old nemesis that are trying to ruin his summer. His fears that his summer is ruined, but with his friends in the “Loserville” cabin, he thinks he can still have a fun time.
In my opinion this book is good if you like humor. An example is when Rodney pushes his bully into a bonfire and he gets set on fire and runs into the lake. Another example is when Rodney slips and his food comes off his tray and it hits the bully right in his face. Whether your a boy or a girl you will like this book because the plot is very interesting. I would suggest this book to anyone.
In my opinion this book is good if you like humor. An example is when Rodney pushes his bully into a bonfire and he gets set on fire and runs into the lake. Another example is when Rodney slips and his food comes off his tray and it hits the bully right in his face. Whether your a boy or a girl you will like this book because the plot is very interesting. I would suggest this book to anyone.
August 22, 2024
“The Call of the Bully” by Scott Starkey is a great book to read. It is about a twelve year old boy named Rodney Rathbone, who has to leave his friends behind and go to a summer camp! Just as he believe that it is off to a great start, his trusted “friend” betrays him. He is innocently punished, but cannot leave the camp! He tries to find ways to leave the camp, but more mysteries are revealed along the way. It has an interesting story line and it is very unpredictable! I give this book 4 stars out of 5.
July 5, 2017
Rodney Rathbone has just survived the crazy school year and is heading into summer when his folks tell him that they enrolled him in Wy-Mee summer camp. And no just any summer camp, but one that Mrs. Lutzkraut has recommended for both him and Rodney's nemesis, Josh. Rodney spends the first part of the bus ride waiting for Josh to strike. But another accident saves Rodney and convinces Josh that it's safer to be friends with Rodney than enemies. Though this problem is solved, Rodney quickly makes an enemy of the camp's most wealthy and popular kid, Todd Vanderdick. When Mr. Periwinkle, clueless camp director, puts Rodney in Todd's cabin, things go from bad to worse. Finally, Rodney lands in the worst cabin in camp, known as "Loserville". But it is there that he starts making friends. "Our friends may be a bit odd, but they never cease to make life interesting." There's Thorin, who dresses like a wizard; Frank "aka" stinky and Fernando, a 12-year-old babe magnet. "Funny how evil sticks together."
All summer, Rodney must contend with psycho camp counselors, like Magnus and Woo; bullying adults like Mr. Cramps and Mrs. Periwinkle without any chance to phone his parents or Jessica. He even finds out that someone sabotages the letters that he has written home. Completely cut off, he must survive with the help of his new friends.
I think students will like this 2nd book in the series. Rodney, still the underdog, gives kids someone to relate to: someone with no power, dealing with the injustices of vindictive adults. Lots of humor, a little romance and a few surprises. And obviously gearing up for third book.
All summer, Rodney must contend with psycho camp counselors, like Magnus and Woo; bullying adults like Mr. Cramps and Mrs. Periwinkle without any chance to phone his parents or Jessica. He even finds out that someone sabotages the letters that he has written home. Completely cut off, he must survive with the help of his new friends.
I think students will like this 2nd book in the series. Rodney, still the underdog, gives kids someone to relate to: someone with no power, dealing with the injustices of vindictive adults. Lots of humor, a little romance and a few surprises. And obviously gearing up for third book.
December 9, 2013
Some of the same characters from the wildly successful How to Beat the Bully without Really Trying return in this follow-up title. Somehow, Rodney Rathbone's uncanny knack of avoiding bullies or using accidents to his advantage follows him when he is sent to Camp Wy-Mee. His schoolmate, Josh, is along for the ride too, but they bond on the first night of camp due to some unexpected fire and fighting. But trouble awaits Rodney in the form of wealthy camper Todd Vanderdick. Not only do he and his friends reside in a much nicer cabin than any of the other campers, but Todd is determined to make Rodney's stay at the camp quite unpleasant. Amid the arrival of his teacher Mrs. Lutzkraut, a plot to develop the camp and destroy the forest, and assorted girlfriend issues, Rodney makes his stand in a canoe competition that will determine the fate of the camp. Readers will enjoy his antics and his unheroic behavior as well as the scenes featuring his female alter ego, the lovely Rodweena Raauhhhsmith, and the lengths the protagonist will go to help his friends. I laughed at several of the scenes even while being puzzled by others such as the citizens who threaten Rodney's boat crew as they navigate the nearby waters.
January 8, 2013
I just finished reading The Call of the Bully and thought it was great. Even though it's supposed to be a book for young teens, or middle grade readers, I actually found it really amusing and exciting...and I'm an adult. My son also liked it a lot and said it was a good follow-up to the first book, How to Beat the Bully, which I think I'll go back and read. This book really captured summer camp and had a ton of good writing. I would recommend for parents who are looking for "real" books for their kids that are exciting and well written.
February 1, 2013
Hilariously funny! Honestly, reality wise, no boy is the center of so much attention! How many adults would act so much like juveniles?? That woman, yes that woman, is so purely focused on that boy. Why? Sure he probably has no respect for her and all that but how many other kids are the same? Kinda ridiculous if I think about it long enough, but this great book had me holding in laughter in my math class so people who already look at me weird won't have another opportunity. Cn't wait to check out more by this author!
April 25, 2014
Sequel to How to Beat the Bully Without Trying. This time Rodney is sent to a two month long summer camp. Hi jinks and adventure follow him as he ends up in the cabin full of losers and the enemy of the most popular, rich, spoiled brat. The only thing that could make matters worst is that his evil sixth grade teacher arrives.
July 29, 2014
In this follow-up to How to Beat the Bully Without Really Trying, Rodney again battles bullies (mostly adult ones). Many funny situations will keep the reader laughing, but mean isn't funny in my book and the improbable situations went a bit “overboard”.
July 23, 2013
Fun book I'd encourage my kids to read.
June 30, 2014
This book is full of lots of surprises. I enjoyed how it shows how Rodney is a chicken. Its funny how Rodney gets a lot of luck.
January 30, 2018
I think this is a hilarious book because no one has ever seen Rodney actually throw a punch. Rodney Rathbone, a self-admitted coward, is sent to a camp Camp Wy-mee with one of his greatest enemies, Josh. It seems that Rodney is always saved by something in a dangerous situation. After a fight breaks out between Josh and Rodney, Josh is suddenly hit by a car. By the time Josh wakes up, he doesn't remember being hit by the car and believes that Rodney knocked him out. "How come you fight so well, Rodney?" said Josh after he wakes up.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews