Lui è innamorato e passa buona parte del suo tempo a farsi bello, lei pensa solo allo sport e non vuole che si tocchi la sua mazza da hockey.. Anche se sono fratello e sorella, Megin e Greg non potrebbero essere più diversi e tra loro non tarda a scoppiare una vera e propria guerra a base di scherzi pestiferi, il tutto sotto gli occhi disincantati e ironici del fratelllino più piccolo. Finché, quando la situazione sembra del tutto compromessa, i due scoprono che in fondo si vogliono bene, anche se andare d'accordo non è per niente facile. E chissà che, una volta cresciuti, non si riesca addirittura a diventare amici.
Una storia piena di umorismo, raccontata a due voci da personaggi con i quali e inevitabile identificarsi.
When Jerry Spinelli was a kid, he wanted to grow up to be either a cowboy or a baseball player. Lucky for us he became a writer instead.
He grew up in rural Pennsylvania and went to college at Gettysburg College and Johns Hopkins University. He has published more than 25 books and has six children and 16 grandchildren. Jerry Spinelli began writing when he was 16 — not much older than the hero of his book Maniac Magee. After his high school football team won a big game, his classmates ran cheering through the streets — all except Spinelli, who went home and wrote a poem about the victory. When his poem was published in the local paper, Spinelli decided to become a writer instead of a major-league shortstop.
In most of his books, Spinelli writes about events and feelings from his own childhood. He also gets a lot of material from his seven adventurous kids! Spinelli and his wife, Eileen, also a children's book author, live in Pennsylvania.
this is such a perfect book. i probably haven't read it since i was around 12, when i was still younger than the kids in the book, but some of these lines were as familiar to me as if i'd read it every year since the sixth grade. greg and megin tofer and their rivalry never quite left my craggy old heart, i guess. i have probably never laughed so hard while reading a book as i did reading this, but by the end of it i found myself choking up - maybe because i'm home sick and i'm irrationally emotional or maybe it's just because i'm older now, and i know more about the complicated love between brothers and sisters and parents.
as a writer, it's interesting for me to revisit something after so many years and be able to pick out my roots. between this and animorphs, i don't think i had any choice but to become a writer myself, because they made me love character and dialogue so much. i was unsurprised to find little writing tricks that i learned from this.
i loved the way he revealed his characters and who they were at their cores and how they grew and changed through the events in the story. even though plot and story was very important, very lively, very engaging in this, character always came first. megin is such a little spitfire, such a ferocious, precocious little brat, who loves hockey and donuts and her little brother and lonely people, and i love love love reading strong female characters like her. she was funny and sweet and horrible and i was rooting for her so hard and when she hurt, i hurt. greg, on the other hand, despite being older, was the one who needed to grow up the most. he's a total wiener. reading this now as an adult who has very little (aka zero) tolerance for nonsense from boys, i was a little worried, because i was worried that i hadn't understood when i was young that this character's behaviour was problematic and unhealthy, because a lot of it really was. i realized that i knew a dozen greg tofers in school - and i know a few still now, because unfortunately, some greg tofers never grow up. but this one does, and i was so happy. good job, jerry spinelli. and it was greg and megin's story, but the supporting characters were just as good. everyone from their parents to their little brother to greg and megin's friends all had identities and voices of their own. i would have read a story about any one of them.
not only did spinelli write awesome, flawed, fully-developed characters to delight and frustrate and inspire young readers, his actual writing was perfect. this is aimed at kids from age 10-14, but it is in no way dumbed down. it is consistently funnier than most young adult and adult fiction i've read. it's just as touching. it's as well-told. it's smart. it's told by a man who respected his audience enough to give them his best writing.
i love this. i can't wait until the next time i read it.
Jerry Spinelli wrote this humorous and heart warming story about a sister and brother with completely different personalities. The perspectives go back and forth between both Megin and Greg where they share what its like to be living in a house full of sibling rivalry. They never seem to get along with each other, until an unexpected event brings them together closer than ever before. Throughout every chapter, events that lead up to the understanding of one another occur, which show different everyday problems along the way. While Greg deals with his social love life, Megin is having difficulty with friendship. I could really relate to this book since I live in a house with two brothers and we constantly argue. This book made me realize that one has to appreciate their family, no matter how much they ask for. I would recommend this book to anyone who feels that they can’t stand their brothers and sisters anymore. I believe the book did a good job of making me understand the importance of a healthy family relationship.
I am familiar with Jerry Spinelli and his books, so I decided to give Who Put That Hair in My Toothbrush? a try, despite its un-assuring title. I am glad I did not judge the book in that way because I ended up enjoying WPTHMT to a surprising level. It was such an amazing, hilarious, inspirational book that five stars was an understatement. I enjoyed how Megin and Greg had their own nicknames for each other. It was surprising that I knew the book so well in the beginning that when I first heard Greg mention 'Megamouth' I knew it was Megin, and when Megin labeled her brother 'Grosso' it was easily Greg. It also helped, however, that they both mentioned Toddie, their little brother. I think that if a reader understands the book very well in the beginning of the story already, then the author must be a good one to describe it so much and yet so subtly.
This brother-sister rivalry is best explained with different perspectives, which is just what Spinelli did. The format earned WPTHMT another half-star, and then some. It also gave me the idea to do the same type of thing: different perspectives, or first-person with a bunch of people. Funny thing is, Spinelli always gives me an idea: either the theme of a book, the font of a book, the format of a book, the name of a book! If Spinelli had planned to be inspirational, he sure reached his goal.
I also liked how in the end, all the story came together. I thought that Jennifer,Valducci, Zoey, Ellie, and the doughnuts were all just extras. But it turns out they were all useful. I especially found myself loving how Zoey and 'Toddsie' were 'planning their wedding already.'
A must-read and a must-have for your library shelf!
Sibling rivalry at its finest! Greg and Megin just can’t seem to get along. Whether it’s at school, ice hockey rink, or at home. They battle with hockey sticks, cockroaches, donuts, and hair! Will it take a tragedy for them to realize they actually care for each other?
Greg and Megin fight everywhere, anytime, about anything. They pull pranks with donuts, hair, and cockroaches but when something terrible happens to Greg will Megin be there to save him or will she leave him to die in pain.
I think the main point of this story is that siblings may fight a lot but when one of them are in trouble, the other(s) will definitely care.
My favorite part in this book was when Megin put a cockroach into Greg’s room and he screamed like a girl! I wish I could do that to my brother while videotaping him and totally humiliate him.
I like this book because each chapter it changes the point of view, first Greg starts the story off with a introduction of their family and what hates and likes, then in the next chapter Megin introduces herself and what is her schedule what she calls an average day and so on. It’s interesting because it changes the point of view every chapter and it makes the book a lot more lively. It’s much better than a book that has the same point of view for the entire book it sort of makes the book boring and dull.
I think this book is for ages between 10 and 12 because it has some swares in it. I think if you have a older or younger sibling you’ll like this book, because siblings fight and if you have a sibling(s) I bet you do to.
I reread the living snot out of this book when I was a kid and I decided to read it as an adult to see if my 13yo daughter might appreciate it.
So imagine my surprise upon reading Megin and her friend speculating whether or not the new girl (who is THIRTEEN) is a virgin! (There are no other references to sex anywhere else in this book written for kids.) Or Greg’s dirtbag, annoying friend, who has a crush on Zoe, asking Santa for “(moves hands to indicate a woman’s curves).” OR Zoe looking beautiful in the kimono (😬) she gives Megin, and Megin hears “strange gulping noises that I think were coming from my father.” I’m sorry, her FATHER?? About a THIRTEEN YEAR OLD CHILD. And then Zoe strips naked in front of Megin and her friend and bends her foot up on the bed to clip her toenail.
Also Greg is an asshole, he uses a girl who isn’t as pretty as he thinks he deserves and then he decides he wants her just because someone else has her. But that’s small potatoes compared to the sexualization of a 13 year old.
Love my Spinelli. The book is written in two voices -- each distinct -- of the two siblings, Megin and Greg. Chapters switch back and forth with each telling his or her side of the communal plot. The plot builds and the two siblings, who seem to despise one another, find a way to get along. What I really love about Spinelli is how he captures teens. His characters -- and this book is no exception -- are realistic because they are imperfect and sometimes stupid. And they are typical. You know kids like these. Or you were one yourself. It is what reading is all about -- connecting with the story and the characters. The story-line is tightly written, each part important and entertaining. it's really clever how the two stories wind around each other and moves forward. Don't worry, he doesn't repeat each even simply from the other character's point of view -- the plot marches on. In summary, the book is relatable and entertaining. You feel good when you're reading.
I can relate to this book a lot because I, like Megin, have a sibling rivalry with my older sister. I think what really set off Megin to run away was when Emilie died which was her best friend and they always went to go get some french crullers. She was like the main thing that connected Megin to her older brother Greg. When Emilie died, Megin just felt lost and unloved. Her father had grounded her recently and her brother has hated her for so long. But I think when Megin saved her brother from drowning in Homestead Lake, that's when they realized they really needed each other and that they started to realize that they love each other no matter what happen they will always have the same blood and they would always be relative
I'm done! I can relate to this book a lot because I, like Megin, have a sibling rivalry with my older brother. I think what really set off Megin to run away was when Emilie died. She was like the main thing that connected Megin to her older brother Greg. When Emilie died, Megin just felt lost and unloved. Her father had grounded her recently and her brother has hated her for so long. But I think when Megin saved her brother from drowning in Homestead Lake, that's when they realized they really needed each other. This book was true to heart, sad, and even hilarious at parts. Overall, this book is the best book I have read so far! GO JERRY SPINELLI!
Another of Dave's favorite childhood books that I finally got around to reading. Published in 1984, it includes the great middle school book subjects of sibling rivalry, sleepovers, school plays, a popular girl from far-away California, crushes, and the egg baby project in Health class. Set in suburban Pennsylvania, it features both ice hockey and Dunkin Donuts--are you sure this isn't Massachusetts? Strangely, both the middle-school-aged siblings in this book have their own TVs in their rooms. Published in 1984, it has some good 1980s references to Vidal Sassoon shampoo, leg warmers, Wayne Gretsky, and more. A very sweet book about family--and being there when it really matters.
I love Jerry Spinelli books. Mostly I love that the characters in his books aren't completely modernized (I can't stand books that tell you what brand of popluar jeans the character is wearing, or what they're listening to on their ipod). His characters are timeless, and his story telling is fabulous.
This book is a back and forth between a brother and sister. The reader will walk through the lives of each sibling, through their school, classes, with friends, and at home. It was a book for me to read after a long day at school.
The characters and situations are ones that you can easily relate too. I loved the ending and would not change any part of the story.
My daughter read this for school and then she gave it to me to read. Probably 2.5 stars but I just can't make myself give this 3 stars so I'll round down a little.
Alternating chapters from the point of view of two siblings who don't get along.
It was just boring. I didn't care about any of their fights or problems or family situation. I'm not the target audience and I understand that.
This book is not about a hair in a toothbrush. It is about a kid who likes a girl but she moved. He later starters to fall in love with his other friend. This book is really funny.
Didn't quite hold up for me on this read-around. The voices did feel very middle-grade which is good, but some of the conversations just felt a little too adult/strange. And the book was, inevitably, a little dated.
I read this until it fell apart. Then I taped it together and read it some more. The stamp in the front cover says I got it from a grade school book fair...'89 or '90 is my guess.
In 1986 Dell’s Large Leaf Books under special arrangements with Little Brown released Jerry Spinelli’s children’s novel “Who Put That Hair in My Toothbrush?” This hilarious book features three Tofer family siblings. The sibs include a young toddler nicknamed Toddie, a 7th grader Megan (Megamouth), and a 9th grader Greg (Grosso). The book is a collection of first person narrative storylines told by Greg and Megan. These storylines are about their combative school, family, friendship, and interpersonal life event challenges. No one in the entire Tofer household are at peace with each other as the siblings fight over events such as snowboarding, hypnotic sleeping, sport competition, school assignments, eating treats, challenging friendships, near death experiences, and adventures with celebrity sport heroes like ice hockey legend Wayne Gretzky. The sibling rivalry narratives are thought provoking; and during a very interesting one year chain of events, Greg and Megan experience a deeply transformational and inspiring love relationship with each other. (P)
This is one of my comfort books. My copy is practically falling apart because of how many times I've read it. Yes the book is old and some parts don't hold up( "in fact, everybody was boggled. Dead boggled silence, except for some faint gulpy noises I think were coming from my father" It's a seventh grader in a kimono bro ewwww and the whole thing about Zoe worshiping Haley's comet and some of the stuff Greg does is jerky and probably wouldn't fly today) but it's still a five because I love the way the siblings lives interact, there's this part where Megan trips her brother on the frozen lake and sends him into a "couple of ninth-graders" and then in the next chapter from Greg's perspective he say he just tripped on his own (lol) and that the ninth-graders he ran into are his crush and the guy she's been going out with. I love Megan's friendship with Emilie, an old woman in the local nursing home. I love their sibling rivalry, the donut fight is beautiful, and I love how it gets resolved. I cry every time I read the ending because it's so great.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Who Put That Hair In My Toothbrush? (one of my least favorite Jerry Spinelli titles, frankly - Megin knew IMMEDIATELY) captures the truth of sibling dynamics, which I found especially relatable, since I have essentially the same age difference with my younger sister. It's less the traditional concept of "rivalry" and more a case of occupying separate worlds, where the other sibling is seen as almost an abstraction. Spinelli presents this so well with his alternating narratives (compelling in their own right) where each sibling's arc of growth is made complete when harsh realities of the world result in renewed perspective of the other. This is easily one of Spinelli's best books.
This is my favorite jerry spinelli book. He's from norristown, pa, which is in the same county as my parents. When he won the new berry award for maniac Magee, I'm pretty sure my mom used her library connections, and we met him and got him to sign something. I didn't like or didn't understand maniac Magee nearly as much as I like this one. I've read it so much, I'm pretty sure I've memorized certain parts of it. It's about a brother sister teen rivalry. The brother is obsessed with some girl who moved away and the sister loves ice hockey, donuts, and seeing her older woman friend. It should be a classic.
Un libro divertido y apto para toda la familia. Tiene un encanto único con esa forma de ir mezclando ideas y valores muy importantes con sucesos cómicos y tópicos de la adolescencia y las riñas entre hermanos.
Los adolescentes se verán reflejados, los jóvenes se divertirán recordando sus fechorías juveniles y padres y madres no podrán dejar de reírse reconociendo a alguno de sus hijos en la historia.
Y el detalle de la edición de tener los bordes exteriores de las páginas verdes lo hacen un libro original, un buen regalo.
3.5 Caruccio, ma avrei voluto leggere qualcosa di più. Per più dell’80%, la storia si incentrava su dispetti o situazione di poco conto. Non c’era nulla di concreto. Le cose accadevano troppo velocemente. Ottimo il finale, ma anche quello è stato flash. Mi sarebbe piaciuto vedere più materiale perché la base c’era. Personaggi particolari, molto caratterizzati, i protagonisti un po’ tossici direi, ma spezziamo una lancia in loro favore perché adolescenti, per non dire bambini. Lettura piacevole e veloce. Fine.
I read this as part of my cleaning out my bookshelf getting rid of kids books I never read so... The title of this book was rather dramatic. The hair on the toothbrush happened on page 34 and was not revisited. Overall though, an interesting glimpse into the life of siblings. I liked the switching perspectives, but the plot just kind of meandered. Not a bad read, but not a particularly riveting one either.
This was a funny book that I had been wanting to read because a while back I started reading it but then I just stopped. I choose to re read the beginning and finally finish it! I loved Megan as a character she was a real spit fire! I loved reading her chapter but for her older brother Greg not so much! He was very immature and I hated how he treated Sara in the beginning of the book! Sara deserved better!
This was my favorite book in elementary school. I must have read it dozens of times. Every time I was asked my favorite book on any form for school or otherwise, this was what I listed. I'm 27 now and during my pandemic doldrums I thought I should pick this book back up, see what I thought of it now probably 20 years later. This book is touching and sweet and I see why I loved it. I wouldn't call it my favorite book of all time anymore, but it still holds a place in my heart.
I remembered specific scenes from this book when I read in as a kid. I re-read it as an adult and it holds up very well. The characters are well developed and the relationships are realistic. There is a good amount of humor but the heart of the book is the touching story of two siblings trying to figure out their way in the world as they release their frustrations out on one another. This book has a few moments that capture gems of life as a teenager.
This novel highlights the trials and indignities of a tumultuous sibling rivalry while transporting you to the mind and viewpoint of a the brother (Greg) and the sister (Megin) in alternating chapters. A beautifully written story of teenage love, death, unlikely friendships, high school, drama, and growing up. Holds value for all ages, but especially young adults.
A fast-paced, quick read for younger YA population. The characters are fresh and real. The action is fairly realistic and, although I do not have a brother, I can see my friend's animosity towards her brother as we were growing up. Spinelli has a clear understanding of the love-hate feelings between siblings. Recommended.
this was a cute book about sibling rivarly think most of us with siblings get it lol.. Greg and Megin fight about everything lol from doghnuts to roaches to ice hockey etc and even argue over the little brother Toddie..parents get to fits end and then a small accident finally brings them together..great young adult book for kids..enjoy