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Spider Boy
Humorous story about a boy's adjustment to new surroundings and kids in a new school. Packed with fascinating facts about spiders, the story is told through journal entries and scenes of events. Contains a spider bibliography.
Paperback
First published April 14, 1997
25 people are currently reading
139 people want to read
About the author
Ralph Fletcher
77 books186 followersRalph Fletcher is a friend of young writers and readers as well as writing teachers. He has written or co-authored many books for writing teachers includng Writing Workshop: The Essential Guide, Teaching the Qualities of Writing, Lessons for the Writer's Notebook, Boy Writers: Reclaiming Their Voices, and Pyrotechnics on the Page: Playful Craft That Sparks Writing. Ralph has worked with teachers around the U.S. and abroad, helping them find wiser ways of teaching writing.
Ralph's many books for students include picture books (Twilight Comes Twice, Hello Harvest Moon, and The Sandman), novels (Fig Pudding, Flying Solo, and Spider Boy), poetry (A Writing Kind of Day and Moving Day), and a memoir, Marshfield Dreams: When I Was a Kid. His novel Uncle Daddy was awarded the Christopher medal in 2002. He has also written a popular series of books for young writers including Poetry Matters, Live Writing, and A Writer's Notebook. Ralph lives with his family in New Hampshire. He is a strong environmentalist who believes we all must work together to live in a more sustainable way. His other passions include travel, good food, dark chocolate, growing orchids, and sports.
Ralph's many books for students include picture books (Twilight Comes Twice, Hello Harvest Moon, and The Sandman), novels (Fig Pudding, Flying Solo, and Spider Boy), poetry (A Writing Kind of Day and Moving Day), and a memoir, Marshfield Dreams: When I Was a Kid. His novel Uncle Daddy was awarded the Christopher medal in 2002. He has also written a popular series of books for young writers including Poetry Matters, Live Writing, and A Writer's Notebook. Ralph lives with his family in New Hampshire. He is a strong environmentalist who believes we all must work together to live in a more sustainable way. His other passions include travel, good food, dark chocolate, growing orchids, and sports.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
May 15, 2015
This book is really interesting because it talks about spiders. The story is about a kid who has tarantulas. One of the tarantulas is called Thelma. I would recommend this book to spider fans because it has facts about tarantulas.
September 27, 2018
SPOILER ALERT!!! Bobby Ballenger moved from Naperville Illinois, to New York. When he moves, right away he notices a boy with dark black hair, this boy is Chick Hall. Chick calls Bobby "Spider Boy" because of his large interest in any spider, and his knowledge in any species. When Bobby sees Chick cheat on a test, he tells the teacher, and to get him back, Chick kills Bobby's new pet spider Monk.
Some of the main characters in this book, are Bobby Ballenger, Chick Hall, and Lucky Prescott. These people are mentioned multiple time throughout this novel. The protagonist in this novel, is Bobby Ballenger, and the antagonist, is Chick Hall, who bullies Bobby. The MAIN character, is Bobby, and is always the number one person talked about. Chick Hall, however, is not the main character, but is talked about a lot throughout the novel.
I personally could not relate to anything in this story. I say this because the story is about a boy who just moved and feels out of placed and is getting bullied multiple times. I have never moved in my life, and don't usually feel out of place, or that I am being bullied in my life. I could also not be able to relate to any of the characters in this story. The characters are either, the bully, the new guy, or the girl that is a friend to all, and also the new person.
I did like this book, because there were good, humorous parts, and also some very sad parts. I was a little bit skeptical at first, because i didn't know what to think at the beginning of the story. My favorite part of this book, was when Chick thought he snitched on him for cheating on the test, and he fought him. This was my favorite part, because of the description of the fight. My least favorite part of the book was when Chick put Bobby's pet spider Monk in the freezer, and killed him. This was my least favorite part, because it was very sad to hear what people will do because of a dumb reason. The author made lots of emotions happen really well. This is because he has funny parts, sad parts, and some parts that just make you straight up ANGRY. Although the author did lots of things really well, i think that he could have made some of the dialogue better, and made some of the emotion IN the dialogue better.
I would recommend this book to almost anyone. I would recommend this book, because it has good characters, a good story line, and in my opinion is just a good book in general. The main kind of people that I would recommend is the people who like a good story, with good points and lots of facts that you probably didn't know In the book itself.
Some of the main characters in this book, are Bobby Ballenger, Chick Hall, and Lucky Prescott. These people are mentioned multiple time throughout this novel. The protagonist in this novel, is Bobby Ballenger, and the antagonist, is Chick Hall, who bullies Bobby. The MAIN character, is Bobby, and is always the number one person talked about. Chick Hall, however, is not the main character, but is talked about a lot throughout the novel.
I personally could not relate to anything in this story. I say this because the story is about a boy who just moved and feels out of placed and is getting bullied multiple times. I have never moved in my life, and don't usually feel out of place, or that I am being bullied in my life. I could also not be able to relate to any of the characters in this story. The characters are either, the bully, the new guy, or the girl that is a friend to all, and also the new person.
I did like this book, because there were good, humorous parts, and also some very sad parts. I was a little bit skeptical at first, because i didn't know what to think at the beginning of the story. My favorite part of this book, was when Chick thought he snitched on him for cheating on the test, and he fought him. This was my favorite part, because of the description of the fight. My least favorite part of the book was when Chick put Bobby's pet spider Monk in the freezer, and killed him. This was my least favorite part, because it was very sad to hear what people will do because of a dumb reason. The author made lots of emotions happen really well. This is because he has funny parts, sad parts, and some parts that just make you straight up ANGRY. Although the author did lots of things really well, i think that he could have made some of the dialogue better, and made some of the emotion IN the dialogue better.
I would recommend this book to almost anyone. I would recommend this book, because it has good characters, a good story line, and in my opinion is just a good book in general. The main kind of people that I would recommend is the people who like a good story, with good points and lots of facts that you probably didn't know In the book itself.
August 29, 2011
In "Spider Boy" it starts off with a boy named Bobby that has everything he needs. A good home, a happy family and a trusty pet turanchula named Thelma. Bobby feels as if home could never be as good as this but then realizes a tragic news given to him. He has to move to Paltz, New York for his fathers new job. This means no more football,mike, chad, any of his best friends. Now he and his only friend Thelma have to survive in there new atmosphere.
Upon ariving to New York all Boby feels is emptyness. He first feels as if nobody notices him and not only that Thelma also isnt feeling her new home which worries Bobby because of the fact that shes not eating. In school making friends isnt the easiest thing that Bobby can handle and for luch has nowhere to sit. The biggest mistake Bobby made was to go sit near Chick Hall. The schools top swimmer and a jock that as soon as they comfront eachother starts the teasing.
As the teasing continues and not so much popularity comes his way Bobby one day is asked to present a class project and explain to the class what his father does for a living. So he makes up a story out of the boredome and says he owns a silk farm. And teling other teachers other things they all start to wonder. So one random day Bobby is asked to go to the councilors office to talk to her about some things. But as he tells his story is quickly figured out by her. After calling his parents for a conference Bobbys parents stert to worry about him.
Upon ariving to New York all Boby feels is emptyness. He first feels as if nobody notices him and not only that Thelma also isnt feeling her new home which worries Bobby because of the fact that shes not eating. In school making friends isnt the easiest thing that Bobby can handle and for luch has nowhere to sit. The biggest mistake Bobby made was to go sit near Chick Hall. The schools top swimmer and a jock that as soon as they comfront eachother starts the teasing.
As the teasing continues and not so much popularity comes his way Bobby one day is asked to present a class project and explain to the class what his father does for a living. So he makes up a story out of the boredome and says he owns a silk farm. And teling other teachers other things they all start to wonder. So one random day Bobby is asked to go to the councilors office to talk to her about some things. But as he tells his story is quickly figured out by her. After calling his parents for a conference Bobbys parents stert to worry about him.
May 15, 2018
Read for school. Book was okay but not a book I would pick. NOT fond of spiders. More of a boy book.
February 14, 2012
Spider Boy is the new kid in school. He hates it. He’d rather spend time with his pet tarantula than make friends. When his science teacher pairs him with another girl in class he is forced to communicate with others. While 7th grader Bobby likes being with her, he is bothered by the fact she likes Chick Hall, a boy who has been bullying him since day 1. When Bobby catches Chick cheating on a test things escalate in a dramatic climax.
Great pacing, plot, and characters. I loved how this book incorporated nonfiction elements with fiction elements. I kept thinking of students I should recommend it too and how I had never read a book quite like it. Fletcher uses facts about spiders in each chapter as a way of explaining what is happening to the character. At first they are just facts, but as the story proceeds more personal information is sprinkled in with the facts while relating to what is happening to Bobby. For instance, when Lucky kisses him the facts are about spiders mating and when Chick attacks him the facts are about spiders predators and Bobby says how he feels about it. The bully, Chick Hall, isn’t one dimensional and Lucky tries to explain that she likes Chick because he isn’t boring. She doesn’t acknowledge or recognize his mean streak.
Great complexity of characters and situations.
Great pacing, plot, and characters. I loved how this book incorporated nonfiction elements with fiction elements. I kept thinking of students I should recommend it too and how I had never read a book quite like it. Fletcher uses facts about spiders in each chapter as a way of explaining what is happening to the character. At first they are just facts, but as the story proceeds more personal information is sprinkled in with the facts while relating to what is happening to Bobby. For instance, when Lucky kisses him the facts are about spiders mating and when Chick attacks him the facts are about spiders predators and Bobby says how he feels about it. The bully, Chick Hall, isn’t one dimensional and Lucky tries to explain that she likes Chick because he isn’t boring. She doesn’t acknowledge or recognize his mean streak.
Great complexity of characters and situations.
November 4, 2016
Seventh grader, Bobby, is living in New Paltz, New York, far from his longtime home in Illinois. He is unable to accept this new house as his home, and yearns to be back with his friends in Illinois, even leaving his watch set to central time so he can think about where his friends are and what they are doing, any time of the day.
As he starts in his new school, he is quickly nicknamed Spider Boy, when the class jock and bully, Chick Hall discover his love of spiders. Bobby has a pet tarantula, Thelma, which he is extremely worried about, because she has been very inactive and not eating since the move. Bobby puts up with the bullying from Chick, but troubles escalate when a new honor system is started at the school, and Bobby witnesses Chick cheating. Unsure of whether he should tell on Chick or not, Bobby is not prepared for the consequences of what would happen if he does.
I'm reading this book with a group of fifth graders, some who did not want to read it at first, and they are all LOVING it! They are amazed at all of the facts about spiders that occur throughout the book, and one of the girls who didn't want to read it just said, "I know what we should do! We should make a poster with a tarantula on it, and include a lot of these facts about spiders so others will want to read the book!" LOVE it!
As he starts in his new school, he is quickly nicknamed Spider Boy, when the class jock and bully, Chick Hall discover his love of spiders. Bobby has a pet tarantula, Thelma, which he is extremely worried about, because she has been very inactive and not eating since the move. Bobby puts up with the bullying from Chick, but troubles escalate when a new honor system is started at the school, and Bobby witnesses Chick cheating. Unsure of whether he should tell on Chick or not, Bobby is not prepared for the consequences of what would happen if he does.
I'm reading this book with a group of fifth graders, some who did not want to read it at first, and they are all LOVING it! They are amazed at all of the facts about spiders that occur throughout the book, and one of the girls who didn't want to read it just said, "I know what we should do! We should make a poster with a tarantula on it, and include a lot of these facts about spiders so others will want to read the book!" LOVE it!
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September 10, 2018This book was really interesting for me because he had to move from his hometown. Bobby took the move hard also like me, and the things he said about his feelings from the move was so relatable. The other thing that caught my eye was the spiders. I’ve learned a lot from reading this book about those insects and they’re all really interesting creatures. The spiders in this book can be as big to where they can’t catch a bird and as small as a period. I also know that Bobby’s move was harder than mines because he was getting bullied by this kid named Chick (yeah weird name). It was also hard for him because his Spider Thelma wouldn’t eat & that just made it a lot worse, he ended up liking the place he stayed at and he got to talk to his friends and stuff. But catch this when Bobby started to get happy so did Thelma so maybe the spider wasn’t happy because Bobby wasn’t happy. Bobby began to like his new home around the end of the book because he actually started trying to like where he stayed & ended up doing so. The part of the end that was a great ending was when Bobby said the house he was at felt like home because at the beginning he wouldn’t call the house his home but things changed. It was a really good book & I would honestly read another one.
October 3, 2014
Spider Boy
Ralph Fletcher
Bobby is a student that has a hobby different from other normal children. He is obsessed with spiders, and spider facts, and pretty much anything to do with these scary yet amazing creatures. Bobby is constantly made fun of at school for his obsession but uses his knowledge of spiders to turn his classmates into arachnophobes. In the end Bobby is a likeable character and an intelligent one too.
I enjoyed the book but it would not be considered one of my favorites. I think some of the ideas that Ralph Fletcher uses are pretty funny even though its mean to Bobby. The children would shout at him and say "Spider boy, spider boy, spider boy from Illinois"(31).
I review this book a 4/5 because it was enjoyable but humorous and like I said not my favorite choice of novels. I recommend this to people that like to read about kids there age going through struggles and want to relate to an imaginary character. And to people around 12 and up.
Joey Pinney
Ralph Fletcher
Bobby is a student that has a hobby different from other normal children. He is obsessed with spiders, and spider facts, and pretty much anything to do with these scary yet amazing creatures. Bobby is constantly made fun of at school for his obsession but uses his knowledge of spiders to turn his classmates into arachnophobes. In the end Bobby is a likeable character and an intelligent one too.
I enjoyed the book but it would not be considered one of my favorites. I think some of the ideas that Ralph Fletcher uses are pretty funny even though its mean to Bobby. The children would shout at him and say "Spider boy, spider boy, spider boy from Illinois"(31).
I review this book a 4/5 because it was enjoyable but humorous and like I said not my favorite choice of novels. I recommend this to people that like to read about kids there age going through struggles and want to relate to an imaginary character. And to people around 12 and up.
Joey Pinney
June 3, 2014
I read Spider Boy with my 9 year old. The author got me in trouble with my husband and I nearly died laughing at one point. I may write him a letter!! lol... We loved this book but I may have loved it the most. My husband yelled at me to keep the noise down one night because I couldnt stop laughing over a prank Bobby pulled near the beginning. I think my own fear of large hairy spiders fueled my response but it is a good, relatively quick read for 3rd-4th graders. Some themes: Spiders, Tarantulas, Friendships, Bullies, Moving/Missing Friends, Science/School Projects, Boy/Girl Friendships, Cheating/Integrity, Loss, Forgiveness, New Beginnings. Also lots of real facts about spiders!! We loved that part of the book.
October 16, 2012
This book was really interesting and I think it was pretty good. I noticed that the author made eveything start new for Bobby. For example, Thelma shed her skin giving her a "new life", then Chick Hall stopped bullying Bobby and he said that he now felt more at home. I really liked how the author ended it this way so I am happy with it. I also liked how Bobby's friends came and helped Bobby out with actually making his room fit for him. This really showed that he has friends and is trying to start something new. So maybe the author was trying to show that if you feel like your life could be changed you should try it and it just might work.
February 22, 2015
Spider Boy by Ralph Fletcher
Bobby Ballenger is starting at a new school thousands of miles away from his old house. He moved from Illinois to New Paltz, New York. His interest in Spiders has earned him the nickname spider boy back in his old town. Bobby is very worried about his pet tarantula because it hasn't eaten since they moved. Bobby keeps a journal of cool spider facts, like how long each spider lives and their diet.
I would recommend this book to any boy around my age or a little younger. This book is a slow paced book and is a little boring at parts but saves up for a good ending.
Bobby Ballenger is starting at a new school thousands of miles away from his old house. He moved from Illinois to New Paltz, New York. His interest in Spiders has earned him the nickname spider boy back in his old town. Bobby is very worried about his pet tarantula because it hasn't eaten since they moved. Bobby keeps a journal of cool spider facts, like how long each spider lives and their diet.
I would recommend this book to any boy around my age or a little younger. This book is a slow paced book and is a little boring at parts but saves up for a good ending.
September 10, 2015
I have a complete aversion to spiders, despite my efforts to befriend them, or at least not scream and kill them right away. Reading Spider Boy reminded me of why it's important to work towards overcoming my fears and challenges. Bobby, 13 and in the 7th grade, moves to New Paltz, NY, and because of his knowledge of spiders and a couple of outlandish tales, gets nicknamed, "Spider Boy from Illinois." One popular kid named Chick begins to pick on him relentlessly. Bobby's story is compelling written with humor and believable characters. Readers from grades 4 to 9 should find this a "good read." :)
October 31, 2011
A 7th grade boy in a new school learns to adjust after moving to NY from IL. He experiences bullying, deals with lying and cheating issues along with interracial friendships, girls and forgiveness. He loves spiders. At the beginning of each chapter we read in his journal about spider facts and a few things about himself, then it switches to third person. There is some symbolism involved with the spiders and their reactions to their environments and quiet periods/changing times/molting and new starts. William (age 10) enjoyed the book.
July 18, 2013
Owen is obsessed with Fletcher's book "Guy Write," so he was really happy to read a fiction book by his writing guru. I was impressed with Fletcher's writing too, because it gave us so much to discuss. It was a well-crafted book, and we could relate what was going on with the spiders and the spider journal to Bobby's life. And it was hip enough to appeal to all types of kids, being a cool realistic fiction book. This is not Owen's usual genre at all, so I'm glad he was able to stretch himself and enjoy something he normally wouldn't have read.
August 8, 2010
Bobby has just moved to New Paltz and is not liking his new situation. Fortunately, he has Thelma, his pet tarantula to help him adjust. His knowledge of spiders earns him popularity at his new middle school. Some of this popularity, however, is the unwanted kind from the class bully and his gang. Bobby makes a couple of good friends, but the bullying harassment escalates to a surprising degree. Italicized entries about spiders from Bobby's journal are interesting and enlightening.
May 6, 2013
Bobby is new to the town, and he has almost no friends. But his best friends are the spiders. That's why he's called the spider boy.
I think this is one of my best books I read. It is just so good for my reading level. It is also my favorite book by Ralph Fletcher. I think he should write his other books like this, too. It was just so great. It has high description. I just like it.
I think this is one of my best books I read. It is just so good for my reading level. It is also my favorite book by Ralph Fletcher. I think he should write his other books like this, too. It was just so great. It has high description. I just like it.
December 3, 2013
I read this book as part of my 7/8 grade LLI groups at school. It isn't the most exciting book, but it does cover topics kids can relate to such as moving to a new school, friendship, and bullying. The main character, Bobby, goes through a major transformation from the beginning of the story to the end, which makes it a great text to use while instructing students.
January 29, 2010
Grade 7 boy must get used to new school and surroundings. Has two tarantulas to keep him occupied. The journal he keeps shows that he has the mind of a scientist. A well-rounded character and a nice story.
March 7, 2012
I thought that this book was good because it was realistic fiction and most of my friends know i like RF. This book was exceptionally powerfull in describing Bobby's (the main character) thoughts and feelings. This is a great book. Take my advice and read this book. 8/10.
December 4, 2012
I think the book was good because I thoght that this is a real life story which i liked a lot about the book there was some scary parts. there was lots of parts where i feel what the characters emotions and that was great that I was in his story.
April 24, 2014
This book is the novel for the gold kit in Leveled Literacy Intervention. It is geared towards fourth grade reading level. I really liked the message the author was conveying about being a new student and how to cope with that. I can't wait to read it with my students after vacation.
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October 12, 2015Fletcher will be visiting our middle school
Bobby moves from IL to NY, has pet tarantulas, knows a lot about spiders, keeps a journal, inter-racial friend, experiences bullying, reporting cheating anon, Bobby is 7th grader, reading level is elem
Bobby moves from IL to NY, has pet tarantulas, knows a lot about spiders, keeps a journal, inter-racial friend, experiences bullying, reporting cheating anon, Bobby is 7th grader, reading level is elem
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 8, 2008
The life of spiders. I thought I would't like it because I personally hate spiders. But it turned out to be a pretty good book.
July 3, 2008
As real as middle school stories can be--also a fast read. Both boys and girls would enjoy this book.
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May 21, 2009JEAR3-Fle
January 27, 2010
FUCK THIS FUCKN BOOK IS SOOO FUCKN GOOD
Currently reading
August 29, 2011so far its an interesting story about a teenager that moves to a new state and is trying to fit in.... but he has a facination for spiders
February 2, 2012
This is a DRA 40 book if you need information. BTW, this book is awesome! This is what I read when I forgot to bring my book for reading log.
August 16, 2012
liked it, especially since I met and had dinner with Ralph Fletcher this year. would recommend to middle school students; bullying/moving themes
March 5, 2013
Enjoyable! And I learned so much about spiders that I just might like them now!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews