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Justin Case #3
Rules, Tools, and Maybe a Bully
Justin Case made it through third grade and summer camp in the previous two books. Now he's in fourth grade, and there's even more to worry friends, bullies, grades, tests―and did we say bullies? Once again, Rachel Vail and Matthew Cordell bring to life all the worries and triumphs of elementary school life, in diary form. Fans will relate to Justin and his adventures.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published May 6, 2014
15 people are currently reading
110 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Vail
56 books455 followersBirth
I was born on July 25, 1966, in NEW YORK CITY, and grew up in New Rochelle, NY, with my mother, my father, and my younger brother Jon. (And down the street from my future husband, though of course I didn't know that until much later.)
Interests
Some details, I do know-I was very into reading and theater, so I read every book I could get my hands on (especially realistic fiction, either contemporary or historical) and took acting workshops and auditioned for every play in school, camp, or the community. I played Peter Pan, Miss Hannigan in Annie, Benny Southstreet in Guys and Dolls, the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz, and lots of extremely memorable chorus parts-for instance, I was "girl number two" in Fiddler on the Roof-the one who said "We heard about your sister, Chava". I didn't care -I just wanted to be on stage. Waiting backstage before curtain call, after giving my all in a performance, was the best feeling I knew. In seventh grade I started taking magic lessons, and by eighth grade I was making all my own spending money by performing at kids' birthday parties as a clown named Tallulah. I liked the freedom of wearing all that grease-paint-I could be as wacky and un-cool as I wanted. I tried dance but felt so clumsy. I faked a sprained ankle to get out of the recital. I took voice lessons which made me a little light-headed (and I was afraid of the voice teacher's growling, drooling Doberman) and both saxophone and piano, neither of which I ever practiced. I did well in school but started a lot of my work at the last minute, in a crazy mad dash, so that it was never late but there were usually careless errors or areas I had to fudge. I had this idea that to work hard at something was sort of a negative, an admission that I didn't have natural talent. If I wasn't going to be Mozart and have the music (or dance, or math, or social studies term paper, or whatever) channeled through me from God, then I was just embarrassing myself by all that workmanlike effort. I didn't get over that idea until after college, by the way.
Career Ambitions
I never really planned to be a writer. I planned to be a financial wizard after learning about option-spreading at age 10, then a poet after discovering Shakespeare at 11. After overhearing "the real power is held by the lobbyists" on a class trip to Albany, I planned to become a lobbyist. Secretly, of course I always imagined myself as an actress, but that didn't seem hard or important enough, and also I worried I wasn't naturally gifted enough.
Parents
My parents were always great. I liked to make them proud, and they trusted me and supported my efforts and interests, which was sometimes weirdly tough. There was so little for me to rebel against.
As a Kid
When people ask me what I was as a kid, I always feel like my answer is at best incomplete.What are you like, as a kid? I'm still trying to figure out what I'm like as an adult.
Socially
Well, things went in waves. Sometimes I felt very "in", very aware of and tied in to the whole scene, excited by who liked whom, all the gossip, some of it less than kind. Other times I felt so alone-like there was nobody like me, nobody who liked me, nobody to talk to. And much of the time it was somewhere in between. A best friend when I was lucky, and a few people in each crowd I liked and who liked me. I resisted being classified as a brain or a jock or alternative or popular-too limiting. I would have to shut down too many parts of myself to be just one type.
Adolescence
I went through a very intense stage in middle school (Junior High). I worried about being too ordinary. I also worried about being too weird. I also worried about changing states of matter, my inability to be morally certain, ignorance (my own and world-wide), and making a fool of myself.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/rachel...
I was born on July 25, 1966, in NEW YORK CITY, and grew up in New Rochelle, NY, with my mother, my father, and my younger brother Jon. (And down the street from my future husband, though of course I didn't know that until much later.)
Interests
Some details, I do know-I was very into reading and theater, so I read every book I could get my hands on (especially realistic fiction, either contemporary or historical) and took acting workshops and auditioned for every play in school, camp, or the community. I played Peter Pan, Miss Hannigan in Annie, Benny Southstreet in Guys and Dolls, the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz, and lots of extremely memorable chorus parts-for instance, I was "girl number two" in Fiddler on the Roof-the one who said "We heard about your sister, Chava". I didn't care -I just wanted to be on stage. Waiting backstage before curtain call, after giving my all in a performance, was the best feeling I knew. In seventh grade I started taking magic lessons, and by eighth grade I was making all my own spending money by performing at kids' birthday parties as a clown named Tallulah. I liked the freedom of wearing all that grease-paint-I could be as wacky and un-cool as I wanted. I tried dance but felt so clumsy. I faked a sprained ankle to get out of the recital. I took voice lessons which made me a little light-headed (and I was afraid of the voice teacher's growling, drooling Doberman) and both saxophone and piano, neither of which I ever practiced. I did well in school but started a lot of my work at the last minute, in a crazy mad dash, so that it was never late but there were usually careless errors or areas I had to fudge. I had this idea that to work hard at something was sort of a negative, an admission that I didn't have natural talent. If I wasn't going to be Mozart and have the music (or dance, or math, or social studies term paper, or whatever) channeled through me from God, then I was just embarrassing myself by all that workmanlike effort. I didn't get over that idea until after college, by the way.
Career Ambitions
I never really planned to be a writer. I planned to be a financial wizard after learning about option-spreading at age 10, then a poet after discovering Shakespeare at 11. After overhearing "the real power is held by the lobbyists" on a class trip to Albany, I planned to become a lobbyist. Secretly, of course I always imagined myself as an actress, but that didn't seem hard or important enough, and also I worried I wasn't naturally gifted enough.
Parents
My parents were always great. I liked to make them proud, and they trusted me and supported my efforts and interests, which was sometimes weirdly tough. There was so little for me to rebel against.
As a Kid
When people ask me what I was as a kid, I always feel like my answer is at best incomplete.What are you like, as a kid? I'm still trying to figure out what I'm like as an adult.
Socially
Well, things went in waves. Sometimes I felt very "in", very aware of and tied in to the whole scene, excited by who liked whom, all the gossip, some of it less than kind. Other times I felt so alone-like there was nobody like me, nobody who liked me, nobody to talk to. And much of the time it was somewhere in between. A best friend when I was lucky, and a few people in each crowd I liked and who liked me. I resisted being classified as a brain or a jock or alternative or popular-too limiting. I would have to shut down too many parts of myself to be just one type.
Adolescence
I went through a very intense stage in middle school (Junior High). I worried about being too ordinary. I also worried about being too weird. I also worried about changing states of matter, my inability to be morally certain, ignorance (my own and world-wide), and making a fool of myself.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/rachel...
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
March 13, 2022
Justin is moving up to 4th grade and that means lots of changes. Fortunately he has a supportive family as well as his Stufties and Knights to talk things out with. Gingie and Poopsie (his grandparents) show up and share stories from their childhood that help Justin to cope with the uncertainties in his life. His dog Qwerty is as unpredictable as ever. Justin used toilet paper and glue to help little sister dress up like their dog for Halloween. There are so many great elements to this third book in the series. His new teacher Mr. Leonard has expectations about "transitions" and building their "toolboxes." They also need to be "silent like sharks" in the halls and use BOOCH (Book Of Our Own Choice) time to read independently. An innocent conversation with his mom ignites the Penelope Ann Murphy Kerfluffle. Old friend Noah is not responding well to the new friends Justin made at summer camp and is acting out physically. Some of the kids decide to form a Screwdriver Club and cause a classroom crisis. I really loved this series and the illustrations. To support my point, I am going to end this review with one of my favorite passages from this book (excerpt from November 30, Tuesday re the upcoming holiday concert):
At the same time as we are singing and then playing our recorders and then singing again, we have to stand nicely on the risers and not wiggle, jiggle, or push one another or poke anybody's back with our recorders. You would think these grown-ups had never met us.
At the same time as we are singing and then playing our recorders and then singing again, we have to stand nicely on the risers and not wiggle, jiggle, or push one another or poke anybody's back with our recorders. You would think these grown-ups had never met us.
November 13, 2014
I adore poor worried Justin Case and his stuffties and his parents and how they work out all his problems.
August 11, 2018
We were delighted to discover this third Justin Case book, which continues the story through the first half of fourth grade. Gently humorous throughout, and yet quite thoughtful, tender, and sweet. This book focuses especially on navigating the many "rules" of life and social interactions, which can often seem dauntingly at odds with one another. It also engages the challenges of friendship, being kind and patient, and responding to rough behavior. Justin is a most endearing young protagonist and narrator, and his simple perspective on life and other people is often quite poignant. Wonderful book.
December 11, 2024
I have not been super impressed with this series. While Justin manages to overcome the challenges he faces in each book, the next book seems to have him back at square one, worried about everything and passively letting life happen to him. While some of the droll humor did elicit a laugh, overall I felt like I have basically read the same book three times now.
A younger reader might be less critical than me, but as this is my review I just feel like there could have been more here.
A younger reader might be less critical than me, but as this is my review I just feel like there could have been more here.
May 6, 2017
As funny, most of the time, as School, Drool, and Other Daily Disasters! Justin's in fourth grade where some bullying is more of a problem for him than worrying. Very realistic, good mix of funny and serious.
January 12, 2017
The third installment of Justin’s life, Justin Case: Rules, Tools, and Maybe a Bully by Rachel Vail, covers the 1st of September just before he starts 4th grade and ends on the 31st of December. Justin is his typical self, worrying about everything, but also starting to grow out of it and figuring things out about the world, maybe, just a little. Like the other two Justin Case books, this one is adorable and fun to read. We loved it!
December 19, 2016
This review pairs Rules, Tools, and Maybe a Bully and Charlie Bumpers vs. the Squeaking Skull.
In their latest adventures, both Justin Case and Charlie Bumpers deal with elementary school friendship woes. In Justin Case: Rules, Tools, and Maybe a Bully, Justin’s problems come in the form of a feud with his second best friend, Noah, who begins to physically bully Justin when Justin starts making other friends. For Charlie in Charlie Bumpers vs. the Squeaking Skull the problem centers on Halloween plans. Charlie’s friends want to watch a scary movie, despite the fact that Charlie’s mom doesn’t think it is appropriate and Charlie is secretly terrified of horror films.
In his third book (following Justin Case: School, Drool, and Other Daily Disasters and Justin Case: Shells, Smells, and the Horrible Flip-Flops of Doom) Justin Case continues to be a wonderful hero for underdogs everywhere. His intense internal life, which includes acting out his emotions through his toy stuffties, makes him come across as a real boy, and his observations about the way his classmates interact with one another are often so honest, they make the reader laugh in recognition and appreciation. By showing us details of Justin’s friends’ personalities filtered through Justin’s own unique worldview, the author creates an excellent portrait of the dynamics in Justin’s fourth grade class. Also wonderful are the wry comments Justin makes on the way things are done in fourth grade as compared with third grade and the rambling essays he turns in for his teacher’s various writing assignments. Just like the first two Justin Case books, this one is completely entertaining from start to finish, with an important and well-handled lesson about bullying and standing up for oneself.
Though this is the third Charlie Bumpers book (following Charlie Bumpers vs. The Teacher of the Year and Charlie Bumpers vs. The Really Nice Gnome), it is the first one I have read. What is impressive about Charlie is that he is just a regular kid having regular experiences. This is the kind of book I most preferred as a child, and it’s nice to have new titles for this generation that don’t always rely on gimmicks to grab the reader’s interest. It was especially interesting to read this book on the heels of Rules, Tools, and Maybe a Bully because both books deal with friendship problems among boys. This is a common theme in lots of pink-covered books for tween girls, but it doesn't come up as much in books where the main characters are boys. Since social problems are a major part of elementary school for both sexes, it is wonderful to have books that represent that experience from the male perspective. Also well done in this book are the scenes where Charlie’s older brother tries to help him recover from his fears by scaring him out of his mind every night in his bedroom. They are reminiscent of scenes between JD and his brother in The Great Brain.
Both Justin Case and Charlie Bumpers are great fictional role models for boys (and girls) in grades 2 to 5, and they are fun to read about, too. Parents seeking books that model healthy friendships and family stability will be pleased to discover both series.
In their latest adventures, both Justin Case and Charlie Bumpers deal with elementary school friendship woes. In Justin Case: Rules, Tools, and Maybe a Bully, Justin’s problems come in the form of a feud with his second best friend, Noah, who begins to physically bully Justin when Justin starts making other friends. For Charlie in Charlie Bumpers vs. the Squeaking Skull the problem centers on Halloween plans. Charlie’s friends want to watch a scary movie, despite the fact that Charlie’s mom doesn’t think it is appropriate and Charlie is secretly terrified of horror films.
In his third book (following Justin Case: School, Drool, and Other Daily Disasters and Justin Case: Shells, Smells, and the Horrible Flip-Flops of Doom) Justin Case continues to be a wonderful hero for underdogs everywhere. His intense internal life, which includes acting out his emotions through his toy stuffties, makes him come across as a real boy, and his observations about the way his classmates interact with one another are often so honest, they make the reader laugh in recognition and appreciation. By showing us details of Justin’s friends’ personalities filtered through Justin’s own unique worldview, the author creates an excellent portrait of the dynamics in Justin’s fourth grade class. Also wonderful are the wry comments Justin makes on the way things are done in fourth grade as compared with third grade and the rambling essays he turns in for his teacher’s various writing assignments. Just like the first two Justin Case books, this one is completely entertaining from start to finish, with an important and well-handled lesson about bullying and standing up for oneself.
Though this is the third Charlie Bumpers book (following Charlie Bumpers vs. The Teacher of the Year and Charlie Bumpers vs. The Really Nice Gnome), it is the first one I have read. What is impressive about Charlie is that he is just a regular kid having regular experiences. This is the kind of book I most preferred as a child, and it’s nice to have new titles for this generation that don’t always rely on gimmicks to grab the reader’s interest. It was especially interesting to read this book on the heels of Rules, Tools, and Maybe a Bully because both books deal with friendship problems among boys. This is a common theme in lots of pink-covered books for tween girls, but it doesn't come up as much in books where the main characters are boys. Since social problems are a major part of elementary school for both sexes, it is wonderful to have books that represent that experience from the male perspective. Also well done in this book are the scenes where Charlie’s older brother tries to help him recover from his fears by scaring him out of his mind every night in his bedroom. They are reminiscent of scenes between JD and his brother in The Great Brain.
Both Justin Case and Charlie Bumpers are great fictional role models for boys (and girls) in grades 2 to 5, and they are fun to read about, too. Parents seeking books that model healthy friendships and family stability will be pleased to discover both series.
September 26, 2016
Essential reading for kids dealing with friends who become frenemies...and gives some great advice about how to deal with bullies, even if that bully used to be your best friend.
June 21, 2014
Fourth grader Justin Case is trying to feel his way through his new grade and get to know his new teacher's expectations. As he tries to put some of his anxieties behind him, he makes some new friends and takes some chances. But he also realizes that one of his friends might just have a tendency to bully others, including himself. As Justin tries to figure out what to do about Noah and whether he trusts Cash, a boy he met earlier in camp and to whom no one ever says no, he faces some tough choices. What I particularly liked about this book is how it shows how quickly someone can go from being accepted to being picked on and how being left out can make someone want to lash out. Justin's ruminations on Noah's behavior and the way his classmates treat him when they think he is a tattletale are absolutely right on and serve as great examples for classroom discussion. The text, written in a series of diary ruminations, and the illustrations portray many of the perils of fourth grade. I'm betting that many readers will relate to Justin's fears. After all, it seems as though each teacher has his/her own different set of rules and expectations, and it can be challenging to figure out what is expected.
August 22, 2014
This is the perfect read aloud book for fourth graders to start the school year. Justin is a worrier- he has been a worrier in all three of his books, but he thinks maybe he won't be such a worrier because he is a fourth grader now. Well, Justin never expected that he would make new friends in fourth grade or that his second-best friend to start bullying him. Justin takes all of Noah's abuse, trying to understand Noah and understanding that violence isn't the answer. As the story (and bullying progresses, Justin's mom leans toward violence, though, which is funny!). The story is told so softly, just like a worrying child might talk about something he is afraid of - very quietly. Plenty of topics for discussion on making friends, being friends, tattle-taling and bullying.
November 6, 2015
In this third Justin Case book, he is starting fourth grade. Cash, who he was at camp with in his previous book, is in his class and Justin has mixed feelings about being Cash's friend. On the one hand, Cash seems to be very popular. On the other hand, he is doing things that Justin isn't entirely comfortable with. This also puts Justin at odds with Noah, who has been his second best friend forever. Justin's honest opinions and wry sense of humor make this book a joy to read. Kids of all ages will relate to Justin struggle between doing what is right and what is popular, and having to choose between new friends and old. Recommended for grades 3-5.
September 27, 2014
Justin, a worrier, thinks things through, often with the help of his stuffed animals. Fourth grade offers a unique set of opportunities and challenges: a friend who might also be a bully, a new kid rolling in coolness whose every opinion and suggestion are answered with "yeah," girls who are friends (a growing paradox), and the coolest prank ever! Good story. Likeable weirdo protagonist.
November 10, 2015
I am so sad this is the last book in the series and it was the best!!! The treatment and education on bullying for the elementary to middle school set was spot on incredible with an entertaining 4th grade protagonist that you can't but help to cheer on.
November 16, 2014
Read aloud with my son. What I appreciated in this book is that it provided a common dilemma of how to manage new friends and changing old friendships with a realistic solution. Books is funny and interesting on its own, but I also think would be a great book for any social group.
May 21, 2015
I like how this book has a realistic story. Justin is going back to school. He tries his hardest to get through 4th grade. The writing is very effective. I recommend this book to anyone who likes realistic fiction.This book is part of a series. However, this is the last book in the series.
November 26, 2015
Great for 3rd Grade Boys!
My 10-yr old loves the Justin Case books. I read aloud to him every night. The only complaint is the topic of Bad Guys, which scares our son so that he ends up sleeping in our room for a few nights. FYI
My 10-yr old loves the Justin Case books. I read aloud to him every night. The only complaint is the topic of Bad Guys, which scares our son so that he ends up sleeping in our room for a few nights. FYI
June 30, 2014
Justin has come a long way, but he's still a bit of a worrier. And fourth grade offers plenty to worry about, from expressive-eyebrow teachers to recess drama to bullying.
March 7, 2016
Clever! Funny! I liked this one more than the first one.
January 19, 2017
Now in fourth grade, Justin Case deals with the perils of juggling friends, bullies, tests, and grades.
March 29, 2017
Very funny book. The main character is intriguing. I loved being able to be inside his head for this story. I think this book would be relatable to many kids who are introverted and have a difficult time sharing their feelings and thoughts.
April 3, 2017
My son and I loved the Justin Case series.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews