Boris for the Win

Boris #3

by Andrew Joyner

For a determined warthog like Boris, adventure is always just around the corner!

This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line called Branches, which is aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow!

Go Boris! It's Field Day, and Boris is ready to run like he's never run before. All he wants is to beat Eddie, who always wins everything. And all his friend Frederick wants is not to come in last...again.

Who will make it across the finish line first? And when Boris is faced with a big decision, will he go for the gold or help a friend in need? Ready, set, go!

Genres: Chapter Books, Childrens, Friendship, Fiction, Juvenile, Picture Books, School Stories

80 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Andrew Joyner is an internationally published illustrator and author. His popular books include The Terrible Plop, written by Ursula Dubosarsky. He lives in South Australia

Reviews

[Ellen Zarate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Boris is a cool warthog who is finding his way through life and elementary school. Good kid. Good stories. Good lessons. This is a fun early chapter series.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Boris is a warthog that you would really enjoy having as a friend. In this book he and his friends are very tired of Eddie always winning. But instead of whining about it they set to work to run faster and jump higher with a daily routine of training. In the end Boris finds out it isn't always about winning the race and, that when your inner character shows up, you are always a winner.

[Nicola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Theme: Friendship is more important than winning. Hard work and perseverance pay off.

Miss 3 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Boris and his friends decide to train for field day so they can try to beat champion Eddie in an event. But when it comes down to it, Boris chooses friendship over winning. Adorable.

[Melanie Swider Wenz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Teaches the importance of teamwork and fairness, not just winning.

[Mrs. Lombard's Class · Rating 4 out of 5]

IT was not funny but IT was fun to read. IT has 7 chapters. I like the twist in the book.

[Ella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book with my four year old brother. (We switched off every other page except when he got grumpy and tried to make me read every page that had a picture of a person running on it.) This whole series is adorable, and not too difficult for my brother to read. Although I'm still mad at him for skipping ahead to look at the pictures and see who won the race! ;)

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the third book in a series featuring a warthog named Boris by Andrew Joyner. We liked the first two books in this series, so we thought we'd check the others out.

This is a fun tale and I love Boris's imagination. I liked his discipline for training and pursuing his goal (even if the goal was to beat a bully), and of course I liked his sense of fair play and loyalty to his friend. We did discuss the fact that he could've finished the race and then gone back to support his friend, but it wouldn't have made for as much drama.

Overall, we enjoyed reading this book together. It's a combination of a chapter book and graphic novel and it's a fun, fast read.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Boris is getting ready for Field Day. He wants to beat Eddie who is the best at everything. Boris and his friends create their own course in his backyard so they can practice all the events. With persistence and determination they worked every day, and as is the way with practice, they got better. The day of the races came and despite their preparation, Eddie still was winning every event. Then came the longest race. Boris was determined to win this one. He got off to a great start despite Eddie's friends trying to slow him down. Just when the finish line was in sight, Boris made a choice that many others in his place would not have made. Who would you rather be Eddie who wins all the time? Or Boris who is a great friend? I love this new series for beginning chapter book readers. The story is cute and the illustrations are great fun!

[Shelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boris books are perfect for students reading at a second grade level. When I was an elementary school librarian it was challenging to find books written at this level that make reading fun, Boris does this. If elementary schools and primary classrooms purchase the entire Boris series they will be rewarded with excited readers.

In this adventure Boris and his Fredrick are sick of loosing at all the school sports activities to Eddie, a rude braggy classmate who is a poor winner. Boris, Fredrick and their friend Alice train everyday after school at a makeshift obstacle course, preparing themselves for the next school competition. I loved the values of hard work, determination and friendship that were shown in this small chapter book/ picture book for young readers.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Boris and his two best friends, Alice and Frederick, want to do well during the upcoming school field day, and they embark on a training program. All three of them get stronger, and Boris actually runs faster than Eddie, the school's superathlete. But just as he nears the finish line, Boris realizes that Frederick is lagging far behind and ready to quit. His resulting actions show that there is more than one way to define winning. I love this series with its warthog protagonist, funny illustrations, and positive messages about life choices.

[Mary Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boris dreams of winning the big race at school. He practices and works hard. But when it comes down to the big day, he's faced with a big decision: will he go for the gold, or help a friend in need? Kids will relate to Boris, the goofy little warthog who’s the star of this very easy beginning chapter book. They’ll love the cartoon illustrations and the way Boris manages to make adventures out of everyday things.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 3 in the Boris series.
The fun and adventures continue as Boris and his friends get ready to compete in Field Day at their school.
Nice story about friendship and competition. Great use of color and illustrations. This series continues to be a useful transition from picture books to chapter books.

[The Brothers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book to read with my beginning reader (Dex - 5yo) because he could sound out some of the words on his own, the story kept him interested, and the illustrations were colorful and engaging.

It was a fun (short) chapter book on working to meet a goal and friendship. I loved how in the end Boris choose being a good friend over winning. It's a good lesson to teach my kids.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s field day at Boris’ school! He doesn’t want Eddie to win like he always does, and Boris’ friend Frederick doesn’t want to come in last, like usual. They stage a plan to practice and train. Will their attempts pay off?

This beginning chapter book with lots of pictures was a good fit for a read-aloud for my four year old son!

[Jean-Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brand new readers will enjoy reading the illustrated Boris early chapter book series. This one has a nice message about friendship and competition.

[Heather Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

megan summer reading 2016, children's book, chapter book, series, boris, running, sports, practice, trying, first grade, second grade,

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book because I like to win. I also enjoyed this book because Boris won in a race.